The thought of going through all of your possessions may sound daunting but it is often a necessary step in preparing for a move. It is the process of thinking through what you own and then making decisions about whether to take them with you to your new home or whether they are items you no longer need and they should be shared with others.
This process is important whether you are moving to a similar sized home and need to update your possessions to meet your current lifestyle or whether you are downsizing to a smaller space and need to adjust what you own to fit comfortably into your new space. Taking the time to make wise decisions about your belongings before you move can make the transition and the adjustment to your new place much less stressful.
Sorting through and editing your things does not have to be overwhelming. Here are a few tips to lighten the burden and anxiety of this process:
- Start with small steps. Accomplishing a large task like this can be intimidating if you view it as a whole. When the job is broken down into smaller pieces it becomes more manageable. It took years to accumulate what you have, so it will take some time to work through it all.
- Choose one small area, such as a cabinet or a drawer, and start working there. Doing a small amount each day will move you easily forward towards your goal. This also means you should allocate plenty of time for this task. It is a process not just a single event. Don’t wait to begin until the last few weeks before the move.
- Sort your possessions by collecting all similar items together, such as all vases or all sweaters. Doing this first will allow you to see what you have before you begin to make decisions. It will enable you to make wise decisions about what items to keep and will make letting go of the rest easier. You will then be able to see which ones are duplicates, which ones could serve more than one purpose and/or replace others, and which ones are most important to keep.
- Next ask yourself some questions about each item and be honest. Do I love it? Does it meet a need I have? Is it worth the cost of moving it? Am I just keeping it out of habit? If there is a memory attached, is there another way I can save that memory without saving the item?
As you make decisions, keep in mind how these items will fit into your new space, your upcoming lifestyle and how your priorities may have changed since you first acquired them.
Thinking through and evaluating which things will be transferred to your new place will save you moving expenses as well as time and stress when you arrive in your new location.
(c) Beth Giles
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