Pretend You're Moving!

**AmyBoz** · 06-04-2011, 07:29 PM

I've posted about this before, but I think it's worth mentioning again.

If you are fed up with your clutter or your "stuff", pretend you're moving. Judge each item in your home with the focus of "Is it worth my time and energy to pack and unpack this item?"

We actually ARE moving, and even though I declutter and purge on a fairly consistent basis, I've decided to keep a running tally of what I get rid of as we pack.

So far, I've given away 25 of my books and 75 articles of Dd's clothing. I'd say we're off to a great start and that we'll definitely not be overcluttering the new house!

**OOwl** · 06-04-2011, 09:11 PM

We're moving right now too, and I totally agree. I am currently tossing stuff I didn't even know I had! Bleck! Why do we hold onto so much? I took FIVE trashbags full of clothes (some with tags still on!) to Good Will. I'm kind of disgusted to own so much STUFF. Good luck with your move, too.

**zakity** · 06-05-2011, 12:21 AM

Well, we aren't moving, but I am cleaning out the house like we are.

**mauimagic** · 06-05-2011, 01:08 AM

I agree that this message is worth revisiting at least once or twice a year!! That's how I've been handling my decluttering - would I pay to move this? If not, out it goes!!

**NicJean** · 06-05-2011, 04:29 AM

Growing up an Army brat helps and hurts in decluttering. We moved 26 times from the day I was born, to the day I moved out to go to college. I had to constantly give away or toss things that had value and meaning to me. Unfortunately, when I've 'had enough' and decide to clear out - everything goes, it's habit. Until I reach that point, however, I hang on to way too much stuff.

Am trying to only keep what I love, what is easy to clean (minimal upkeep), and what I have space for. Sounds simple, but some days, is hard.

Yesterday did fling 3 garbage bags full from mudroom/laundry/entry room. YAY!!

**frugal-fannie** · 06-05-2011, 05:26 AM

We may be moving again as we are looking to purchase soon. So we are trying to condense and continue selling older items or donating.

**2ndGenGranola** · 06-05-2011, 07:09 AM

I've been meaning to do that to the kids rooms. Maybe now is the time.

**krbshappy71** · 06-05-2011, 08:40 AM

I received a quote on my house that it would cost $5,000 to move everything in my house to the east coast where BF lives. So now I ask myself if its worth 5k to pack it and move it. This helps with the most sentimental items, because they are absolutely priceless, it keeps me from selling or donating those items but helps me let go of things that I wouldn't pay that much to move.

Then, I use that number to ask myself "I wonder how low I can go?" If its 5k now, and I get rid of stuff not needed for day-to-day life, I bet I can move even cheaper than that!

Some items I've earmarked in my brain to get rid of before moving but wont get rid of until that time just because I do have the space. (this house is too big for me) VCR and VHS tapes are in this category. Its all hooked up in the basement in case the summers get super hot and I want to watch a movie down there, but if I were to move they wouldn't be worth moving so they'll get donated at that time.

**Debbie-cat** · 06-05-2011, 11:10 AM

When cleaning out the storage trailer this spring, I also thought is it worth keeping these things or should I just get rid of them? I kept only the most sentimental items and donated the rest. It was very liberating!

**chevy_chick95** · 06-05-2011, 01:42 PM

We are going to try to move by the 15 of july. So i have been doing this. When we moved into this tiny apartment 2 years ago I got rid of 85% of our stuff. but there is always more to get rid of!

My challenge this week is to get rid of 10 things a day.

**udwe** · 07-01-2011, 09:03 AM

I cringe at the thought of moving esp since we've been rescuing stuff from flooding. I really want to pare down some stuff but it is just overwhelming & I've been too busy to even start.

**Lori63** · 07-02-2011, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by chevy_chick95

but there is always more to get rid of!

That is so true! I sometimes feel like I've gotten rid of everything I possibly can, then manage to find more to clear out.
We are hoping to downsize within the next 18 months, so I've been pulling things out to sell/trash/give away.

**patra** · 07-02-2011, 07:12 AM

I've been decluttering at a turtles pace, have to pick it up a bit...hard when I'm constantly running after my son, and every time I turn around another mess develops, have to organize the kids' rooms better, and get rid of a lot of junk!

patty

**AmyBoz** · 07-02-2011, 07:23 AM

Since we actually are moving, I'm definitely paring things down. So far, in addition to two large bags of trash that have gone out, we've given away/donated the following:
75 pieces of Julia's clothes
40 Julia's Books
40 Amy's books
5 Coloring Books
4 picture frames
7 notebooks
1 baby bouncer seat

And we aren't done yet!