Decluttering before you move can seem like giving yourself just one more task on a calendar that’s already full of them. In fact, decluttering can save you time and money. If you don’t declutter before you move, you will need to pay someone to pack your clutter and move it or you’ll have to take the time to pack and move it yourself. Then, in your new home, you’ll have to unpack it all and find a place for it. Moving is a busy time, but it’s also a great opportunity to clear out the clutter you’ve accumulated over the years.

Start Early

Decluttering can become overwhelming fast. When you start as early as possible, you can do a little at a time to reduce the likelihood of getting overwhelmed. Some people find it useful to set a manageable goal, such as sorting or throwing away 10 items per day. On some days, you’ll go beyond this, but even if you stick to 10 per day, you’ll see progress.

Choose a Strategy

There are a few different strategies you can use to help you stay organized and decide what to keep. One is to think in terms of going room by room or even drawer by drawer. This helps you see visible progress and also allows you to spend some days on easier items and others on more sentimental items.

Another strategy is to consider how long it’s been since you’ve looked at or used an item. Depending on the item, that could be six months, 12 months or longer. This can give you a parameter for determining whether an item is still useful or meaningful to you.

Simplify Logistics

Try to move relatively quickly through the sorting process. It’s common for people to get bogged down because they want to make money selling certain items or they feel bad about throwing things away. It may be more efficient to just donate these items, particularly since things are often worth less or harder to sell than people expect.

Indecisiveness about what to keep can also slow you down. You can designate a “maybe” pile if you’re finding this to be a problem. This allows you to still quickly discard items you know you want to get rid of and make a second pass later on what remains.

Arrange for Junk Removal

The physical process of getting rid of the clutter can be another barrier. Arranging for a junk removal service to pick it up can be the most efficient way to dispose of it.

Decluttering before a move provides you with a fresh start. By starting early, planning carefully and arranging for the disposal of items, you can arrive in your new home with only the things that you genuinely want to keep. If you live in Warren, MI or a surrounding area and need junk removal services, make your first call to Integrity Movers.