Moving and decluttering are two activities that are inevitably linked together. Because when you’re moving, you’re forced to examine and sort through everything you have. And when you do, you find that you have more than you need and that your home is crammed with stuff from years ago – some of which you last touched in months.
Now, you don’t want to take all that excess stuff to your new place. It will only add to the new mess and clutter, and your new home might not have enough space to accommodate everything. Besides, you’ll have to pay more moving and labor costs only to move stuff you don’t need.
How to Make Moving Easier?
Moving is a stressful process. Imagine having to do all that sorting and decluttering during the move and then packing up and hauling the items. And if you’re relocating long distance, you have much more to consider. From custom adherence and logistics to shipping and safety, everything adds up too quickly and can leave you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
After all, you’re leaving the place you called home for years and all that’s associated with it. This shift especially affects those moving from a big city such as Miami. With a vibrant lifestyle and culture full of life, energy, and entertainment, bidding farewell to such a city can be difficult. Miamians have access to the best healthcare, top-notch education, and other incredible opportunities. However, it’s also ranked as one of the most expensive cities to reside in, with the cost of living 20% above the national average.
While leaving Miami is difficult, working with professional movers can make the long-distance move easier. So, if you’re moving from Miami to across the ocean or within the same continent, hire long distance movers in Miami to help you with the moving process. These experts are experienced in handling all the details and logistics associated with long-distance moving and can help make the transition smoother.
Besides hiring professional movers, follow these six tips to tackle clutter before moving and make the relocation hassle-free.
1. Start Early and Declutter Room by Room
Many people start decluttering and packing a few days before the moving date. Unfortunately, this is the wrong approach as it causes more stress. You must start the process early, at least a month before your move, and avoid attempting to declutter the entire house in one go.
Start with the least used room first. For instance, if you have a basement or attic that you barely use, start there. Once fully satisfied that the area is free of all clutter, move on to the next room. You’ll also reduce your stress levels as you progress, one room at a time.
2. Make Three Piles
One of the best ways to tackle clutter is to sort through your stuff and create three piles: keep, discard, and donate. It will help you identify what items you need and don’t need.
Use the “keep” pile to separate the necessities, such as documents, clothes, books, and everyday items. You can also include sentimental items you don’t want to part with.
The “discard” pile should contain all the junk and broken items that can’t be used anymore. You can also recycle everyday items like paper, cardboard boxes, and plastic bottles to reduce waste and help the environment.
Lastly, place the items you no longer need in the “donate” pile, such as clothes you no longer wear, books you don’t read, and kitchenware you haven’t used in months.
3. Rent a Storage Unit
You will have items too big or bulky to carry during the move, such as furniture and appliances. Although you don’t want to get rid of them because they are still in good condition and you’ll need them in your new home, it can be challenging to transport them long distances.
Why not rent a storage unit near your current home or at the destination place? You can store all the big and bulky items in the storage unit until you have settled into your new home and decided on a place for them in your new abode.
4. Don’t Get Emotional
It’s natural to get attached to certain items, especially sentimental ones. But, during decluttering, you must ensure that sentimentality doesn’t overpower your rationale. If an item has not been used in a long time or is too big to move long distances, you must let it go.
Holding on to unnecessary objects will only add to your moving costs and clutter your new home. However, you may click a picture of the item or preserve its memory in another way if you feel attached to it. Also, if decluttering gets too overwhelming, you can take a break and de-stress until you’re ready to get back into it.
5. Check Expiration Dates
You must check the expiration dates when packing from bathroom supplies to pantry items and meds. Get rid of expired products to avoid any hassles later, and ensure to check for items expiring soon, such as groceries and over-the-counter medications.
If the expiry date is within a few weeks, throwing them away is best. Also, if you’re replacing the perishable items with new ones, check their expiration dates and pack them according to their shelf life.
6. Don’t Buy Unnecessary Items
You may feel tempted to buy new items for your home from your current location as if there will be nothing available where you’re relocating. But this thought is wrong because you can get almost anything at your new destination too. And if you keep buying things, you’ll only add to the clutter you’re trying to declutter before moving.
Therefore, try your best to avoid buying unnecessary items before your move. If you really must buy something, consider its functionality, portability, and other factors before purchasing.
Conclusion
Your home’s clutter can easily become a hindrance when relocating. Therefore, decluttering is crucial. Start early, focus on one room at a time, rent a storage unit if needed, and don’t get emotional while decluttering. You must also check the expiration dates of all perishable items to avoid any hassles later. If you’re struggling with organization, make three piles, one each for keep, donate, and discard the items. Lastly, avoid buying unnecessary items before the move to reduce the amount of clutter.
