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I recently flew to LA to help my daughter move her one-bedroom apartment to another apartment three buildings away on the same block. We both thought it was going to be a piece of cake and take maybe three or four hours. Boy were we wrong! I was exhausted by the end of the weekend, had bruises and blisters on my hands and feet, and every part of my body hurt. In addition, as we were nearing the move-out deadline, she wasn’t able to sort through and discard items she no longer wanted. We just threw things into bags and boxes which meant she had to sort as she unpacked, which was not efficient or ideal. On the flight home I thought, ‘How is it possible that I have moved a whopping 30 times in my life so far?’
I’ve moved to different states as well as moved around within the cities I’ve lived in. This was, of course, before I owned a moving company. Whether I hired movers to help with moving or not, the one thing that I most appreciated about the process was the opportunity to purge. It felt so good to rid myself of clutter and to organize my new space in a highly functional way. It is true that whether one lives in a small house or a large house, we tend to fill all of our spaces. For me it tends to be every closet, every drawer and every bookshelf. My last move was from a smaller home to a larger one. Just the other day while I was cleaning, I thought, ‘Wow … How did I accumulate all this stuff? There’s going to be a lot to purge on the next move!’ The truth is that moving to a new home brings with it a sense of excitement and a fresh start. However, it also involves the daunting task of packing up all of your belongings and transporting them to your new abode. This process truly does present the perfect opportunity to declutter and purge the unused items that have accumulated over time. While it may seem overwhelming at first, the benefits of purging unused items during a move are numerous and remarkably refreshing. Let’s explore the reasons why moving is a good time to declutter and how it can positively impact your life. Streamlining Makes Sense Make sure you start the packing process early to give yourself ample time for evaluation. As you pack up your possessions, take a moment to look at each item and consider its usefulness and significance in your life. Moving provides a natural deadline to assess the things you own and identify those that no longer serve a purpose. By removing unnecessary items, you can streamline your belongings, making the packing and unpacking process much more manageable. This approach not only saves time and effort but also allows you to start fresh in your new space. Create a More Organized Environment Moving offers an excellent opportunity to create a more organized living environment. Clutter tends to accumulate over time, filling up closets, basements, and attics. By decluttering before the move, you can prevent bringing unnecessary items into your new home. This enables you to start with a clean slate and establish organizational systems right from the beginning. As a result, you'll enjoy a more efficient and aesthetically pleasing living space. Save Time and Money The more items you have to pack and transport during a move, the more time it will take your movers and the more money it will require. Moving can be a stressful and costly process, but decluttering can help alleviate both. By purging unused items, you can reduce the number of boxes and packing materials needed. This, in turn, can result in significant savings in terms of moving expenses. Additionally, packing and unpacking will be quicker and more straightforward when you only deal with items that you truly need and value. Benefit Others Items that are no longer useful to you might just be valuable to someone else. By purging unused items, you have an opportunity to donate them to charitable organizations, shelters, or individuals in need. Your unwanted possessions can find a new home where they will be regularly used and appreciated, helping others while reducing waste. Knowing that your items will serve a purpose elsewhere can add a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction during the moving process. Embrace a Minimalist Mindset Moving provides an ideal time to adopt a minimalist mindset. Simplifying your life by removing excess belongings can lead to reduced stress and improved overall well-being. By consciously evaluating what you truly need and value, you can focus on the essentials and let go of the things that no longer contribute to your happiness. This process can help you prioritize experiences and relationships over material possessions, fostering a more intentional and fulfilling lifestyle. No matter what the reason for moving, it always signifies a new chapter of some sort. By streamlining your belongings, creating a more organized environment, saving time and money, benefiting others, and embracing a minimalist mindset, you can turn the moving process into a transformative experience. So, as you prepare for your next move, remember to seize the chance to let go of what no longer serves you and embark on your new adventure with a lighter and more intentional load. Written by Claudia Schouten Jones, Owner Elite Relocation Services Comments are closed.
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