Moving takes a lot of patience, especially when the whole family is involved. Whether you’re moving down the block or to a different hemisphere, you’ve got some tough choices to make. For most of us, a move also means it’s time to declutter our homes, a procrastinated chore for most. However, decluttering your home doesn’t have to be a headache. With this guide, you’ll have no trouble starting fresh at your new place!
Where to Start Decluttering Your Home
Decluttering can feel like a never-ending project, especially when you’ve got a lot to go through. While this task can seem daunting, you should remember that by doing this, you’re allowing yourself to have a fresh start throughout this move.
We recommend starting as early as possible, whether that’s after you’ve sold your home or even before you begin looking for a new place to live. Be proactive during this period to ensure you’ll be finished and ready to move your necessities to your new place!
It’s easiest to get rid of items you use the most minor first. These will be simple to throw out or donate without much thought. Begin with things like old medications, food, unused clothing, older technology or cables, and your junk drawer are the perfect starting points.
How to Let Go
The hardest part of decluttering for most people is letting go of sentimental items. It’s hard to know whether or not parting ways with our things is the right thing to do at the time. Luckily, there are ways to hold onto the memories of these items without them taking up physical space in our homes.
As you sort through your items, take plenty of pictures. Whether you keep that old sweatshirt or decide to donate it, you’ll always have a photo to remind yourself of all the wonderful memories that the sweatshirt holds.
Remember that you don’t have to say goodbye to everything, especially when you get to items that hold a heavier emotional significance. There’s nothing wrong with having special items. Decluttering is about letting go of the things you no longer need.
Other Decluttering Tips & Tricks
There are many ways to declutter your home successfully. When deciding what route to take, prioritize a method that best fits your lifestyle.
Use Piles: Organize all of your things into piles. This is perfect for visual packers who need to see the items as they work. Piles like “keep,” “trash,” “donate,” “sell,” and “shred” can help make decisions.
Create a Checklist: Inventory lists are easy to read and great for quick decision-making.
Declutter Room-by-Room: Sorting through everything all at once can feel overwhelming. Instead break things up by going room-by-room, deciding what stays and what goes.
Now, you’re ready to sort through your things and make the tough decisions. Remember, you don’t have to say goodbye to everything, but you’ll be glad you can start fresh and clutter-free in your new home.
