Do you look at the clutter you collected over the years and wonder how it got so bad? You don't want to call yourself a hoarder, but judging from what you have, it is clear you are heading in that direction.
Imagine that a wonderful job opportunity appears, but it requires you to declutter your home and relocate to another state. On top of that, there’s downsizing, the living arrangement you found is smaller than your current accommodation. How will you manage all of the things that you’ve collected so far if you can’t bring them all with you?
Let’s find out!
Aside from the challenges mentioned above, packing, moving and downsizing troubles need more specific moving solutions. In the end, you should have multiple useful moving solutions that will help with the transition.
A good idea for downsizing is to have an idea of the space you will be moving to. Call the landlord or agent and ask for actual dimensions and pictures of your new home.
This will give you a better idea of what you have to work with while downsizing.
If the best you can get from the agent are pictures of the new place, there are many free interior design apps online to help map out the space. So, go ahead and take the time to get creative and visualize how you can make the new place a cozy home.
One of the hardest steps in downsizing is decluttering your home. Forget about bringing everything you own to one space and sorting through it. The best way to declutter your home is to tackle each room on its own, starting with the worst first.
Get 3 large boxes. Label them:
Some experts will advise on a fourth box with the label “unsure”. But, the problem is that it can be hard to let go of personal items. That unsure box will fill up faster than the “dump” or “donate” boxes, so it’s best to not make one when decluttering your home.
Now, get to work sorting and deciding. There should be no dallying in the thought process. Here is a rule to try: Anything you have not used for six months goes.
If you have kids, teach them how to sort their belongings. It will make them feel like they are part of the moving process. They will also feel more in control when they decide what to leave out. You may, however, need to step in if they are not able to make a decision.
You may also want to get rid of anything that has no place in the new home. Let’s say you have balcony furniture. But, your new place does not have outdoor space. There is no point in moving with the balcony set. If it is in good condition, sell it.
This also goes with the other items that you'll label as dump. If it's in good condition, it's better to sell them online than to just throw them away. You can even earn on your home decluttering process.
But since you're already taking care of the move, you may not have the time to take care of the selling part. Hiring a professional company like MaxSold can help you with this problem.
Such companies take care of the following processes for you:
This will take so much out of your hands because they'll take care of everything for you. You'll get more out of your items than just selling them in a garage sale without the hassle. It’s a fast, safe, and easy way to sell your “dump” items online.
It doesn’t hurt to start planning for the move early. A good way to go about it is to create a moving checklist. Cover factors like:
Try to cover every possible scenario before moving and do proper due diligence for anyone you hire, especially the moving company. Reputable moving companies typically have insurance against any damages or loss.
But, if you can afford to, get additional coverage. The moving company may only compensate for part of the value.
When you have sorted out everything, it is time to pack for a move. You will need plenty of boxes. But you should also get creative.
Remember to only pack whatever is necessary, because at this stage, you could still remove some items. These include duplicate or excess items.
In the final week before moving, avoid buying any food. It can be pretty inconvenient to travel with cooked food or open containers. Do not pack those items.
Finish the food that you have in your house, and then see how you can manage in the few remaining days by ordering plenty of healthy takeouts. Donate or give out whatever food items you have leftover for convenience.
Pack items you will need during the move in an easy-to-reach box. These include toiletries, drinking water, change of clothes, snacks for the kids, and so on.
Pack important documents, like birth certificates, driver's licenses, banking documents, and passports away from all the other items. Do not load them onto the moving truck unless you are riding along. If you are using a private car, they should be with you at all times.
The advantage to downsizing is that you get rid of items you no longer need. You can sell them, donate, recycle or dispose of them.
Moving can be tedious if you do not plan a move well. That is why it is a good idea to start planning a move in advance, or working with Shyft. Shyft will organize your entire move from finding moving company quotes, to overseeing your move until the end. And all at no extra cost to you.
Develop a moving checklist so that you do not forget anything. Do your due diligence through research when hiring a moving company.
Ask for past client references and talk to some of their clients. It could save you a lot of stress on moving day. And declutter your home and leave the house in good condition. Whoever is coming in should find it clean and habitable.
