Moving to a new house can be a stressful process. The process is made even more stressful and labour-intensive if you’ve accumulated too many possessions. From planning and packing to moving and unpacking, the fewer possessions you have, the easier the whole process will be. It’s only natural that after settling into a home we accumulate items and build up a large collection of possessions we don’t really need.
When it comes to moving, it’s time to be ruthless and finally decide what is useful and essential and what needs to go. Hiring movers to help you pack and move is a great idea to ensure a smooth transition. Here are a few tips you may want to consider to help you declutter and prepare for the big move.
1. 15 Minutes per Day
Dedicate 15 minutes each day solely to the purpose of decluttering. It is amazing what you can get done in 15 active and productive minutes when you focus on one specific job. Ensure you do this every day and, before you know it, the clutter will be disappearing before your eyes!
2. Refuse Entry to Begin With
If you want fewer items in your house, refuse to bring them home in the first place. If you don’t need it, don’t buy it! Don’t bring home items you don’t need simply because it was on sale or someone gave it to you. You know you don’t need it and it will just collect dust. If people try to pass on their items to you, you don’t have to be polite by accepting it—instead, just be honest and say you don’t need it. Otherwise, you won’t only end up with your own clutter, but everybody else’s too. Be minimalist in what you bring home.
3. Donate Items
There are many charities, churches, libraries, schools and other places that are always looking for unused items that they can either sell to raise money or make use of in their daily activities. Fill bags with items that you think would get more use by somebody else than they do at home. Know in your heart that you are contributing to somebody else’s wealth and happiness, rather than just wasting or throwing things away.
There is nothing more refreshing in life that gifting items to those who need them more, and you can do this while also serving your main purpose of decluttering your home in time for your move.
4. Clothing Rules
If you haven’t worn it within the last six months, then it has got to go. Again, like mentioned above, you can donate clothes to charities or to the homeless. Your clothes will get much more use by somebody who desperately needs them rather than hanging up untouched in your wardrobe for another five years. We are good at buying new clothes and adding to our collection, but our homes are becoming overpopulated with unworn clothing, so we need to improve our skills in getting rid of unused clothing and shoes.
5. Complete Room by Room
Always work room by room. If you start doing every room at once, you will become increasingly overwhelmed and more likely to give up and hide everything back in your cupboards and drawers. Always start and complete one room before moving on to the next to give you the best chance of decluttering in an organized manner.
6. Change Perspective
Finally, change your perspective on decluttering. Don’t look at it as being forced to give away precious items. Instead, look at it as giving your items to those who need them more. Also internalize that your value is not based on your possessions and realize that your value actually grows when you start to share your possessions with others.
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