Declutter Your Life
The first step in crafting the life you want is to get rid of everything you don’t.
The hardest part of decluttering your home once you’ve decided to move is getting rid of sentimental clutter. It’s hard enough to purge junk let alone boxes filled with cherished memories.
Here are seven steps to understanding what and how to let go:
1. Box it up and don’t let fate or a leaky basement determine what you save and what you don’t.
2. Enlist help if you need it. Just make sure it’s the right kind of help. It’s nice to have another body in the room to bounce ideas off of. If you’re the kind of person that works better with a partner then a friend could be a great motivator. BUT be sure to choose someone who will be an encourager and able to help you through the decluttering process.
3. Work in short intervals. Going through sentimental items can make you feel depleted, so limit work sessions to three or four hours.
4. You’ve heard the saying ‘take a picture because it will last longer” and this is very true. Admittedly, a digital image is not the item itself and there is no tactical joy to it but storing something on the computer doesn’t just save physical space, it also minimizes the risk from the preservationist standpoint.
5. Save the best and toss the rest. Meaning keep one to represent many. Sometimes we are inclined to hang on in bulk. Let’s say that you have several inherited tea pots, pick a favorite and donate the rest!
6. Give things to a new home! After all, it’s easier to part with beloved objects if you can later envision them being used by others.
7. Know your ABC’s! ALWAYS BE CLEARING! Your relationship to sentimental items will probably change over time. Give yourself permission to get rid of the things you once cherished. Every year or so, take a hard look at what you’ve kept in the name of love, and toss or donate anything that becomes more of a burden than a sweet memory. Distance gives you fresh perspective, a few years down the road, you’ll have a much better sense of what’s important and what’s not. Also be attuned to opportunities to pass things on as life evolves. Your niece moves into her first apartment and could use your moms cast iron cookware. A friend admires a dusty piece of artwork in the attic and her birthday is coming up. Remember the best, most enduring things are the ones you can’t touch.
If you’re thinking about making a move, please call 248-709-3786. Not only will we help you sell your home, but we will walk you through the process of preparing the house to ensure you get the best profit once sold.