Planning a move soon? Then get ready to downsize, even if you don't know it yet. Most people realize they have way more stuff than they thought once they start packing. They also find out that a lot of this stuff is unused, unwanted, or just plain unnecessary.
Instead of panicking when packing day arrives, start sorting through your belongings weeks or even months in advance. Decluttering before a move helps give you a fresh start in your new home without the extra baggage—and saves you money on moving costs too.
Understanding the Emotional Side of Decluttering
Decluttering is tough because many of your belongings have emotional value. You might have multiple versions of the same item because they make you feel safe, or perhaps you feel guilty about getting rid of a hand-me-down from your mother. The golden rule of decluttering is to recognize that stuff is more than just stuff—nearly everything holds some emotional significance.
Evaluate what matters most, which memories you want to take with you, and which can stay alive without material objects. It's okay to take your time with emotionally significant items. Set them aside while you work through easier decisions first.
The Downsizing Process: Step-by-Step
1. Start Early—Don't Wait Until Moving Day
The key to a stress-free moving experience is to plan well in advance. If you procrastinate until the last minute, you could end up taking items you don't really need—and paying to move them. Start decluttering as soon as you know you're moving, so there will be fewer boxes for you or the movers to transport.
2. Decide What You Would Replace if You Lost It
When beginning the downsizing process, make a list of things you'd immediately replace if you lost them. Even if these items are technically irreplaceable, like family heirlooms, put them on the list if you'd want them back right away. This exercise helps you think about which items really mean a lot to you and which ones you can live without.
3. Use the One-Year Rule
You may have a deep connection to your belongings, but if you don't use them, it doesn't make sense to keep holding on to things that just sit in your house. Follow the one-year rule: get rid of all items that haven't been used in a year. If you can't remember the last time you used a household gadget, it may be time to let it go. Chances are if you haven't worn pieces of clothing in a year, you won't wear them in the future.
4. Use Floor Plans of Your New Home
Surprisingly, people often forget about their new home when downsizing. When deciding which furniture to keep and which to donate, get a floor plan of your new home. Visualize where the furniture will go, then decide which pieces don't fit.
Room-by-Room Decluttering Strategy
Start with the Kitchen
Your kitchen is a notorious source of waste as you continuously build up foods that expire and gadgets you never use. The best way to embark on your decluttering efforts is to sort through your fridge and pantry first—throw out any old foods and unused housewares. Moving is an excellent opportunity to eliminate waste, starting with the place that creates the most.
Go Through Each Room Individually
Just thinking about what you have in each room isn't enough. Physically go through each room, including bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, and garages. Take note of everything in there. Pay special attention to items you forgot you even had or know you don't want to take with you.
Sort Through Items in Storage
Do you remember those boxes that have been stacked up in the closet for years? Moving is a prime opportunity to go through old storage boxes that contain items you haven't used in ages. Why pay to move things that have been sitting unused when you can simplify your life by decluttering them now?
What to Do with Items You're Getting Rid Of
The Three-Box Method
When evaluating your items, have three boxes with you: Keep, Donate, and Trash. If objects are stained, torn, broken, or largely unusable, they should be destined for the garbage bin. Items in good condition that you no longer need can be donated so someone else can use them. Once sorted, send these items to the trash or a donation center immediately—don't let them sit around.
Sell Items Online
Clutter can be a profitable venture with phone applications that make it easy to snap a photo and sell your used things. List a few items online each day on Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji, and before you know it, you'll have money coming in. There's nothing like a good incentive to motivate you to go through your belongings. Most buyers are willing to come and pick up items at your convenience.
Donate to Charity
Saving that old crib in your storage room just in case your kids ever have kids? Rather than moving such a large item when it might be years before you need it, consider whether someone else could use it more. There are plenty of charities that help single parents and others in need of furniture and household items.
At Two Small Men, we've developed a relationship with the Cerebral Palsy Associations of Alberta and BC. This partnership helps our customers downsize before moving and give back to deserving charities at the same time.
Helpful Mindset Tips
Gifts Aren't Obligations
Your friend gifted you that decorative item, but you never actually display it. Just because someone gave you a gift doesn't mean you have to hang onto it forever. To help let go of emotional attachments, write down what your friend or family member gave you in a journal. That way, you're able to honor your relationships by remembering the thought behind each gift without keeping the clutter.
Get an Objective Opinion
You're attached to your stuff, which can make it hard to decide what to let go. Get a friend or family member to help. They can say, "You're never going to use that—donate pile!" Their objective opinion is always helpful.
Consider a Minimalist Mindset
Minimalism doesn't mean throwing out everything and living with one couch and a mattress on the floor. You can still keep your family heirlooms, keepsakes, and favorite items. The point is to get rid of things that don't truly matter to you—items that don't bring value to your life shouldn't take up space in your new home. Moving is a rare opportunity to start fresh with only the belongings that genuinely serve a purpose.
Ready to start your clutter-free move? Get your free moving estimate from Two Small Men today. We can also help with storage services if you need somewhere to put belongings during the transition.