Most of us aren’t Marie Kondo. We have boxes and boxes worth of stuff that we don’t need–which can make the already overwhelming task of moving even more emotionally and logistically taxing. If only drawing a line in the sand between what’s worth keeping, what you should donate, and what gets canned was easy.

For help finding the right balance between decluttering and a successful residential move, contact Maffucci Moving. Our team can assist in sorting, packing, and even disposing of unwanted items, making the decluttering process a breeze. The right movers can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and hassle-free move, and our team happens to have the secret recipe.

How Do I Know if I Really Don’t Need Something?

Take an honest look at your belongings. We’re willing to bet that there’s a lot of stuff you haven’t used in the past year. Now that you’re moving, it’s the perfect time to reevaluate your relationship with it. Start by making a list of all your items, grouping similar items. Go through each category and ask yourself, “Do I use this regularly? Would it be hard to replace? Is it worth the cost of moving? Does it have sentimental value?” Toss anything that is truly trash, and recycle or re-home items that aren’t meant to stay.

Some items that might fit into this category include:

• Clothes that don’t fit
• Shoes you wore once and then never again
• Outdated electronics like old phones or VHS players
• Posters you bought in college
• Expired food
• Expired medications
• Expired makeup
• Stray cords
• Nonessential paperwork–shred it
• Worn sheets
• Instruction manuals
• Old tax returns (keep an electronic copy)
• Old bills and receipts
• Towels that don’t match or have discoloration

Are There Services That Can Help Me Declutter?

A professional organizer does more than clean up your space—they help you declutter while also developing sustainable storage and organization systems that suit your home and lifestyle. From decluttering your closet to managing paperwork, professional organizers offer tailored solutions to your unique needs and challenges. After working with you to uncover the root causes of disorganization in your home, an organization expert will devise customized solutions to your organizational problems. Their goal is to teach you organizing skills that enable you to regain control of your environment, helping you form habits to manage your space and keep it clutter-free in the long term.

Maffucci Moving & Storage has seen hundreds of moves and cemented a streamlined process with our customized decluttering solutions. Free up space in your mind and new home with our staging and storage solutions! We understand letting go of stuff is hard. These tips make the process simple and pain-free.

Can Decluttering Really Make A Difference in My Life?

Decluttering can be a liberating experience. Not only will you have less ‘stuff’ to clean and organize, but it won’t feel overwhelming. A less cluttered space will also help reduce the anxiety that a crowded area might cause. You’ll also find things more easily and stay more focused on your tasks, bringing a sense of relief and peace of mind.

Decluttering your space helps you figure out what matters most and how to prioritize it. With fewer distractions, you’ll feel more relaxed and grounded. Holding onto too much stuff can be a weight. It’s expensive to buy, store, and maintain things, not to mention the time and energy required to take care of all your belongings. In the end, decluttering will give you the energy for more complicated tasks, relieve guilt and uneasiness associated with past purchases, and make things easier to organize, access, and put away, empowering you and giving you a sense of control.

• Relieve guilt and uneasiness associated with past purchase
• Make things easier to organize, access, and put away
• Minimize the time and energy chores take
• Give you the energy for more complicated tasks

How Often Should I Declutter?

In general, decluttering a little each day in high-traffic areas like countertops is a good practice. Spend 5–10 minutes at the end of the day to review your mail and clear surfaces of items accumulated over the week. Each week, check your refrigerator and desk for leftover food and unfinished projects. Tidying up your personal spaces helps keep things functional and makes you feel proactive and in control of your space.

Monthly, check easily overlooked spots like closets, bookcases, and storage bins. You should also clean out your car! Take everything out of one area, decide what to keep and what to discard, and then put back only the items you want to keep. Once a year, declutter seasonal clothing, holiday decorations, and unused gear. When you switch from your summer wardrobe to winter clothes, go through the ones you’re packing away and donate anything you haven’t worn.

What’s The Biggest Mistake People Make When Trying to Declutter?

While decluttering may seem simple enough, people often make mistakes when doing it. When getting ready to organize, start with the small easy-to-manage categories first. This will help you make quick progress and build momentum to tackle the more difficult areas. For example, save paperwork, keepsakes, and photographs for last, as going through them takes a lot of time, decision-making, and can be emotionally draining.

Instead of trying to clean the entire large room at once, break it into smaller sections. For example, focus on the kitchen pantry one day, then the under-the-sink area, and finally the island. Breaking it into manageable parts will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and give you a clearer sense of progress as you work through it. This will also motivate you to keep going.

Here are some common mistakes people make when decluttering that you should avoid:

• The shuffle trap: Moving stuff from one room to another each time you organize a specific room
• Postponing decisions: Deciding to decide now prevents build-up from accumulating over time
• Overfilling storage spaces: If you can’t find space, it’s probably because your storage is already full. Go through what’s there before moving on.

Organize Your Home Ahead of The Move with Maffucci

If you need some help getting things organized for the big move, Maffucci is to the rescue! With more than 110 years of experience helping families and individuals complete successful moves, we’re the most reliable option in town.

Ready to ease your move with decluttering help? Contact Maffucci Moving today for a free estimate and expert assistance tailored to your needs.