Discover the secrets to scale down belongings for a move that is more minimalist and less stressful.
Around 309,000 people in the UK wanted to move house at the beginning of the year, and if you’re one of the many who made that dream a reality, you’ve now got to sort out your stuff! So much stuff..
Don’t worry, there’s time yet, and even though it is a big job, it’s not an impossible one, especially with the tips in this article! Let’s get packing:
The Importance Of Decluttering At A Glance
Decluttering is an important part of the moving process. Without it, you will be packing and moving items you don’t want or need to take to the new place. You will also have more to clean and look after at the new property. Also, clutter is very bad for our mental and physical health, so you really do want to avoid taking it into this fresh new start with you anyway. Your new house is an exciting new chapter – free from the rubbish bits of the old story.
Additionally, you can sell off a lot of the stuff you don’t want anymore, which is really handy when so much money is flying out of your bank account at the moment. A few extra pounds can buy some tea and biscuits, or even some new decoration supplies for the new place.
Be brutal, and use methods like Swedish death cleaning, the one box method, 10 items a day method and even the decluttering calendar from The Minimalists. Whatever works for you. But whatever approach you take, there is no denying that decluttering is one of the major practical challenges of moving house. This is especially true for older people who have had a longer life in which to acquire clutter.
More Detailed Tips To Help You Strip Down Your Belongings For A House Move
You know decluttering is important, and that it is time to strip your belongings down – but how do you do it? It really is one of those tasks that is easier said than done. The following tips are going to help you whittle those belongings down so that you can lead a simple, more organised life:
Keep, Donate, Discard
At the heart of decluttering is a very simple process – choosing to keep, donate or discard items. Although there are other methods, this is the process a lot of people tend to follow, especially at the beginning of the decluttering process.
Keeping Things
It is important to think carefully about each item and whether or not you want it, or need it. At the beginning of the decluttering process this can be quite easy, because there will be items that you know are definitely coming with you.
Donating Things
If you have items that are in good condition, but you no longer need or want them, consider donating them. This could be gifting to a charity, or potentially even giving them to friends you know would appreciate them.
Discarding Things
This should only be done if items are broken beyond repair. Otherwise, do try to donate them and give them away for free to see if somebody else can make something with them.
Selling On
Although some people prefer to keep things simple when it comes to stripping back their things, others like to make the most of this decluttering process. One way to do that is to have a mass sale of all your things. Anything that is in good condition can be sold on online sites, or even at car boot sales. All that money adds up and can come in very handy for doing up your new place and paying for moving costs.
Storing
Are you running out of time to sort through your things before the move? You could keep the items in local self storage until you have time to sort through them.
Are you hoping to keep some items until after your property is renovated? Maybe you want to move boxes of organised items into a safe place so you can clean and sort out the property you are selling. Whatever your reason for needing a safe, secure storage space, self storage is available to help. It can give you more room for manoeuvre and more time when you’re stripping your belongings back for a house move, all at a competitive price.
Decluttering Strategies
For some people, basic decluttering strategies just don’t work. There are other strategies needed to get the job done. If that sounds like you, why not try out any of these popular decluttering and organising methods:
- KonMari – Marie Kondo’s decluttering and organising methods based on only keeping things that bring you joy
- Swedish death cleaning – cleaning and organising your things as though your time on earth is going to be over soon
- One Box method – fill one box at a time, and that is it
- 10 Items In A Box method – declutter 10 items at a time only
- 20/20 – if you can replace it within 20 minutes, or with £20 pounds you can let it go (works well with items you are unsure about
There are so many methods to try, there is sure to be at least one that will work for you and help you to downsize your things.
Avoiding Avoidance
Are you the kind of person likely to avoid decluttering? If you are, you don’t want to be left the week before moving day panicking and chucking everything into bags. Instead, set yourself up for success. Have podcasts to listen to whilst you declutter, have a playlist of songs that get you up and moving around, set time aside to do the job. It is also important you have everything you need to complete the decluttering. Bags, tapes, pens, labels, other packing materials – whatever you need so you don’t have to go out and get anything else when you are right in the middle of a major throwing out session.
“Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty, find opportunity.” – Albert Einstein
With the tips above, some packing tape and a good decluttering method, you’re ready to strip your things down! With dedication and effort, you’re going to be going to your new place much more minimalist, and maybe with a few extra quid in your pocket too!
