Moving? Take this Opportunity to Declutter

Moving? Take this Opportunity to Declutter

Decluttering. You hear this term over and over again when it comes to selling your house and preparing for a move. It’s a nightmare – getting rid of all of the things you don’t want people to see or that you don’t want to take with you. But it’s oh so worth it in the end – a clean start in your new home.

Start Right Away

It doesn’t matter if your move is going to be in 6 weeks or 6 months, start the process of decluttering as soon as you know you’re going to move. Don’t put it off. Don’t tell yourself it will be easier to pack and declutter when you unpack. It’s not easier, and you’ll save money on packing supplies if you have less stuff to take with you.

One Space at a Time

Don’t overwhelm yourself. Take things one closet or drawer at a time – definitely not an entire room at a time. You’ll have more time to focus on what you really use and want to keep and you won’t have to worry as much about making a snap decision you’ll regret later on.

Shred Old Documents

Don’t carry around old documents you no longer need. Put the old, outdated documents that are decades old and no longer necessary for record keeping purposes in their own box. You can either shred them yourself or take them to a secure drop-off point at a local office supply store for shredding.

Prepare Yourself

What will your options for each item be? Create a box for packing, a box or bag for donations, and a box of bag for the trash. Those should be your only options. If you’re really not sure, create one extra box for items you aren’t sure about. Otherwise, pack it, donate it, or trash it.

It’s OK to Let Go

Don’t keep things that have no place in your life simply because they used to have some sort of sentimental value. If they’ve been tucked in a closet or drawer, out of sight, they aren’t doing you much good either way. Sometimes it is better to get a fresh start – away from the memories of old jobs or past friendships and relationships.

The same goes for your collection of gadgets, whatever they may be – household cleaning items, kitchen gadgets, and things that just take up space but were cool in a time and a place. If you don’t use it with some sort of regularity, even yearly, get rid of it.

If you’re selling your home, your real estate agent is going to tell you to declutter anyway. You may as well get a head start on the process. You may or may not decide to get rid of even more stuff when you are unpacking, but getting rid of the clutter before you go will save you a lot of extra work in the long run.