Planning a move? Then you know how much is involved. Whether you’re on the verge of establishing a new life in another city or simply relocating to a new neighbourhood, it’s inevitable: There’s always a tremendous amount to organize and get done.

For many people, the process of packing up for a big move looms ahead like a dark tunnel - daunting, stressful, and overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right attitude, proper planning, some dedicated hard work, and a little creativity, it’s more than possible to enjoy your packing journey - and even uncover some unexpected rewards along the way!

In this post, we’ve taken a closer look at how to deal with a common packing problem: The piles of unwanted items that accumulate as you sort through belongings in preparation for moving day.

Follow the tips and suggestions below to discover how being intentional about the way you handle unwanted items can actually enable you to cut costs, streamline your move, reduce waste, support your community, and put a smile on the faces of those around you.

Let’s dive in:

The Benefits Of Decluttering Before A Move

We get it. The prospect of digging into little-used closets, exposing the contents of long-forgotten bins to the light of day, or venturing into unknown corners of the basement, attic, or garage can be...unappealing. Most people have way more stuff stored in their home than they realize, especially if they've lived on the same property for many years, and the task of sorting through it can feel tedious or overwhelming, bring up a range of unexpected emotions, or become something that gets pushed off time and time again.

Reframing the process of decluttering is vital. Fortunately, it’s not a tough thing to reframe. Why’s that? Because decluttering before a move has many inherent benefits. Here are a few:

• Cost Savings - With less to move, your moving costs will be lower - you'll be able to save money on everything from boxes to labour to storage. If you decide to sell unwanted items, you might even make some money along the way.
• Streamlined Move - Less to pack means less to organize come moving day. It also means less to unpack on the other end. Ultimately, it adds up to a quicker, easier transition from point A to point B.
• A Fresh Start - Make a fresh beginning in your new space free from clutter. Often, the process of releasing unwanted items can improve mental health, reduce anxiety, and wipe the slate clean - both physically and emotionally.

Getting Started

They say a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, but taking that first step can be tough. Here are some actionable suggestions to get the decluttering ball rolling - and keep the momentum going over time:

Start Early

The exact amount of time you'll need for decluttering will depend on the size of your home, the quantity of items in it, your schedule, and how quickly you're able to work. At Total Moving, we suggest beginning as early as possible - weeks, months, or even a whole year in advance of your move. That way, you won't feel rushed or pressured and can realistically get everything done before moving day arrives.

Schedule Dedicated Time For Decluttering

It’s nice to imagine that you’ll organically find free time to declutter, but for most of us, that’s not realistic! Be intentional about scheduling in time for decluttering so that it doesn’t continually fall to the bottom of your to-do list.

Attitude Is Key

While some of us actually enjoy decluttering, that’s not the case for everyone. So, find ways to make the experience something you look forward to:

• Get motivated by remembering all the benefits of what you’re doing (see above).
• Set a positive mood by putting on music or a podcast you enjoy listening to.
• Take before and after photos to document your progress along the way.
• Reward yourself with a treat afterwards, once you’ve achieved your decluttering goals for the day.

Stay Focused

Getting sidetracked can be a major hazard, especially with nostalgic items, but being efficient and powering through while decluttering is essential. We recommend setting aside items that bring up strong emotions to look at later, when you have time to fully process them alone or with loved ones.

Build Stamina

Start by decluttering lesser-used areas of your home (garage, basement, attic, spare rooms) to hone your sorting skills and build stamina. That way, by the time you get to areas that contain memorabilia or other more emotional items, you'll already have found your groove, had plenty of successes, and feel like a seasoned decluttering veteran.

Be Thorough

Don’t leave anything “for later”. Instead, take out everything in the area you’ve designated to declutter (this could be just a dresser, closet, or small section of a room, depending on the circumstances), and don’t move on until you’ve dealt with each item.

Pack And Organize As You Go

Once you’ve decided which items you’re keeping, go ahead and pack them up for moving day (provided they’re not high-use items, which should be left for later). Packing as you go represents an efficient and satisfying way to get ahead on your to-do list without having to backtrack into the same space more than once.

Cleaning and neatly organizing items as you place them in moving boxes or bins can also be a great housewarming gift for your future self. Trust us, unpacking sparkling, well-organized items is a pleasure. You won’t regret it!

Assess And Sort Your Belongings

It's time to get down to some specifics. Your first decluttering session has arrived. You've pulled everything out from the space you've chosen to tackle first. What next?

It’s time to start actively sorting and making decisions. While some items may be easy to part with, such as outdated clothes and old electronics, others can be tougher to let go. A good rule of thumb is to consider whether or not you’ve used an item within the past year, or perhaps the past two years or five years, depending on the criteria you prefer. If you haven't, you can probably realistically get rid of it (unless, of course, it holds high sentimental value).

