Two Birds, One Stone: Declutter During Your Move

Packing cardboard boxes

The sheer weight of the possessions we have accumulated throughout the time we’ve spent in a property is very often only apparent when we’re preparing to move to a new home. 

In fact, many of us have found ourselves looking around each room in our home feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of carefully packing each object into a box, transporting those myriad boxes to a new home, and unpacking them at the other end. 

The Benefits of Decluttering During A Move 

Whether you want to streamline an upcoming move to save time or you’re ready to part with items that have an energy about them that you don’t want to bring into your new chapter, incorporating decluttering into your packing process can be highly cathartic. 

Let’s hone in on a few of the specific benefits to decluttering before moving house. 

Minimise Your Costs

By streamlining your belongings, you won’t need to purchase extra packing materials and your removal costs will also be lower, as these are often calculated by weight or volume.

Boost Your Mental Health 

Environments that are free from clutter can have a hugely beneficial impact on our mental health and sense of wellbeing. 

According to WebMD, decluttering can make it easier to focus and even have a positive impact on our relationships and overall lifestyle, as we feel more confident inviting friends over and have enough space to cook healthy meals in a tidy kitchen space. 

Save Time 

Whether you’re tackling a room, a flat or an entire house, packing takes a surprising amount of time. With fewer items to pack, this process will progress much quicker. Similarly, with fewer things to unpack in your new home, you’ll likely find that you start to feel settled very quickly and can start enjoying all the benefits of being in your new place. 

Now we’ve set out a few reasons why decluttering can be so beneficial, let’s run through some of our top tips for successfully decluttering during your move. 

Don’t Leave Everything Until The Last Minute 

Whether you’re a natural procrastinator or simply overwhelmed by the task that’s in front of you, one of the worst things you can do when preparing to move is to leave everything until the last possible minute. 

Packing always takes longer than you think it might and that length of time is only going to increase when we add decluttering into the mix as well. So, we recommend putting together a plan of action that leaves you with plenty of time to get everything sorted before moving day arrives. 

We’re not suggesting you need to put together a comprehensive spreadsheet, but it’s worth setting out how many days you’ve got to work with and create some daily to-do lists that will keep you on track. 

Obtain All Necessary Supplies 

In order to avoid overwhelm, we recommend getting your hands on all the supplies you’ll need to make your decluttering process as seamless as possible. What’s more, it’s worth sorting your items into a few different categories, such as:

  • Donate to charity
  • Keep
  • Sell
  • Give away to family members or friends
  • Throw away 

Having a supply of suitable boxes on hand to pack away the belongings you want to take to your new home will allow you to pack as you sort. Just don’t forget to label each box as you go, as this will ensure you avoid accidentally donating some of the things you want to keep and guarantee that you won’t be forced to dig through countless boxes when unpacking in your new home! 

Similarly, having some different boxes or bags on hand to house the items you plan to donate, sell, give away, and discard will ensure you don’t end up creating an overwhelming amount of mess as you work your way through each room in your home. 

Partner With An Eco-Friendly Removal Team 

Working with removal experts with eco-friendly credentials can actually support your decluttering efforts. Here at On The Dot Removals, we’re proud to maintain active partnerships with local recycling centres and offer flexible scheduling to coordinate donation drop-offs. 

It’s also worth discussing the expert packing services offered by your team, as they are experts in packing and transporting an array of items efficiently and safely. 

Take Time To Evaluate Every Item 

If you’re not sure whether you want to keep an item or part with it, it’s always worth picking it up. Handling and evaluating an item up close can evoke certain feelings that will help you to determine whether it’s something you actively want to place into a box and unpack in your new home. 

Picking up objects will also allow you to see how much dust has gathered on or around them. If an item is covered in a thick layer of dust, the chances are that it hasn’t been used or admired for a while and it may be time to part ways with it. 

But if you’re still not sure, perhaps try asking yourself a few questions, such as ‘why do I have this object?’ and ‘what is this object offering to me?’ to gather your thoughts and solidify your decision. 

Practise The Art Of Letting Go 

Decluttering our possessions isn’t always an easy process, and you’ll likely find that some things are harder than others to part ways with. If you find that you’re bargaining with yourself and keeping more things than you ideally want to, it’s important to remember that getting rid of a specific item doesn’t necessarily need to also erase the memories associated with it 

It’s always worth remembering that letting go is an art form, and you might need a bit of practice before you really get into the right flow and frame of mind. 

Looking to move without the stress? Here at On The Dot Removals, we offer comprehensive house removals and packing services. Get in touch to find out more.

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