Bag hovering inches above the staircase, I felt a rip. The stitches started snapping in an uncontrollable domino effect around the circumference. After moving all day, I knew nothing could stop it.
Everything promptly tumbled and spilled down the stairs. I was no longer carrying miscellaneous household goods—just two useless, plastic straps.
I suddenly felt the weight of our possessions. Literally.
I’ve moved friends and family more times than I can count. Bottom of boxes have caved in, waffle irons have fallen on feet, and someone has sworn in exasperation, “Never again! Why do we own this anyway?”
Despite these aggravations, there is a joy that remains after every move. Paring down items, packing up, and moving are lasting, growthful processes. Moving empowers us to have a healthier relationship with stuff.
I’ve moved 15 times in my life—and enjoyed each and every new location I’ve been able to call home.
When we move, we are required to physically handle each of our possessions four times: put it in a box; take it out of the house; bring it into the new home; unpack and put away.
It is, unarguably, one of the best times in life to declutter possessions.
If you’ve got a transition coming up or are right in the middle of one now, here are six ways to declutter when you move:
1. Get started early.
Packing up a home (and decluttering along the way) always takes more time than we think, so get started earlier than you think. Moving is an important time to declutter. Getting started early will keep you from the familiar panic as moving day inevitably creeps up on you.
2. Evaluate everything.
The act of picking up, packing, and lifting full boxes can provide an appreciation for what we continue to carry. Moves prompt us to consider what we’ve taken for granted. These times allow us to question our choices—our ownership. To place that thing in a box means you’ll continue to carry it. So, ask yourself, “Why do I own this? What does this object provide me? Am I ready to continue carrying this?”
3. Scan for dust.
Rub your finger along your old tupperware, unused glasses, or that extra blender you never knew you had. Does it have dust? This simple trick is something you can employ to judge usefulness. To purchase something, make room for it, and then let it collect dust should tell you whether you need it. Dust is your friend when you’re looking to own less and lighten your load going forward.
4. Challenge tendencies to collect and hoard.
Living in a space for years allows you to collect and add. Moving allows us to challenge these urges—to avoid hoarding tendencies. At some point, everything must be considered. While this might be a hoarder’s nightmare, moving forces us to refocus on what we choose to collect (today and in the future).
5. Practice letting go.
It is important to realize that consumption can never be completely quenched. We have urges. Marketers will continue to try and sell you more stuff, too. But there is much freedom to be found in getting rid of stuff and consuming less. However, subtraction doesn’t tend to be a natural part of the process when staying planted and living in one place for long periods. Moving provides a natural reason to practice letting go.
6. Donate and sell stuff.
Every move I’ve ever completed included visits to Goodwill and other non-profit organizations. Additionally, secondhand stores allow you to make a little extra money from all we declutter. These opportunities keep us grounded and allow for more generous considerations. We’re thinking about others’ needs when giving—which has benefits of its own.
7. Embrace friends and family.
Moving involves great psychological and physical effort. Friends and family have always been an incredible help in these times. Surprisingly, allowing these people in allows for an accountability of our purchases. Family can be quick to ask, “Why do you have three remotes at the back of the closet?” They’re asking the questions we need to be asking ourselves, as well. Additionally, having help can provide an appreciation and gratitude for those around you—and the burden you’re asking them to carry.
My family and I have lived in our current house for ten years now. We’ve grown to appreciate less total square footage, and found ways to stay close to the value of minimalism.
But there’s nothing quite like moving to remind us of the weight of stuff.
If you’re happy where you are, great! In that case, consider looking for ways to regularly engage in these processes whenever you can. Evaluate, scan, challenge, practice, donate, and embrace—regardless of whether you’re moving next week or never again.
I moved 10 times in 3 years awhile ago. I had 90 Rubbermaid containers that I took with me and never unpacked most of them. I kept telling myself that when I found my forever place I would need all this stuff. I had just gone through a divorce and moving away from family. I thought it would bring me comfort. It never did. Now in my 69’s I’m finally letting go and helping family and friends do the same. It’s so freeing.
nice.
