How To Declutter When You Move

When we move, we are required to really consider each of our possessions. It is one of the best times in life to declutter. If you're getting ready for a move and need to prepare, here are six tips to help you downsize.

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You can read more tips in my newest book, Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life:

Read hundreds of articles on decluttering and owning less on the Becoming Minimalist blog.

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[YRofTexas]

I am an example of your "worse-case scenario", right on the brink of hiring one of those hoarder fixer-uppers. When I contacted one, the gal asked that I take pictures to send to her. I was so shocked and depressed to see the 'whole picture', that I froze up. Understand that I am a novice collector from the early 1980's. I still have a dress I wore as a flower girl in my cousin's wedding in 1961. Yeah, really. Now, I am in my last home, and am caretaker for my non-ambulatory hubby and 10 (yes) cats we took in that were either feral or from a shelter. So forget about the 'dust factor'; we're covered with cat fur and dander. Lost cause there. But I will listen to as many videos I can to glean ideas and get encouragement. I've already burned out one vacuum cleaner, chocking out the 2nd and have a 3rd on standby. Wish me luck!

[deepiuna]

1. Get Started Earlier
2. Evaluate Everything
3. Scan for Dust
4. Challenge Tendencies to Collect and Hoard
5. Practice Letting go
6. Donate and Sell Stuff
7. Embrace Friends and Family

[minimalbygrace]

Thanks to your ongoing support and encouragement, I have now successfully decluttered over 75% of our home and have completely transformed my mindset around material possessions, for this I am truly grateful ❤

[jCREATESj]

I don't even have a place move to but I've started sorting and packing. Once I find a place moving in will be a joy.

[christinewaldvogel]

I had so much stuff in my garage from a move 9 years ago. I had 40+ boxes & have been through at least 35. I unpacked all & have kept 1 box of stuff (but will go through again in 6 mos) but I have zero patience to try & sell anything so I have donated to charity - there were some really good items & probably worth some good money but to me I just bring to charity or I have also just put at the curb of my home for anyone to take - an d most have gone & the items that did not went again to charity. I had 2 desk & 2 coffee tables & all were taken by someone. It feels really good to clear it out & my goal it to park my vehicle this winter in the garage.

[DoubleDogDare]

I'm sitting here laughing my head off over this very timely video. I have lived in this 3000sf house for 36 years now. It has tons of closets. In about 3 years I want to move into a nice one bedroom apartment and cut down to only the stuff I need - "Walden style". PERIOD. I started recently buying boxes every week, filling them and taking them to charity shops and Goodwill. I have hardly made a dent - but I'll get there. The furniture and bigger stuff I'll send to a local consignment shop or sell online.

How bad has my junk collecting been over the decades? Just this afternoon I was poking around in a downstairs storage closet and spotted a very large unopened cardboard box containing "something". I don't have a clue what is in that box. It was something I ordered from somewhere, shoved the box in the closet after it arrived and forgot I had it.

THAT is why I'm starting NOW. 3 years from now when I sell the house, I should be ready for moving.

[simply.clutterfree]

DUST! YES! Great point about dust being an indicator that you aren't actually using the item. I also consider dust when shopping. "Is this something I love enough to DUST regularly!?" - it's really helped curb my impulsive shopping 😊

[jennyjenkins]

This gives new meaning to the expression, 'Move it or lose it!'

[giennefarcais]

We'll ALL be moving eventually - whether up to Paradise or down to best be ready, right? 🙂While I have decluttered probably 95% of things, I have also started to deliberately use up the things I kept - no more saving things for special occasions. Every day is special.

[gwenellison]

Every time I have moved it has been a colossal pain in the butt. I've now decluttered 80% of my stuff and have vowed that the next time I have to move it will take no more than a weekend to pack, and one load in a small U-Haul to move. I am trying for "minimalish."

[barbaramerrithew]

My husband and I are moving next month to a 748 sq ftt home on a 24 acre piece of land because I would rather take care of nature than a bunch of stuff. I love the suggestion about that which is gathering dust...I am using that strategy! Dusting is no longer how I want to spend my life.

[charming]

I started decluttering two years before I downsized. Now every piece I have in the new home is used. No excess pieces gathering dust. Minimalism in the new home is great - more time to activities I enjoy.

[mjcossel]

I’d like to add a tip: Declutter again while you unpack.

Personal anecdote: We moved this summer, and while the house is bigger, there’s far less storage space. Between houses, we lived out of our 17-foot camper for 5 weeks and came to a new appreciation for what matters to us. As I’ve unpacked, I’ve realized I have too many books and cool trinkets and items for hobbies that are phasing out of my life.

Even if you’re not moving, you could pack up a category of items for a month or two to discover what you miss from the boxes and let go of the rest.

Hope someone finds this helpful!❤

[Practice_Kindness-st]

My water heater burst last month, and I had to clear out everything in my bedroom side of the house so they can remove & replace all the wood floors. This has been a blessing in disguise because it's allowed me to only bring back what I want to keep, and nothing else. Books, cd's, clothing and nicknacks have been all donated to charity. Feels so good!

[Luisa-H]

Since starting to watch your videos in May 2023, I’ve cut my household monthly spending by $2800-3, 000! I haven’t even been trying as hard as I could be.
I listen to your videos almost every morning as I’m getting ready for the day. They keep me motivated and on my minimalist path. Thank you! Please keep making videos!

[susan]

My husband and I are snowbirds with 2 homes in different states. We made the decision to downsize to just one home. We are lucky to have a few months to sort and pack before our 1400 sf northern home goes up for sell. Thankfully, I’ve been minimizing stuff since 2020, and my declutter muscles are strong. It’s actually fun to walk around and pick the best of the best items with happy memories that serve as well - only these will come with us to our southern 1600 sf home. I will be able to gift things to neighbors and friends too. An older neighbor who always takes care of the neighborhood trash can and street leaves will get the leaf blower. Another neighbor couple will get their pick of all our gardening paraphernalia. It is so liberating!

[AnnDeneeLivingSimply]

When I was preparing to move overseas, rather than making a decision about each and every item based in its individual value, I set parameters around what to pack. The only items I packed were the ones that were a part of defining our family culture - board games and thriftiness, or were handmade family heirlooms - handmade quilts and pillow cases. I gathered everything that met the criteria in one room of the house for the packers to pack. I packed everything we needed to set up a basic kitchen in one checked suitcase. Everything else was donated or sold. What a weight came off my shoulder.

[juliannetaylor]

I've been going through my clothes AGAIN! Have 3 boxes ready to donate. Feels great!

[mernie]

Great tips! My hubby and I are moving and we went through each room, top to bottom, to clean and either donate, recycle or discard items we don’t need. It’s been a lot of work but we feel unburdened by having less stuff! Your tips through out the years has helped me immensely. I no longer buy stuff because I am bored!🤣

[amymartin]

My mother just moved into a senior citizen micro-apartment. In helping her declutter, I ask “Are you going to use this item on a regular basis?” Since she can no longer bend and lift, having stackable bins filled with items stowed away in a closet is not practical anymore for her.