Sure, we all love Marie Kondo, but sometimes it is hard to declutter your home until you really have to! Moving is the great incentive to scale down, weed out, and be rid of the myriad stuff that seems to take over our homes while we are busy living life.
The days before moving day may seem a whirlwind of decisions on what to keep, what to save, and what actually “brings joy.” It can seem overwhelming to dispose of years’ worth of possessions, but you have to get it finished before closing!
Here are five ways to categorize the clutter in your home and help you figure out what to do with everything.
1. Sell It
You may have paid a lot of money for that dining room set. You may know that Grandma’s antique silver is worth a pretty penny.
If you want to recoup some of the value of your possessions, there are a variety of ways to make a little money off of them. If you have the time and organization skills, you can throw a yardsale. Just be prepared to bicker with your neighbor over a quarter for that old lamp.
If you have truly valuable objects like art, jewelry, or antiques, consult a broker who specializes in this field. You may earn a nice fee when they sell it on your behalf.
2. Throw it Away
If you really need to organize your home, you need to prepare yourself to throw a lot of things away.
Clothes you have not worn in over five years? Out! Tax returns, receipts, and other financial records over seven years old? Shred them!
If you weep throwing out your children’s artwork or old photos, limit yourself to keeping one or two and scanning the rest.
3. Store It
Now, some things you may not be able to part with, but you may not know if your new place can accommodate them. Why not rent a pod or other storage unit from a place like thestoragebox.com to put things away and eventually ship to your new home?
This will keep your home neat and uncluttered for showings while letting you hold on to those items of sentimental value.
You can also look into storage options near your new place. If that old desk or bunk beds do not fit in the new place, they may come in handy in a few years when your kid gets his own place.
4. Give it Away
Many people in these tough economic times need used clothes, old furniture, and kitchen items. Ask your neighborhood shelter, Salvation Army, or other organization if they need donations of household items.
Sometimes they will even come by and pick it up for you, plus you can get a receipt for your taxes.
5. Ship it
If that painting of Aunt Sally or the out-of-tune piano truly is precious to you, keep it! Marie Kondo says you are allowed to hold onto those items which bring you joy.
If you have to move something out of your house because the realtor says it is too personal or unsightly for potential buyers, ship it to your new abode and enjoy it forever.
Declutter Your Home: Time for a Fresh Start
You may be anxious or sad when it comes time to declutter your home. Why not think of it as an opportunity to determine what you really need and what you really like. It’s the time to make way for new things that will “spark joy!”
For more tips on making life easier and more fulfilling, keep checking back.
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