As you work, we recommend sorting items into three primary piles:

• Keep
• Sell/Give Away
• Dispose/Recycle

These piles can be further sorted into other subcategories later on (see below), but making too many piles at this point in the process may lead to unnecessary clutter and confusion that ends up feeling tough to overcome.

Sell Unwanted Items

As you sort through items in your Sell/Give Away pile, decide which ones you think are worth selling. How will you know? One common strategy is to weigh the estimated resale value of the item against the amount of time and effort you think it'll take to sell it and make a decision accordingly.

Where's the best place to sell unwanted items? That depends on the type of item as well as your personal preferences. Here are a few suggestions:

• Have a yard sale on your own property or find a community garage sale to join.
• List items on an online marketplace such as Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji. If you go this route, be sure to take clear photos, write detailed descriptions, and set fair prices to increase your odds of a successful sale.
• Bring items to a consignment store. In this case, you'll only keep a portion of the amount items are sold for in the end, but the store will do all the heavy lifting for you.

Donate To Charity

Selling unwanted items is a great way to put a little extra cash in your pocket before moving day, but donating gently loved things to local charities can also have a major payoff in terms of supporting your community.

Many charities accept household items, but it's best to check in first before just showing up with boxes to give away. In fact, some charities are quite specific about the types of items they'll accept and the condition those items need to be in.

Regardless of which organization(s) you opt to donate to, make sure to drop off clean items that are neatly organized. Giving things away in the best condition possible not only helps you to feel good about your donation but also saves the charity time and energy on the other end.

Examples of the types of organizations that may accept household donations include:

• Thrift shops run by charities
• Homeless shelters
• Women’s shelters
• Newcomer support centres
• Resource centres for low-income families
• Faith-based organizations (churches, synagogues, mosques)
• Libraries
• Schools or community centres

If you live in Winnipeg, you can check out charitable organizations like Centre Flavie, Habitat for Humanity Manitoba, Diabetes Canada, and many more.

Recycling And Disposal

Realistically, you're going to end up with some items that simply need to be disposed of. For large-scale cleanouts, renting a dumpster can be a viable decluttering option. If you anticipate you'll have a lot of trash but not enough to fill a dumpster, you can also check with your city if it offers bulk trash pickup options.

Making recycling a priority is a great way to reduce the environmental impact of your move, but you may find that you’re uncertain about how to recycle or dispose of certain items that turn up during your decluttering process. To learn more about how to deal with items like batteries and electronics, paint, hazardous materials, tires, scrap metal, old mattresses, and more, we recommend contacting your city or municipality directly. If you live in Winnipeg, you can use this list of accepted items at 4R Winnipeg recycling depots as a starting point.

Gifting To Friends And Family

Giving away once-loved items to friends or family members who will treasure them anew can be a wonderful way to give your unwanted items a new life while also brightening the lives of others. As you sort through your belongings, consider which items might pique the interest of people close to you. Pre-loved gifts often hold special meaning, especially items like vintage jewelry or clothing, old books, stuffed animals, handmade items, or family heirlooms.

Upcycling And Repurposing

Before you give away an item for good, take a pause and consider this: Could it be repurposed into something you'd actually use?

The idea of upcycling is to transform something unwanted into something with increased value or appeal. Old ceramics could be turned into a beautiful mosaic. A broken bicycle could become a stunning garden feature. That ripped t-shirt could become part of a re-imagined fashion statement.

Here's where your own imagination and creativity come into play. Think outside the box (ha!) and embrace the potential for unwanted items to take on new life before your eyes!

Storage Options

Renting a storage unit may not have been part of your moving plan, but if you've come across items you're truly not ready to part with but don't have room for in your new home, paying for short-term or long-term storage could be a viable option. Learn more here about affordable storage options through our affiliate, Total Storage Winnipeg.

Organizing And Packing Tips

We'll leave you with a few more quick tips as you prepare to embark on your decluttering and packing journey:

• Always declutter before you pack
• Gather all packing supplies before you start (boxes, tape, packing materials)
• Pack by room
• Pack non-essentials first (leave high-use items until the end)
• Maintain an inventory of boxes and their contents
• Keep valuables separate

Planning to move after the snow flies? See our post on preparing items for a winter move.

Plan Ahead For Your New Space

When moving day finally arrives and you find yourself surrounded by clean, organized, carefully packed boxes filled with only the items you're certain you want, you'll fully realize the value of what you've achieved. Take a deep breath. Unpack slowly, relishing the experience of finding the right place for each item. And know that you're truly ready to move forward free of clutter.

Conclusion

Seeking experienced movers in Winnipeg to help you transition into your new home, wherever it may be located? Contact our professional team at Total Moving today! We look forward to working with you.