The First Step in Packing to Move

Moving can be such a hassle. Yet, it affords us the opportunity to revisit possessions we have not seen in a while, sort through and get rid of things, sell items on Craigslist or eBay, and streamline our lives.

The Things We Have Around Us

Clutter happens, even to the neatest of us. It sneaks up on us, and before we know it, we are surrounded by it. Decluttering is one of the best ways to get ready for a move, and here are some ways to make it happen:

Make a list of the must-haves and must-keeps

Before you get into decluttering, make a list of all the things in each room that you need, want, or absolutely cannot live without. If everything in each room ends up on your list, start over and ask yourself the following questions about each item:

• Have I used it in the last year?
• Have I even looked at it in the past year other than to dust it?
• Does it have major sentimental value for me?
• Will I ever use it again? (Be careful with this one as it is so easy to envision uses for things just so we can keep them.)
• Could someone else enjoy it since I am not using it?
• Will it fit in with the décor in my new home?

Letting go of things we have held onto for a long time is not easy, but it is an important step in decluttering our lives. Do you collect things? You may find that once you have packed up your collection of owls, angels, or teddy bears, your new home has no room for them. Why not sell them to another collector who will enjoy them (and clutter up their home with them)?

Mark Banschick, M.D., writing for Psychology Today, says that the major reason people do not get rid of things is that they do not feel empowered to do so. He says we all need to be reassured that we are adults and we can get rid of whatever we want to get rid of. He says that the second reason why we don’t get rid of stuff is that we don’t know how to do it. We are filled with “what if’s” – what if I need it later? What if I lose weight again and can fit into that dress or those trousers?

Most of us have had at least one of those “what if’s” come true. We have gotten rid of something only to find out a week or a month, or even a year later that we need it. But letting this fear impede our decluttering keeps us surrounded by clutter. If we later need a gizmo we have gotten rid of so badly, we need to remember that we can go out and buy an updated version of it.

One way to approach making the list of must-haves and must-keeps is to allow yourself 5 items from each room to keep at first, and on a second list select 5 items to get rid of. Doing it this way tends to offer you a sense of empowerment. And remember the number one motivation for doing all this, the more you declutter, the less you will have to pack.