Once you've purchased or sold a home, the real work begins. Moving. The word can instantly strike fear in your heart, and you wouldn't be the first person on the planet to put it off as long as possible. How do we accumulate so much stuff? Needless to say, the task must be tackled at some point which means embracing the purge instead of packing the junk. Here are a few things you should do and not do when it comes to decluttering and packing for your next move.
DO Set Goals and Make a Plan
Just thinking about decluttering your entire house can feel overwhelming. So, create attainable goals, whether tackling a single room or taking 15 minutes to purge old clothes from your closet. For items that you’re not planning to keep, sort them into three categories: sell, donate or toss.
DO Apply the 90/90 Rule
This is a great way to make quick decisions. Basically, if you haven’t used an item in 90 days and don’t see yourself using it in the next 90 days, get rid of it. For clothes, you have a bit more time, especially for seasonal items. The rule here is if you haven’t worn it in a year, it has to go.
DO Use the Things You Have
Have a toothpaste stockpile? A freezer full of frozen veggies? Put a moratorium on shopping and start using up what you have in your house. Personal care to pantry items, the more you get through, the less you have to pack and move—like a heavy box full of canned foods.
DON’T Keep Total Junk
- Random papers, cards or mail
- Shoes and clothes that don’t fit
- Old electronics or random cords
- Expired food, medication, etc.
- Worn out linens, curtains, rugs
- Old instruction manuals
DON’T Keep Extra Anything
- Dishes, glasses or silverware
- Pots, pans and cooking utensils
- Water bottles and coffee cups
- Plastic storage containers
- Excess towels, blankets or pillows
- Pens, paper and office supplies
DON’T Keep Unused Stuff
- Unread books and magazines
- Obsolete VHS tapes or CDs
- Never unpacked holiday decor
- Outgrown baby and kid gear
- Gifts you keep out of guilt
- Broken stuff you haven’t fixed
No matter what, just keep going! Eventually, you'll get packed, moved and settled into your new home. Don't forget to pack a bag or box of essentials like clothes for the family, towels, toiletries, toys for the kids and kibble for the critters. Good luck!
