I have had the fortune of only having to move a handful of times in my lifetime. As someone who had access to a fleet of trucks and equipment for some of those moves, I had a significant advantage over someone who didn’t have that advantage because of their line of work. Even still, moving was never an easy or relaxing task. In fact moving can be one of life’s most stressful events, but I believe with the right preparation, it doesn’t have to be. Anyone who has experience moving will tell you, one of the most effective ways to reduce moving stress is by decluttering your home before the big day. At Get R Gone Junk Removal, we specialize in helping homeowners streamline their moving process by removing unwanted items and making the transition smoother, working with a number of professional organizers as well to give us an advantage over the competition. Here are some free practical decluttering tips to ensure a stress-free move.
Why is Decluttering Important Before Moving?
So why do we advise you consider doing a big declutter prior to you move? The advantages are many!
1. Reduce Moving Costs:
The less you have to move, the lower your moving costs will be. By decluttering, you can significantly reduce the amount of stuff you need to transport, saving you money on moving services or truck rentals. When I was younger, we moved unimaginable amounts of junk with us to our new home. I remember thinking at the time “we will never use this stuff, we didn’t use it in the old house, and we’ll never use it in the new house” Why pay to move a bunch of “stuff” that doesn’t bring any benefit to your life?
2. Save Time and Effort by Decluttering First:
Packing and unpacking take a lot of time and energy. You’re going to have lots to do anyway, and packing is going to take up a significant amount of your time. By getting rid of items you no longer need, you can streamline this process and make it much more manageable.
3. Start Fresh:
Moving is an opportunity for a fresh start. Decluttering allows you to get rid of old items that no longer serve you and make space for new beginnings in your new home. This is also a great time to “change it up” with your interior decorating, decor and furniture. I always loved the feeling I got from changing up my environment!
4. Reduce Stress:
Decluttering is an essential step for a move, reducing the chaos and stress associated with packing up your life. For more insights on the importance of decluttering, check out this article from Smartly Organized. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed with the stress associated with planning and executing a move, we highly recommend seeking out the services of a professional organizer. You can find more information on professional organizers and how they can help here.
Practical Decluttering Tips and Steps:
1. Start Early:
Let’s be honest with ourselves, we’re all guilty of putting off challenging tasks, but I highly suggest fighting the urge and not waiting until the last minute to start decluttering before your move. Begin the process as soon as you know you’ll be moving. This gives you ample time to sort through your belongings without feeling rushed. It’s also a great way to keep yourself excited about your new fresh start.
2. Sort by Category:
Tackle one category at a time, such as clothing, books, or kitchen items. This method, inspired by the KonMari approach, helps you focus on specific areas and make more deliberate decisions about what to keep and what to discard.
3. Use the Four-Box Method:
Label four boxes as “Keep,” “Donate,” “Sell,” and “Trash.” As you go through each room, place items into the appropriate box. This method helps you stay organized and ensures that items don’t end up in the wrong place.
4. Be Ruthless:
It’s easy to get sentimental about belongings, but be honest with yourself about what you really need and use. If you haven’t used an item in the past year, it’s probably safe to let it go. This can be one of the most challenging steps for a lot of people.
5. Digitize Where Possible:
For documents, photos, and other paper items, consider digitizing them to reduce physical clutter. There are many apps and services available that make it easy to scan and store digital copies of important papers. For things like childrens artwork, there are a number of services online that offer fun ways to immortalize these cherished memories without keeps boxes and boxes of paper. One service I like is ArtKive, which can turn your children’s artwork into a book or a framed collage.
We Can Help Declutter and Reduce Stress
At Get R Gone, we offer professional junk removal services to help you with your decluttering process. Here’s how we can assist:
1. Efficient Removal:
Our team can quickly and efficiently remove unwanted items from your home, saving you the hassle of disposing of them yourself.
2. Eco-Friendly Disposal:
We prioritize recycling and donating items whenever possible. By working with local recycling centers and charities, we ensure that your unwanted items are disposed of responsibly.
3. Stress-Free Experience:
Let us handle the heavy lifting. Our professional team will take care of all the details, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your move.
A customer had this to say about some junk removal we did for them prior to a move;
“Highly recommend Mike and his team! Helped do a massive move out junk removal for me as I was getting rid of a lot of stuff accumulated over the years! Him and his crew did a great job! Highly recommend them to anyone needed junk removed!”
Decluttering before a move doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a little planning and the right help, you can make the process smooth and stress-free. Get R Gone Junk Removal is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that your move is as seamless as possible.
Are you ready to declutter and simplify your move? Contact Get R Gone Junk Removal today to schedule your junk removal service. Let’s make your move a fresh start, free from unnecessary clutter!
