Moving to a new place involves handling each of your possessions four times. First, you need to pack them into boxes. Second, you need to move them out of your old home. Third, you need to transport them to your new home. And finally, you need to unpack them and put them away. This process presents an opportunity to declutter and purge unnecessary items.
Get rid of the things you no longer use or items you have accumulated over time. Consider why you own each possession and its importance in your life.
Many professional movers recommend decluttering as an essential step in preparation for a move. It cuts the stress of packing and the costs of moving in half. Decluttering is an opportunity for a fresh start in your new place. You can plan the decor and furniture layout of your new home based on what you decide to take with you.
Decluttering is an overwhelming yet essential step in preparation for a move, so here are a few tips to help you with the process.
Research moving costs before you start packing
One of the factors that will help you decide what you need to keep and what you need to get rid of is the cost of moving. Compare moving costs with your budget. For example, if a large truck costs $5,000 and a small truck costs $2,500, you can save a lot of money by getting rid of items that aren’t important and save on moving costs.
The average moving costs in Fort Lauderdale range from $ 1,691 to $ 4,772, depending on factors like
- Weight.
- Distance.
- The number of movers.
- Bulky items.
- Additional services.
So, once you’ve decided what to keep and what to part with, working with a trusted moving company can help ensure the remaining items arrive at your new place in perfect condition.
Extensively researching Fort Lauderdale movers is crucial for a stress-free move.
Start as soon as possible.
If you’ve decided to move, the best time to start decluttering your house is as early as possible. Decluttering is a systematic process that requires a lot of organization, thought, and planning. You might think you have enough time, but as the moving day approaches, you may find yourself frantically stuffing boxes. It is recommended to start at least a month or two before the move to avoid last-minute hassles.
Starting sooner will also give you enough time to review your choices and help you eliminate even more unnecessary items.
Plan before starting a decluttering job.
When it comes to organizing your tasks, planning is the key. You can start by keeping a journal, making a map of your home, and jotting down notes on how to go about it. For instance, you can note down the items you have already been wanting to discard for a long time. You can also write down things that require more consideration.
Before packing your belongings, it is a good idea to create a list of items that need to be decluttered and sorted into categories. Sorting your belongings into categories makes it easier to declutter rather than going room by room.
There is no specific way of decluttering, but to avoid getting overwhelmed, you can start from the area that will make the most difference and motivate you to keep going.
Designate holding places in your home.
To make the decluttering process more organized, you can assign specific areas of your home to hold certain categories of items.
For instance, you could designate your garage as the place for items you want to donate or give away and your driveway as the spot for things that need to go into the garbage. This approach will ensure that you know what to do with each item in the future and won’t have to second-guess yourself.
Use up the consumables.
There is no point in packing up consumable products or products that are already in use. Instead of purchasing new things, use the products that are already stocked up in your pantry. This will help you save your storage space and reduce the amount of items that you need to move.
Start doing this as soon as you decide to move so that you have enough time to consume most of the products before moving day.
Get your family involved.
Moving can be a stressful experience, especially when you’re doing it with your family. However, getting each family member involved in the decluttering process can make it time-efficient and enjoyable. It allows everyone to have a say in what items to keep and what to let go of, creating a sense of teamwork. Moreover, it is an excellent opportunity to reminisce and bond over items that hold sentimental value.
If you have kids, involving them in the decluttering process can be a rewarding experience for both you and your children. By asking them to help you with their bedrooms, you can teach them life skills such as decision-making and organization.
Determine a limit for each category.
To make the decluttering process easier, you can either limit the number of boxes assigned to each room or purchase a limited number of moving boxes beforehand. This will help you prioritize the most important items first.
Once the assigned limit is reached, it will be simpler for you to decide which items you want to take with you. It is completely okay to keep a margin for error. Don’t be wasteful, but don’t hoard unused belongings.
How do you decide that it’s time to get rid of something?
Are you unsure if you’ll need something in your new home? There are a few ways to decide that!
- Discard anything you haven’t used in a year: If you don’t use an item in your current home, you probably won’t need it in your new home unless you have a clear plan for using it.
- Dust is your friend when decluttering: Dust on items reflects the current usability of that item in your home, so if you come across things that have accumulated dust, it means that it’s time for them to go.
- Consider replaceability while decluttering: Another factor to consider is how easy it is to replace the same item in your next home. For example, if you have a mat or a painting you found at Walmart for $10, you can likely find a similar or better replacement for it in the future.
- Consider how your needs in your new home will change: The things that you need in your current home might not have a place in your new home. For instance, a decoration or painting that perfectly complements your current decor might not suit the theme of your new home.
Conclusion
In conclusion, decluttering is a gradual process that requires patience and practice. As you continue to declutter, it becomes more manageable over time. You can be flexible and allow yourself some time, as you cannot expect to declutter all your belongings in one go. Remember, the key is to take it slow and steady, and eventually, you will achieve your decluttering goals.