The CEO of Goodwill makes mega bucks and exploits its workers. If you are going to donate, try local shelters and other places/organizations that will help others less fortunate in your community.
I’ve heard Goodwill is a for-profit business, but don’t know for sure. Just to be safe, I don’t donate to them.
Maybe just to be safe, ring them up to ask
There is NO Goodwill at Goodwill. CEO makes 6 figures a year. There are much better options to donate to. Local community charities, Veterans, Habitat for Humanity, Women In Distress. Just to name a few. I donate to my local Animal League and The Linus Project they have more specific needs. Blankets, towels, etc. check their websites out.
When I got divorced 12 years ago, I went through a lot of excess stuff, holiday decorations, knickknacks I had stored, clothing, and a lot of other random stuff and had a large yard sale and donated a lot to Goodwill, and I felt like I did a major declutter, OR, SO I THOUGHT!! When the time to move came, I felt like the job of moving my stuff was never ending, and I didn’t take any furniture except for my daughter’s bed and a cedar chest. I had tons of clothes to move and the worst part was most of them did not fit as I had gained weight, but held on to them for when I lost the weight. Some of these clothes were stored in plastic bins (8, or more, of them) that were very heavy to carry. Guess what? I did lose the weight, but when I tried on the clothes, they were either out of style or something I just didn’t really care for and I ended up donating them. I wanted to kick myself for wasting my time moving them and storing them for 6 months. I should’ve decided what I actually needed and got rid of everything I didn’t need. I learned a valuable lesson about having too much useless junk.
I never had much growing up or living on my own. Once I got married I found myself buying things for the kids, and still do and grandkids or friends but don’t always get around to giving the items to them. I have to hide things because my husband will randomly throw my things into the trash, burn them or give them away without asking me. This just makes me hide things even more instead of getting to display the things I would enjoy in my home or to give to the people they were intended for in the first place.
If you are hiding things maybe you could ask yourself “why is my partner upset if he sees this?” I understand shipping stuff to kids/grandkids that live out of state; finding time and the right label to return ordered items; but when a spouse is upset to the point they throw something away, it’s a signal that they are not comfortable in the space. Maybe you are taking up every extra space that your spouse likes to see cleared? Or maybe it’s symbolic of money being spent that could be saved; or different interests so that your spouse doesn’t appreciate the things you snag on sale. Whatever configuration accurately describes your home, it’s good to figure out where the rough edges are. My husband is a lefty and I’m right handed; paper clutter bothers me but not him do much; I like everything in its place, my husband is more relaxed. I have learned that my systems need to incorporate our differences and both our needs. For most of us it is true that things are not worth anger in the home. Find out what is the middle ground for both of you OR just join the course and go through it with an open mind and allow the support, tips and insights to work on your situation. We all desire harmony at home. The more I declutter, the more harmony there seems to be.
My parents (82 & 87) just moved. Downsized by about a half. Now that they are in their new place, 1/2 could still go. Mom, you don’t need to keep reams of wrapping paper. Buy what you need, but don’t STORE IT!
Those age groups went through hard times, the depression, WW2
to finally be able to afford certain items , they become treasured.
Stocking up , to be prepared if we face hardships again , is my thought on why we keep and hate to part with anything
I only move about every 10 years. Every time I move I get rid of half my stuff, and when I get to the next place I wish I’d gotten rid of another half. I’m getting ready to move again and trying to keep that in mind. I have been decluttering, continually, for decades. My new house is not small by any stretch, mainly because we have hobbies which require space. I also am an artist and love being surrounded by art (sculptures as well as paintings). But I designed our new house to have a specific “home” for every single thing I own, in a way which is organized and uncluttered. I’m hoping this will allow me to have a space which stays clean and uncluttered but is still comfortable and reflects our personalities.
