Why should I get organized before I move?
Collecting items means they also need to be cleaned, managed and organized; otherwise, it can create a stressful environment that keeps “piling up.” Especially if you are preparing to move and embarking on the packing process, which can be difficult enough, clutter can easily take over and make you feel overwhelmed and stuck.
The good news is that if you’re planning to move, now is the perfect time to tidy up. While it may seem overwhelming to make decisions about what to take to your new home and what to purge, you’ll be glad you did when it comes time to unpack your boxes. And, in general, there are many benefits to having fewer possessions; you simply can’t go wrong when it comes to tidying up. Here are a few things you can look forward to once you’ve sorted and begun the moving process:
Save money:
The scale of your move will likely be a little smaller after tidying up, which saves you money on moving supplies, equipment and time on the clock – you could even make money by selling some of those items!
Clean less:
You’ll want to enjoy your new place as soon as possible. Transporting fewer trinkets and dusty household items means you can spend more time exploring your new neighborhood and home and less time cleaning up those space-consuming items.
Feel organized:
When you start tidying up, you may come across things you thought you’d lost. Having a better understanding of where your things are as you prepare to move your belongings into your new home will make all the difference in settling in.
Gain freedom:
Whether you’re moving across town or to another state, clutter can tie you down, emotionally and physically. In addition to reducing the logistics of your move, you’ll likely find that letting go of items you thought you couldn’t give up is quite liberating.
Start fresh:
Unpacking fewer items makes it much easier to decorate. You can begin to visualize a more functional furniture placement and see each room through a new lens.
How do I de-clutter before my move?
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Plan at least two weeks
Before the move Don’t wait until the day before you move to decide what to pack and what to keep. Give yourself time. Otherwise, you may be tempted to make extreme decisions on the spot: throw away too much because you don’t want to deal with packing it or throw it all in boxes because you can’t think about it right now. Set aside a few hours a day and set realistic goals on the clutter you want to overcome each day.
Also, it’s always a good idea to get measurements of your new place so you can determine what and where your current furniture will fit.
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Set up four piles: store, sell, donate and throw away trash.
Make sure you have plenty of garbage bags, garbage cans or boxes on hand before you start digging through your clutter and creating piles. In addition, you’ll want to have these piles clearly labeled or sectioned off. Be sure to take out the trash immediately after each cleaning “session”.
Save:
For this category, start with an item that you may intend to fix or alter in some way, and ask yourself some questions:
“When was the last time I used this? Do I really want to pack it up, move it, and unpack it in my new home? How much will it cost me in time and money to repair the item? How often will I use it if I repair it?”
Often, we tend to overestimate the practical value of an item, when in reality, that broken wall clock or light fixture is outdated and would not be worth the expense and hassle of repairing it.
Sell:
If you don’t have the time or resources to manage the process of advertising and selling your items, eliminate this pile altogether. Organizing a garage sale, selling items online and/or taking them to resale stores can be time-consuming and too distracting for someone in the middle of a move.
However, if you intend to sell a few things through online marketplaces, make sure you have your camera handy to take quality pictures of each item as you go.
If you will be taking items to resale or consignment stores, make sure you know which stores you will be taking them to ahead of time. For example, some resale stores only accept clothing versus consignment stores that accept a variety of furniture and household items. Also keep in mind that many stores like these require appointments or limit the amount you can bring in a single day.
Donate:
This is the win-win pile. If you think someone else might enjoy or use an item and you haven’t used it in the last year, it’s time to pass it on. Just make sure it’s still in good condition. Torn items or clothing that is stained, frayed or has holes in it should not be passed on.
Here are some great items that deserve a donation: clothing, costumes, kitchen utensils/appliances, books, bedding, toys and games, decor, sporting goods and furniture.
Trash:
Items in this category reflect leftovers from the above. Items that cannot be repaired and/or things that are not worthy of reuse should be thrown in the trash.
If you are looking for a professional moving service in Florida, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be there to help you through the entire process of your move.