Moving can be a stressful time. It can seem daunting to pack things up and move them to a new location. This is why so many people decide to declutter before moving, especially if they have a lot. Even if you do not think you have a lot of items, you may still want to cut down on the items you are moving to make things easier for you. Here are a few tips for decluttering before your move.
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Go through your clothing
Clothing can be bulky, especially things like jackets, sweatshirts, and sweaters. In order to reduce the number of items you need to pack and the space it takes up, consider going through your clothes to see if you can get rid of anything. Get rid of things like mismatched socks and clothes that no longer fit. Also, get rid of anything you no longer want to wear, especially if you have only worn it once or twice. If your shoes are no longer comfortable or are getting worn out, consider getting rid of them. Jewelry items such as necklaces can get tangled easily in the move, so if you have jewelry items that have little meaning, consider getting rid of them. Before throwing these items away, try donating them or selling them online through sites like Poshmark.
Declutter school supplies
If you are moving at the end of a semester or school year, consider decluttering your school supplies. Unless you need the notes for your major or for future courses, get rid of notebooks you used that you no longer need. Go through your pens and pencils to see which ones can be used next semester and which ones you should get rid of. Be sure to return any books you rented and try to resell any books you will not need in the future. See if there are any school supplies that you do not need that you can donate.
Clean out your kitchen
Your kitchen likely has a lot of leftover food that you may not be able to take on your move. Consider donating any nonperishables to a local food pantry if it is not something you plan on using. If you have perishables, consider having a get-together with your roommate and friends before you move to use what you have left over. Appliances can be expensive, but things like mugs can be cheap and not hold sentimental value. Go through your kitchen supplies and see what you can get rid of. This is especially true if you do not cool a lot. If you eat out more than you cook, you may want to donate or sell things like small appliances and cookware that you do not plan on using in future semesters.
Organize and toss unnecessary papers
Just like other school supplies, students can end up with unimportant papers, from class notes to mail they do not need. Go through any pile of papers you have and get rid of anything unnecessary for your records or future classes. From there, organize the papers you do need in files. Shred any papers you do not need but have personal information on them. Knowing where important papers are and getting rid of ones you do not need will reduce clutter as well as stress during your move.
Look through toiletries and makeup
Toiletries and makeup tend to collect as the semester goes on. Save things you plan on using in the future. Take some time to go through these items and get rid of anything that is expired or that you have not used in a while. If you have had something for months and have not used it or do not plan to use it in the future, get rid of it.
Furniture
If you bought furniture, you may be worried about the possibility of having to move it, especially if you do not have space in your new place and you do not have a storage unit. As nice as the furniture may be, if you do not have a sentimental connection to it, consider donating or getting rid of it. In the future, consider renting furniture for your new place to help reduce the stress and clutter for future moves.
General tips
Avoid decluttering all at once as you may get overwhelmed, especially if you have a lot of things to go through. Pack as you are decluttering, and do items you need last so you can still use them as you need to. As mentioned, do not throw everything away, especially things that are in good shape. Things that are gently used can either be sold or donated. Even if you ask your friends to help you move, avoid asking them to help you declutter as this may prolong the process. People may want something you are hoping to save or may mix things up.
Moving can be stressful, but decluttering can help reduce the number of items that you need to worry about transporting to your new place.
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