Agree with start early! I started casually decluttering a year before my actual move. And packing my own stuff and handling the cartons myself made me remove stuff right up to the morning of the move. I didn’t want to handle it one more time! And honestly, I didn’t miss anything I got rid of. I’d rather be the one to kiss it goodbye and handle it one last time rather than burden my daughter or have a stranger or yet-to-be-born grandchild toss it who doesn’t know the story behind it.
I divorced someone who tended to “collect”, and it felt good to be rid of his “stuff”. I moved 1000 miles 8 years later, and felt good that I gave away a lot prior to that move. However, 8 years later, I find that I haven’t pulled about a quarter of what I brought with me out of the basement. Plus, my parents died, and I have extra clutter, even though I gave away 95% of their possessions. I am planning to move again in 2 years to what will hopefully be my final home, and have vowed not to bring any of the extra with me. I also don’t want my kids to have to decorated my stuff when it’s time. I have joined a local But Nothing page and am slowly whittling away at the unnecessary and duplicate items, as well as those items that have been dormant for so many years. I
It has been painful to give away some things, but I feel good once the items are gone. They are not in a landfill and someone less fortunate than myself gets something fun or useful.
My husband is a hoarder and I have to sneak stuff out of the house to the dump or a charity. Trying to work on him and say all this stuff will be thrown out by our daughter when she inherits house. I don’t want to leave her with this headache. He wasn’t like this 30 years ago when we had nothing. He holds onto stuff from his mother and grandparents. It’s stuff that should be donated to someone who could use or as I say the Smithsonian. HELP. It is causing me great grief and anxiety and sleeplessness nights. I want my home to be a sanctuary not a junkyard but he doesn’t see it that way. He is not embarrassed at all but I am!!
Living with someone who’s ideas of order differ from yours can be very stressful. We can only change ourselves. We can lead by example. We can encourage our loved ones to seek professional help. Sometimes we need a mediator or counselor to help us navigate those spots where we are floundering.
I am NOT a health care professsional, but I’ve seen this lived out, with family members, and others. ( I had an Uncle who hoarded and a MIL who does. My late husband would ‘clean out’ his work truck by taking all the detritis of the week ie receipts, tool bits, spare parts, etc., and put them into a plastic store bag. Then this bag would get left on his desk, on a shelf or in a box. He would do the same thing after ‘cleaning up’ from a DIY project. Years after his death I was still cleaning out some of these random bags. Sometimes I would literally scream in frustration when I’d find another one. I can laugh NOW. ) Is he perhaps, having a very difficult time coming to terms with the loss of loved ones? By hanging onto their things he may feel that he is keeping their memories alive, or keeping them closer. And perhaps, he does not realize the pain its causing you. Or perhaps is he having some other health issues that prevent him from clear thinking, and the ability to make decisions about what to do with things?
While sneaking his things out, may help in the short term, its not solving the underlying issue.
In life, as in airplanes, we need to put our own oxygen mask on first.
Best wishes in going forward with your best life.
My husband does the same thing. There are so many plastic bags around with receipts and even garbage. He says he doesn’t have time to look through them. It’s the most frustrating thing to me.
I almost messaged you to see if you had a post on moving! I’m moving from Oregon to New Mexico, when I’ve rarely moved more than 20 miles (in 65 years!). I’m only taking what can fit in a uhaul pod, which isn’t a lot. I’m having moments of feeling frozen and moments of feeling excited about getting rid of stuff I don’t love. I’ll take my time after I move, finding only furniture that I absolutely love and that is seriously comfortable. Those are my requirements for future possessions. Thanks for the post!
Perfect timing!
In every corner I have done this in the past. Until the end if my fourth moving due to jobs relocation I have found I ‘ve kept a lot of junks in those boxes that I thought I have discarded. LoL ?
I may be moving to a home with one less bedroom, a smaller kitchen and no basement. I don’t have as much as some people but I still have more than I need. Those basement items are going to have to go somewhere and it may have to be out the door.
