Whether you are moving to a new place on your own or are moving home with your family, it can be difficult to move. This is especially true if you have a lot of items to bring with you. To help minimize the challenge, declutter your belongings before you move. It may seem like a daunting task, but knowing the move will be easier can help keep things in perspective.
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Make a plan
Decluttering can be a daunting task, especially since you have a busy schedule as a student. Making a plan for how you want to tackle your decluttering can help make it seem more doable. Schedule time each day or week to work on decluttering before your move. Having a plan will make the task less overwhelming. Scheduling each room or section of a room will help you not procrastinate until the last possible minute, which would be even more overwhelming.
Take only what you need
While you may love your thrifted couch or groovy lamp, if you have these items at home or are able to get new ones, you do not need to hold onto them. You should also avoid taking food items that may go bad during the move. You will be able to replace these items easily once you are moved in. Sell textbooks that you no longer need, especially if they were for your GenEd classes. Getting rid of these items ahead of time will help reduce the number of things you need to pack and will help you stay organized.
Keep truths in mind
If you are someone who tends to hold onto sentimental items, it can be challenging to declutter. This is especially true if you are moving out of your family’s house or your first apartment. Keep in mind that getting rid of items you no longer need does not mean you are getting rid of memories. Getting rid of things will not hurt the feelings of those who gave you the item. Having an abundance of items does not signify wealth or success. Myths such as these can hold you back from decluttering, but in the end, you do need to downsize so you have more space for things you need.
Get rid of unwanted items
Getting rid of items you no longer want or need is a huge part of decluttering. If you have not worn or used something in six months or longer, it is likely that you will not use it in the future. After you declutter, you will have to figure out what to do with the items you do not want. Sites like Poshmark allow you to make money off things you want to get rid of. You may also want to sell items on Facebook Marketplace or at a yard sale or flea market.
Start early
As a student, you likely have a busy schedule of classes, homework, studying, clubs, and work. Adding decluttering to your seemingly endless to-do list can seem overwhelming. However, if you start the process early, you can do a little bit at a time until you are finished. Start a month or so before you have to move and do five minutes of decluttering a day. Pick a room or section of a room to focus on and tackle it for a brief time. If you have more than five minutes to spend decluttering and you feel motivated, take advantage of it.
Do it yourself
It may seem fun to include friends in your decluttering process, especially if you are feeling overwhelmed. Your friends may actually tempt you to hold onto things you are actually trying to get rid of, especially if they gave it to you or they have certain memories around the item. The only exception to this is if you live with a roommate. You have to check with your roommate when decluttering items in a communal area where you shared items to make sure it is okay if you get rid of an item. They may want to take it if you decide that you do not want it.
Store items
If you are not graduating or are moving to a new apartment or house in the same city, you may opt to put things in a storage unit until you know what you need and what you will want to get rid of. Keep in mind that you will have to pay for your storage unit, typically monthly. There are several types of storage units. Depending on what you are storing, you may opt for a climate-controlled unit to keep your items safe. Just remember that your storage unit still has limited space, so you will still need to get rid of things you don’t need.
Decluttering before a move can be overwhelming, but it is important. Knowing how to break it down into manageable pieces can help it be less daunting.
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