Throughout the process of relocating, choosing what stays and what goes is among the most straining tasks to determine. Many people resort to bringing everything with them to decide later. Just as many individuals ship the majority to a storage unit in an effort not to deal with it. In either case, you always end up with more stuff in one place than you would prefer.

Let’s face the facts. Nobody enjoys the process of moving. But there are ways to get through the ordeal of transference with minimalized stress levels. As equally important is holding onto the possessions you treasure most. There are ways to keep from throwing things of value away whilst also preventing unnecessary hoarding. To prevent cluttering your new home or storage unit, here are some useful tips to help you sift through what stays and what goes.

Prioritize Your Possessions

Prioritizing objects and possessions by importance can make the process go by easier. Determining what’s most important to you and your family, can help you eliminate unnecessary clutter.  As difficult as it may be, it may be time to face the facts of what you really need and what is no longer of use to you.

Whether for sentimental value or other reasons, many people tend to hoard more than they need in their homes. With each move, these possessions can further pile if left unmonitored. Piled belongings usually occur from a failure to prioritize what is needed and what is not. Force yourself to face the music by pausing to consider what is truly a necessity and what is not.

Store Your Possessions

If you cannot presently determine what is needed and what isn’t, there’s no shame in using a temporary storage unit. Some moves require rapid transfers that leave no time to filter your belongings, thus requiring storage methods. Modern storage units provide the utmost protection for your possessions that pose almost zero risk for security compromisation. By utilizing advanced access control systems software only accessible to you, your belongings are safely sheltered until you need them.

There are different types of storage units to choose from so don’t just go after the first one you see. Do your research and find one affordable and convenient enough for you to want to come back.

Consider What You Actually Use

The majority of the belongings we cling to are objects we no longer use. If something you’ve been holding onto has gone unused for a considerable amount of time, it’s likely time to toss it. This includes any object that has you saying, “I might use it one day”.

As humans, we often overcomplicate things more than is necessary. Simplifying things merely by categorizing them according to most and least used could help make your move the fastest so you can breeze through the elongated process.

Have a Garage or Online Sale

There’s no greater opportunity to condense your possessions prior to a move than a garage sale. The cliche, ‘one person’s garbage is another person’s treasure’ rings true in the case of a yard or garage sale.

Some movers need dollar signs to help them depart with what was once their prized possessions. If a garage sale helps give you that extra nudge to sever the ties with unnecessary personal effects, so be it.

While internet sales are quick, garage sales provide the benefit of extra cash in your pocket immediately. Allow the prospect of extra cash to be an added incentive. Help yourself part with possessions that would otherwise be difficult to split with, items you know are no longer needed.

Clean Out Your Closet

There are innumerable throw-away items one can find simply by clearing out your closet. Especially in the case of a family with children, forgotten clothes that have long since been outgrown can pile up quickly. This includes but is not limited to old toys, shoes, etc. that are no longer necessary to hold on to.  You may be surprised how much stuff there is in your wardrobe to toss or give away.

You may even find lost treasures you’ve been looking for amid the cleansing process. But, don’t worry, though you’re likely to come across keepsakes, they’ll certainly be outweighed by your discard pile.

The Final Word

Though moving is often a painstaking undertaking, these simplified tips can keep you from overthinking the task at hand. Trust your natural instincts and don’t overthink things. Mistakes happen most when you begin to second guess yourself with an indecisive mentality. With all the pros and cons of moving, the greatest detriment to the moving process most often can be yourself.