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Do you have clutter? You never know the amount of items you own until you have to pack- either for travel or relocating for work. Decluttering sounds like a tedious and overwhelming process when you think about it, but it’s beneficial to you in so many ways. How? For one, decluttering saves you money. The more your belongings, the more it costs to move it. Plus if you donate or choose to sell some of your unwanted belongings, you earn a little extra cash.
If you’re looking for tips on how to get started with decluttering, you’re in the right place! Let’s get started
7 Pro Tips To Help You Declutter Before Moving
Not only does it make your move more efficient, but it also clears mental space for the excitement of what's to come. Here are 7 professional tips to make your decluttering experience a breeze:
Self Motivation
Decluttering is not a pleasant experience, both emotional and physically. This is especially true if you have not done it before. Hence the need to psych yourself up to get started. Remind yourself why you’re doing this, and how great it’ll feel to have all your things fit in one suitcase. You’ll be surprised how amazing it is to free yourself from things you no longer need in your life.
2. Start Early, Finish Strong
Begin the decluttering process well in advance. This isn't just about sorting through stuff; it's about curating a collection of items that truly spark joy. Depending on the size of your home or apartment, you might want to start 8 months in advance. Starting early allows you to pace yourself and ensures no last-minute panic. In the words of Professional Organizer Maija Diethelm, “That just allows the process to be a lot less intense and stressful.”
3. Room-by-Room Approach
You’re now motivated to start decluttering. Problem is, you don’t know where to start from. The best way is to conquer the clutter one room at a time. Start with rooms that are less used, you have the time to go through everything there- you’ll probably get rid of most of the things in there. Don’t however start with room that you usually frequent. They mostly contain a lot of items that you are emotionally connected to- thereby making decluttering close to impossible.
4. Use the 20 rule
Channel your inner decision-maker. For each item, ask yourself: Do I use it? Do I love it? Does it serve a purpose? If the answer is yes, keep it. If not, consider donating or discarding it. You have to be entirely honest with yourself during this process. To make it easier, you can separate items into different piles that determine their fate. Below are some examples of piles you might want to use to categorise your things:
Keep
Trash
Shred/Burn (for sensitive documents you no longer need)
Sell
Store
Donate
Q: What is the 20 rule for decluttering?
A: The 20/20 rule, developed by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists, the 20/20 rule for decluttering states that if you’re thinking about keeping something, and it costs less than $20 (in this case Ghc 20) and it would take under 20 minutes to replace, then go ahead and let it go.
5. The 'Maybe' Box
Let's be real – parting with certain items is easier said than done. Create a 'Maybe' box for things you're on the fence about. Seal it, mark the date, and revisit it a week later. You might be surprised at what you're ready to part with.
A Different Perspective: The 'Maybe' box is like a time capsule. What will you discover when you open it again?
6. Take away emotions
There is no way you will look at some of your belongings and not get emotional- it’s impossible. Just don’t stay in memorabilia land. You have to come back to the present. If you come across an item that you have a strong attachment to but have to get rid of, digitise it. We live in a digital age, so embrace it. Scan photos, documents, and other memorabilia to save space and preserve memories. Say goodbye to the clutter of physical mementos and welcome a digital, space-saving solution.
Motivation: Imagine having all your cherished memories at your fingertips, easily accessible and clutter-free.
7. Create a Packing Plan
As you declutter, create a packing plan. First of all, schedule days and a constant time within the week dedicated to decluttering. Spend one to three hours of dedicated time on a weekly basis, on a specific day/s every week to create a routine. If you started early, you have all the time in the world. If not, you might want to dedicate 4-6 hours to decluttering. Secondly, label boxes by room and contents, making unpacking a breeze. Keep essential items together for easy access upon arrival. Think of it as your personalised roadmap for a smooth move.
8. Seek Professional Guidance
If you’re still not sure where to start or you don’t have the time to do so, you should consider having a professional over. KPSL Global specialises in seamless relocations, professional movers providing expertise in organising, packing, and moving. Let the professionals handle the logistics, leaving you free to anticipate the adventure that awaits in your new space.