Moving from a house I’ve lived in for forty years to a small condo. From attic to basement, there are things that have been there the entire time. I’ve wondered whatever happened to that cashmere sweater I bought overseas. Maybe I will find what’s left of it?. Wish me luck. I’m going in!
Have lived in our home for 38 yrs. Our home became a ‘storage unit’ for parents and grandparents as they left this world more than 20yrs ago. Not one relative came to get the items they asked us to ‘hold on to for just a short while’. We are now planning a move in 2022. Boxes that have not been opened for all those 20 plus yrs are getting a one minute (or less) peek and then headed to a thrift store ~ much is going to the county landfill. It is very freeing!! I wish we had not made our home available for a storage unit, which in turn created so much more work for us now…in our later years.
I have moved 15+ times. I love the decluttering each time we move. Six years ago we bought our home and I took 2 vanfuls of stuff to donate, and that’s after being a minimalist for quite a while (although my family isn’t quite on board yet). It’s so freeing to remove unwanted stuff from my life. Mostly it’s gifts people give us that ends up being given away. I try to tell people instead of stuff, if they really feel they want to buy a gift, make it time spent together making memories over a movie, mini golf, a meal, bowling, playing board games together, whatever…just no more stuff.
I agree Lisa,beautifully put . It’s all about the memories we make along life’s journey that really matters in the end
I volunteer in a resale shop. Considering the amount of donations we get, decluttering and minimalism are a part of many people’s lives, including our kids. Now my husband and I are downsizing within the next year from a six-bedroom house to a condo. We’re starting to rehome many things, first if the kids want anything, if not then try to sell the things. Last resort, they go to the resale shop.
Moving is one of the best times to find out which items you really don’t need any more and which items you do. You find out that you haven’t really used a lot of the stuff in your house in the last year or so so you can practice letting go a lot better.
I am planning to retire next year and move to another state to be closer, to my children and granddaughter. I grew up in a British Army family and so moving countries every three years was pretty normal, I remember even as a child a sense of excitement at the thought of “starting fresh”. I am so pleased I have started this whole process now, it means I will have time to fine tune and trim down some more excess if need be.
I use to know someone who grew up in the military who moved many times as a kid & talked about how great it was to declutter every few years. She ended up marrying & neither of them were military and never had to move. After a few years of seeing their stuff pile up, she now pretends she is moving every couple of years. She will literally pack up and empty an entire room as if they are moving. Then she will unpack it & put stuff away. In doing so she ends up doing a major purge every couple of years. I always thought that was a great idea but never did it.
We live in a very small house and don’t have a whole lot but we are planning on moving soon & I can’t wait to purge. ?
Moving? I have spent 20 years just moving from room to room…
Now its going i have alot to reflect on!!!!
What do i need really..
Its taken a year as my family are rebellious about letting things go..but i feel like im on the right path ?
Oh Lisa that sentence “I’ve spent 20 years moving from room to room” resonated so much with me! It made me laugh with total empathy! I’ve recently descovered Joshua’s you tube channel and this is my first visit to his Blog.
I’m definitely a convert to the minimalist lifestyle! Just can’t get hubby on board…yet!
Thanks for sharing your story :-)
Welcome to the blog. You’ll find 12+ years of my writing here… so buckle up!
Goodwill is a FOR PROFIT organization. I never ever donate to them.
Goodwill is an American nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Source.
Number 6 was the most helpful when we moved across the country a few years back. We managed to get rid of 75% of our possessions, and never bothered to replace them.
Once you commit to taking the first step and then sell/donate something, it becomes much easier for each additional item after that. We no longer see our possessions as ‘part of us’, and that makes it much easier to avoid accumulating more ‘stuff’.
I’ve moved many times over the last 20 years. Nothing gives me a better feeling about STUFF than getting rid of it. With each move it becomes less and less. I haven’t moved recently but I still practice moving twice a year. It sure has made finding, cleaning and using the items I really use stand out. Great article, thank you!