How to Declutter for a Long Move
How to Declutter for a Long Move
Let’s be honest; moving can be stressful. From remembering to cancel your utilities to making sure you forward your mail, there always seems to be something to forget along the way. A longer move makes that process even more challenging. After all, forgetting something during the move makes a short car ride to solve the problem impossible. Long-distance moving requires an amount of organization that’s quite frankly stressful to sustain.
That’s why the easiest solution is to remove some of the items from your plate – literally. Taking the time to declutter before a move can benefit you in a lot of ways. It makes the packing phase much easier, for starters, and it can even reduce the expenses of moving.
But most importantly, downsizing is a surefire way to ease the stress that comes with moving. But the question remains: where do you begin?
Here’s a few tips to make the process of downsizing just a little easier.
Have a Box For The Essentials
Regardless of how you plan to go about downsizing your belongings, you should always have a box or storage container for your essentials. When we say essentials, we’re talking about non-perishable food, phone and computer chargers, a sewing kit, toilet paper, a change of clothes and a first-aid kit.
In addition, if you or your family members take medication regularly, make sure you have a prescription refill stashed away. Be sure to prep your box of essentials prior to anything else. You’d be surprised how quickly you can forget to do this when you’re in packing mode.
This can also help you declutter your bathroom and bedroom closets as well. Since you’re prepping your essentials, you can simultaneously toss out anything you see in your bathroom and bedroom closets that you know you will either never use or is beginning to show too much wear.
Learn to Let Go
Most people have things they’re sentimental about. However, clinging onto something that doesn’t hold a lot of sentimental value can take up space. We’re not saying to throw away everything you hold dear, but if there’s something you really don’t need, it’s best if you let go.
Granted, it’s not easy to let something go for some people, so you should consider practicing the art of letting do. Think to yourself, “Do I need this?” or “What can I do with this?” If you can’t think of any way it can be useful, then you need to let it go.
Consider Donating or Selling Some Items
Downsizing doesn’t always mean you have to throw away everything. There are alternatives such as donating and selling. Donating things like clothes, shoes and food is a great way to downsize and help those who are less fortunate.
Selling items such as old furniture and trinkets is also a great way to make a bit of money to put toward the moving expenses. People have debated on which one is better, but the choice is ultimately yours to make.
Look Out For Dust
In most cases, dust is nothing more than an allergy trigger. When it comes to moving and downsizing, however, dust is your ally. Dust is actually a great way for people to determine whether or not something is going to be of use.
If you notice something that has accumulated a lot of dust, consider what the item is and how you could use it. If you can’t think of anything, donate, sell or throw it away.
Ask Your Friends or Family
Downsizing can be very stressful; sometimes it might even provoke a few tears. If you feel like you’re overwhelmed and can’t seem to part with anything, don’t hesitate to ask your friends or family members for help.
They can help you determine what’s useful and what’s not. Furthermore, they may even take some of the stuff off your hands so you don’t have to waste time throwing it away or trying to sell it.
The Bottom Line
As exciting as moving to a new home can be, trying to downsize can be the exact opposite. The best way to avoid feeling overwhelmed is with planning. About a month before your move, set aside 30 minutes a day to go through each room and decide what stays and what needs to go.
This blog is provided by SmartBox Moving and Storage
Photo provided by SmartBox Moving and Storage
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