Note: Moving during COVID-19 requires extra precautions. Make sure to wear a mask, keep social distance and follow CDC guidelines. Read more in our post on moving during a pandemic.

It’s time to move! You’ve committed to the new house, or the new job across the country, or that cute apartment just across town.

Movers and packers will pack and move everything if you ask them to, but then, you’ll have to deal with the whole pile of clutter on the other end and you’ll have to pay to move it. In other words, the more clutter, the higher the moving cost. The best way to cut down on both — decluttering.

For some, decluttering can be an intimidating and difficult process. It is not easy saying goodbye to precious belongings. However, we share tips and tricks to make the process easier.

Determine Which Items To Purge & To Pack

Whenever you’re ready, take a hard look at your possessions and thin the herd. Here are a few questions that will help you make the difficult decision of whether to get rid of that thing you think you need.

  1. Does it give you joy? If an object doesn’t make you happy, get rid of it. This simple question will help you shed guilt over that gift your friend gave you that you never really loved, or that inherited item that your beloved family member probably didn’t care that much about anyway.
  2. Do you use it? If you’re saving something because you think you’ll use it someday, because you loved it once but haven’t touched it in a year, because you think it will become a collector’s item even though it’s currently worth about 99 cents, or because you just know you’ll fit into it again after that diet, you probably don’t need it in your life. If the item was never used in the past or present, then expect the same for the future. 
  3. Does it fit into your new life? The answer might actually be yes. Maybe you have a new design scheme in mind, and that Japanese lantern will fit right in. Although, if you prefer to have shelves that are clutter-free and give you peace when you look at them, then the answer is no. In which case, all of those cutesy figurines you collected in a fit of late-night shopping need to be left behind. 

Remember: people change. Lives change. It’s OK. Let it go.

Next Steps to Take After Eliminating Items

Donate Items

Donate items that have been gently used and can still fulfill their purpose, such as: toys, clothes, or even those cutesy figurines we just discussed. It may not be for you; but it can be for someone else. 

Giving away items is a great way to declutter and also an ever greater way to support your community. Your selfless act could leave a positive impact on the lives of families, friends, neighbors, or those in-need. Not to mention, it feels good to give, causing those hard feelings that come with decluttering to melt away.

Sell Items

Also, as you declutter, you may find that some items hold monetary value and are in relatively “like-new” condition. But, no matter how much value they hold, there is only one way to obtain it — by selling the item. A belonging with monetary value is not a strong enough reason to keep it, especially if the belonging does not give you joy, is no longer in use, or does not fit into your new life. 

There are plenty of apps that make selling items easy. Simply, take a good picture of the item, upload it into your preferred app (or website), choose your price, and the buyers will come. Not only is this a great way to declutter, but you will also make some additional cash that can help you with your move. 

Throw Items in The Trash

Any items that are not quite in the best condition to be sold or donated, toss them in the trash. It is best to keep garbage bags nearby. Therefore, whenever you come across these items you can throw them out, right away.

The quicker they are thrown away, the less likely you are to change your mind about keeping the item. Simple, toss it out and keep moving forward with your decluttering process.

Like we mentioned earlier, decluttering may be difficult at first. However, once you begin, you will feel refreshed and have a lighter, more happier move.

For more questions about your move regarding organization and preparation or to get a free, virtual moving quote, please contact us. We would be more than happy to share additional information.