The Importance of De-cluttering Before Moving
I recently moved out of my one bedroom apartment, but only after I completed a thorough purge before packing up my belongings. If you’re not familiar with a purge, it's the process of assessing your belongings to determine which items you will keep and which ones you will let go. I highly suggest you do this before moving because it's pointless to haul unwanted items to your new space. I associate moving with a fresh start - new beginnings; the items that make the transition with you should enhance your space, not overwhelm it.
A few weeks before moving, I sorted through my belongings and assessed each piece of clothing before packing them up. During my purge, I came across a pair of shoes, two purses, a jacket, one sweater, and one dress that no longer fit, match my style, or I just didn't enjoy anymore. The items I purged were still in really good condition so I decided to donate them to DC Goodwill. Since I started the purge weeks before my move, I was able to drop off some other items but when you’re preparing for a move time can be limited. I love that DC Goodwill provides free mailing labels and boxes for you to ship your donated items to their center. For the items I was unable to drop-off I just went online, entered my information, and a few moments later a shipping label was emailed to me to be printed and placed onto the box. I was able to use an old box to ship my items but if you need boxes you can request complimentary ones from DC Goodwill. There are some mailing parameters, so be sure to make sure you reside in their service area. They also provide a pick-up service which you can learn more about - here!
I opted to donate my items because I didn't have the time to manage negotiations but if you want to earn some extra cash which could be use towards moving costs, then you may want to consider selling items on the following platforms: Letgo, OfferUp, Poshmark, ThredUp, and Facebook Marketplace.
Benefits to De-Cluttering:
Saves you time from having to purge and unpack your items simultaneously at your new space
Opportunity to earn extra cash if you sell your items on various selling platforms
Helps you feel lighter and not weighed-down because you're no longer holding on to useless items
The day of the move, I felt very light and free because I had let go of items that no longer served me. It was important to me that I enter into my new space with only the items that I will find useful and will serve a purpose. Lately, I have been expressing a lot of gratitude and acknowledge that the purged items served a purpose and are now being sent on their way with positive vibes and energy, to the new owner who will “find the good” in them just as I once did.
Be sure to purchase the Resource E-Guide: Simple Yet Effective Steps To Plan For a Move Like a Pro! It's filled with step-by-step instructions, checklists, tips, a case study, and product recommendations to ensure you're move is streamlined and organized!
