A cluttered home is one that can feel impossible to pack up and move. With belongings in virtually every corner, you might wonder how you’ll ever get your things into boxes for the moving truck. The first step is to declutter long before the moving truck arrives. If you do this, then packing will be simplified and far less stressful overall. If you don’t know how to get started, then try the ideas below to see how they help you kick the clutter.
1. Host a Garage Sale
Choose a date for a garage sale about a month before you plan on moving. By choosing a date, you’ll be more likely to stick to getting the clutter out of your house. One of the best things about garage sales is that you can sell virtually anything you don’t want. Clothing, shoes, toys, patio furniture, kitchen items, bedding, rugs, and beauty items are all things you can get out of your home and sell. Price everything affordably so you can have more confidence moving forward that your items will actually be taken away.
2. Organize with Boxes
Grab four boxes and label them “sell,” “donate,” “store,” and “keep.” Once you have these, begin going through each item you have in every room of your house. By going room-by-room rather than taking on the whole house, you’ll be more likely to stick with cleaning instead of becoming overwhelmed. If you haven’t used something in over a year, then it’s recommended to get rid of it either through donation or selling.
3. Help a Charity
It can feel good to donate things to individuals and families who need them the most. If you want to give back, then start by choosing a few charities that are close to your heart. Go through your belongings, one at a time, and fill boxes or bags with everything you don’t use, want, or need. From there, you can have your donation picked up, or you can drop it off in person.
4. Go Window Shopping
Window shopping for your new home is a great way to anticipate what you can get to decorate the interior after moving. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you can’t get new things if you don’t get rid of your extra clutter. This should give you the motivation to go through your things and move out what you truly don’t need.
Tip: If shopping doesn’t motivate you, then try giving yourself a time limit each day for cleaning. A quick twenty minutes dedicated to cleaning is something anyone can do!
5. Find What You Can Use
A lot of the clutter in your home might be things that you can actually put to use. This could be craft kits, fabric to make a blanket, boxes of baking mix, or just about any other project you’ve wanted to tackle. Go through each room to find any items you have that you planned on using but just didn’t get around to. Use what you can and donate or sell the rest.
A Less Cluttered Home and Easier Move
By having less clutter in your home, packing boxes will be easier, and moving will be cheaper. While it may be difficult to say “goodbye” to things that you like, it will be worth it when you see how clean your space can be. More importantly, those items you don’t want can be donated or sold to homes that will truly put them to use, so they don’t go to waste.