Declutter Checklist for Moving That Will Make Moving Day Less Stressful
A declutter checklist for moving can be just what you need to stay organized. Moving reminds us just how much stuff we have that we never use.
Getting ready to live in a new place can be your chance to finally be clutter free. If you’re unsure how to purge before a big move, you can use this list to give you some ideas.
Declutter checklist before moving
Separate items you rarely use
There’s a lot of stuff you probably haven’t used in months or years. Now’s the time to start looking through those items.
Depending on your personal preference, you can start with the largest room in your home or the smallest.
For some people, starting small can help you feel less overwhelmed with the task. Other people may prefer to get a huge weight off their shoulders by getting the larger rooms done first.
What you’re going to do in each room is take out an item that you haven’t used in a month or longer. Be sure to have an area of your home you plan to place them temporarily.
Keep in mind that you’re not deciding to throw these items away yet. You’re just separating them for now.
Start packing the items that are remaining
Once you’ve taken out the items you haven’t used in a while, start packing the items that you have been using.
It can perhaps give you peace of mind knowing that the stuff you know you really want to keep won’t get lost or missing.
Re-evaluate items you’ve separated
Now that you have the items that you’re positive you want to keep packed away, it’s time to return to your items that you separated.
Depending on how much time you have left before you move, you can go through a few a day, or half one day and half another day.
When you start going through your items, think about the last time you ever used the item you’ve separated.
If it’s been over a year, maybe that’s a sign you’ll never use the item again. If it’s just been a month, that could be a sign you should still keep it.
Along with evaluating the last time you used the items, think about how much joy or meaning it really gives you. Is it something that makes you a better person?
Does it make your life a whole lot easier? Do you feel a sense of peace whenever you see this item or use it?
If the answer to most of those questions is yes, then you should probably keep the item. If the answers are no, then it’s probably something you shouldn’t keep.
Give these questions careful thought with each item you evaluate, and once you’ve decided what you don’t want to keep, put it all in one corner.
The items you decide that you still want to keep, you can pack up with the rest of your stuff.
Search for places you can give away your stuff
Once you know what you’re going to give up, you can see if there’s any places you may be able to donate your stuff.
For example, if there are a lot of clothes you’re giving up, there’s many places that will accept used clothes donations. Goodwill is one example.
Some libraries may also accept used books you no longer read. Look out for any places that may accept some of the stuff you’re moving without.
See if anyone’s interested in your clutter
While the things you’re giving up may no longer be meaningful to you, it could be meaningful to someone else.
You can create a list of all the things you’re not taking with you and post it on social media for your family and friends to see.
You can choose to sell the items for a price if you desire, but it could be easier to just let people have it for free.
If you do prefer to set a price on some of your stuff you’re giving up, make sure it’s an affordable one so you have a good chance of someone taking it off your hands.
In the event your family or friends are not interested, you can try listing what you have on Craigslist or another selling platform if you still have a little time before you move.
Throw away anything you still have left before moving day
Moving day can be stressful enough without the extra stress of figuring out what to do with the clutter you have left.
All the items you have remaining should be thrown in the dumpster if it can fit. Any items that are too large can be placed next to the dumpster.
Someone else could stumble upon it and decide they want to have it. The important thing is that you no longer have to deal with the items and can put your full focus on packing and moving.
Final thoughts
Once you move into your new decluttered home, be sure to keep up with keeping your space clutter free. Be mindful of your future purchases through focusing on only buying what brings you joy or meaning.