People usually can’t realize the size of the clutter in their house until they’re getting ready to move. An average household in America has around 300,000 items, and imagine how the packing process looks like when you decide to move without decluttering. However, knowing what to keep when moving is important too. You can’t just toss everything.
When you decide it’s time to move, many questions come to your mind. From finding reliable long-distance moving services to asking yourself what do I do with all my stuff when I move? Whether you’ve never moved before or several times, the whole process can be overwhelming. Especially if not organized properly. There are many tasks to think about, like who to notify and how to transfer utilities. However, one of the scariest parts of the move is probably the packing process. So, let’s see how to make it easier and decide what to keep and what to throw away.
You don’t have to be a professional organizer to have everything in order. It’s enough to do some decluttering once in a while. Yes, it’s easier said than done, especially when you have to begin right from the start. Consider that an average American lives in one house for ten years. That’s a long period, and piles of stuff that we actually do not need or use are hidden in a garage, closet, or every other corner in our household.
If you’ve never decluttered before, then you’re probably wondering why purging is so necessary and how you benefit from it. Not only will it make you feel better, but it will also be a stress-free process. The less clutter you have to deal with, the more time you’ll have for other tasks.
Having a stress-free move isn’t the easiest task. But, once you decide where to move, you need to think about the future steps of the relocation. Still, once you realize all the benefits of getting rid of unnecessary stuff, don’t neglect it until the next move. Instead, you can implement decluttering as your new weekly routine after the move. It will relax the brain from all-day stress, and if you decide to move again, you surely won’t wonder what should I purge before moving.
It’s well known that we people get attached to material things. The reason is simple: it makes us happy. So, do not get too stressed if you find out that more than half of your closets or garage is filled with stuff you do not use or like anymore. Go room by room and examine them to check what conditions are then and how much stuff you’ll deal with.
One of the best relocation tips is organizing the packing process as soon as you realize all the benefits of the move. That way, you’ll get a bigger picture of what should be in your boxes and bags and whatnot. Keep in mind there are some items long-distance movers near you won’t move. So, let’s check what should you not bring when moving:
Many techniques will help you with decluttering and how to do it more efficiently. However, no one told you how to stop being indecisive and take a stand when thinking about what to move and what to leave behind.
For starters, try answering these two simple questions: Do you wear it more than once a week? Does it fit in the new house interior? These questions can be a great help if you have a closet full of clothes you may like but don’t wear. Or, some pieces of furniture are in the basement for years, and you never restore them. Be realistic and answer honestly because only that way will you know what to do with them.
Relocating to a smaller home can be a challenging thing. That’s why knowing what to get rid of is more than important. You won’t have to rent more storage facilities than needed. Also, you won’t waste your precious time thinking about what to do with the unnecessary clutter. For example, you decided to move a garage, you think, and you think it’s best just to put all smaller objects into the bags. Think twice! Do you really need machines such as lawnmowers when you do not even have a lawn in the future location?
However, not everything in your old place is for tossing, right? Some things have sentimental value or some objects that remind you of someone. You practically do not use them, but they mean something to you. Know that sometimes we need a physical thing to relive a memory that means to us. And it’s completely ok.
When it comes to relocating bulky tables, chairs, and cabinets, most people give up right away. Wrapping up these objects isn’t easy at all. But, some pieces are worth relocating because they are vintage, and you won’t find the same ones in stores nowadays. There’s another side of the story, too. You’ll feel lonely in completely different surroundings, especially if you’re relocating alone. Even though it’s old, having that one piece of furniture will mean a lot when adjusting to a future town.
Also, if you contact reliable cross-country movers, you won’t have to worry about all the wrapping up and safely protecting your bookcase, chair, or sofa. They will do all the hard work for you. See, relocating furniture has never been easier.
On the other hand, sometimes the question isn’t if you want your vintage pieces in your future home. Sometimes it’s logistics – some pieces just can’t fit. In that case, give your favorite sofa another opportunity and check where you can donate it. Do a good thing and help those in need. You can visit the website Goodwill or contact some of your local charity organizations.
This is also a great solution if you do not have enough time to deal with old but usable items. Ensure that everything is clean and ready for donation. That way, you won’t feel guilty because you gave up on something so precious to you – you’ll give those things a second chance, including people that will take good care of them.
People move for many reasons, whether it’s for a job opportunity, they found a better home, or any other reason. In every case, it’s convenient to know some tips on how to move the refrigerator and other working appliances. No matter if the appliances are old, it’s important that they work correctly. Do not waste your money buying other appliances just because you didn’t have time to prepare them. If you think about it, the preparation process consists of two steps:
When it comes to wrapping up your electronics for safe transportation, you’ll have to do a bit more than just clean their surfaces. Prepare all needed supplies for the wrapping up, such as bubble wrap and some soft material, and ensure you give a double layer to each piece of electronics. You shouldn’t neglect this step because you do not want to end up with a broken laptop or tablet after the move.
When someone thinks about the most commonly forgotten things to pack, the one thing that comes to mind is paperwork and documents. If you have documents organized at home, this won’t be a problem. However, many people aren’t using any tips on organizing important and not so important documents. That’s why you should create a checklist of all documents that you shouldn’t get rid of or forget when you move. Here are some of the essential ones:
It’s a lot of paperwork to deal with, it’s true. Luckily, we live in a digital world, and you can easily scan some of them. That way, you will have more space in your future apartment for other stuff, and the documents will be safely stored online. If you’re not sure how to do it, watch the video below and check some of the fastest techniques.
When relocating with family, deciding what to keep and what to toss or donate is a bit harder process to do. Relocating with kids means you have to pack toys as well but are all of them really necessary? Probably not, but keep in mind that your kid is facing a lot of stress right now, and keeping some of its favorite toys won’t hurt anyone. Right, the opposite, some of the toys will help get through the adjusting period after the move.
The same goes when relocating with pets. Your furry friends can feel something big is coming, and they can become anxious. Imagine how they would feel when finding out there’s not a single known object in the future place. That’s why it’s always good to have some extra room for their toys and snacks.
There’s still a pile of stuff you do not know what to do with? And it’s not a matter of time because you’re in the last-minute move. It’s because you’re just not sure what to do with those objects. In that case, you should listen to your gut. Sometimes deciding what to keep and what to throw away is a full hands job. And to ease yourself, just listen to what the gut tells you.
You can find a better use for many items. For example, why buy a vase when you have had a beautiful cristal bottle in the back of your cabinet for years. Clean it thoughtfully and pack safely for the trip. Once you settle in the future apartment, you’ll have a place where to put some fresh flowers.
Making this kind of decision isn’t always easy and for some people could be even more stressful than the actual move. But, once you know what’s going with you to your future place and whatnot, you can calmly pass on other tasks.
If this was too exhausting to handle, you can always contact professionals and ask for their efficient packing services. Also, a trustworthy relocation company will offer you their services for auto transport if needed. That way, you can practically begin to rest from all the hard work you had to do.
