How to ditch The Clutter for an easy move

Years of clutter and a quick sale can cause a homeowner to panic at the thought of getting packed. You may not know where to start but you do know one thing. You have no desire to take everything with you. Here are some simple steps to simplify your packing and minimize your boxes.

1. Reality Check. Don’t convince yourself that you’ll organize it all as you unpack. You won’t. The boxes will either remain unpacked or you’ll find yourself more frustrated than ever because you boxed things you didn’t even want.

2. Get Help. Have kids? Hire a sitter or send them to grandma’s. Give yourself the opportunity to focus solely on the task in front of you. Then call in those favors. As you sort, a friend or family member can be packing those things that really are destined for your new digs.

3. Make Some Money. Take photos of the big items that don’t need to go and sell them on Craig’s List, Ebay, Kijiji or the like. Price them to sell, get them out of your way and pocket the cash.

4. Avoid Piles. As you sort make sure you have the recycling bin, a box for donations to charity and a trash bag handy. Then get ruthless. If you haven’t used it since you moved in, chuck it. Ask yourself if you really have to have it. If the answer is no or it takes you longer than 10 seconds to decide, out it goes. Also, there is no reason pack every piece of paper you’ve collected over the last decade. Fire up the shredder and load up the recycling.

5. Focus. Choose one space to work on and stay at it until it’s done. If you try to do a little here and there, you’ll just get frustrated. For your own sanity, focus on one thing at a time and finish it so you get that golden glow of accomplishment. Do not, again, do not wait until the last minute to start the process of decluttering. Block out time that is devoted to getting rid of what doesn’t need to move with you. Commit to that time and make it count.

There is very little that compares to the feeling of unpacking in a new house and only putting your hands on things that truly belong in your new space. Not only will it cut down on moving expenses by keeping your box count down, it will speed up your move in and give you the satisfaction of being clutter free. Make your move in exciting by making you move out a study in brutal honesty. You’ll be glad you did.