![\"LightenYour](\"https:\/\/movinginsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/LightenYour-LoadBeofre-1024x512.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re about to move, your time is precious. You don\u2019t want to waste it packing<\/a> things you won\u2019t even use in your new home. Here are a few tips for how to lighten your load before moving day:<\/p>\n It\u2019s difficult to find time for things we want <\/i>to do, let alone things we don\u2019t<\/i> want to do. However, clearing your home of unnecessary items is something you\u2019ll have to actively make time for. Luckily, the times you choose are completely up to you. Maybe you\u2019d like to take 30 minutes A few motivational tips:<\/p>\n 1. Dive right in. <\/b>Whether you\u2019re planning to remove clutter first thing in the morning, or when you get home from work, start right away. If you\u2019re anything like me, the first thing you want to do after work is kick back with an iced tea and a movie. Don\u2019t let yourself do it before you accomplish your task for that day. Once you sit down, you won\u2019t get back up!<\/p>\n 2. Play some tunes. <\/b>Whenever I take on any sort of cleaning or organizing job, music is essential. I work well with upbeat tempos playing throughout the house because it gets my energy level up. Listen to whatever motivates you to get the job done\u2014classical, rock, pop or even meditative recordings. It doesn\u2019t necessarily have to be music.<\/p>\n 3. Pick your reward. <\/b>While you\u2019re busy clearing out your unwanted items, think of a way to reward yourself afterward. It may be that movie and iced tea, or something totally different. Choose something that will push you through organizing all that clutter.<\/p>\n Some of us have trouble letting go of sentimental items, or ones we\u2019ve convinced ourselves we\u2019ll need one day. Unfortunately, this causes us to have quite a bit of junk around the house. When you\u2019re cleaning out your home, ask yourself if you\u2019ve used each item within the past 6 months. No? Throw it out. Of course, there are annual items such as holiday decorations. But ask yourself if you\u2019ve even used them within the past couple of years. If not, it\u2019s probably time to give them the boot.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/b>Be honest with yourself when deciding what you will and won\u2019t use. Getting rid of all these items could mean a smaller moving truck<\/a> or trailer<\/a> for your move. \u00a0It’s not easy, but it’s the best way to lighten your load.<\/p>\n It often feels wasteful to throw away masses of items that are still in good shape. Donating things like clothes, books and toys is a great way to get them out of your home. You may no longer need them, but someone else does. Once you know your belongings are being put to use, it\u2019ll be easier to let them go.\u00a0Some items you may want to donate before a move are:<\/p>\n The 6-month rule can be awfully scary for those sentimentalists out there. While you should do your absolute best to stick to it, don\u2019t be too hard on yourself. Allow yourself a couple of cheat items\u2014things that have absolutely no use but are important to you emotionally.<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s a trinket your spouse gave you on the first date, or an old family heirloom, go ahead and hold on to it. If you go cold turkey, you might give up on the entire process altogether. \u00a0However, be sure these items don\u2019t become a collection.<\/p>\n Once we toss that last\u00a0box of junk out of our homes, we always say the same thing: \u201cI\u2019ll never <\/i>let things get this way again.\u201d However, we don\u2019t always follow through. Once you get settled in your new abode:<\/p>\n 1. Look around. <\/b>Take in the hard work you\u2019ve done to achieve a less-cluttered living space. Remember 2. Decide on a schedule. <\/b>Make a mental note of how frequently you\u2019ll be cleaning out your new home. Be realistic with your schedule and pick a time you\u2019ll actually want.<\/p>\n 3. Follow through. <\/b> You guessed it\u2014this is both the hardest and most important step. Think of it this way: it\u2019s far easier to get rid of small amounts of clutter more frequently, than to take it all on after it\u2019s built up for years. You\u2019ll never have to work as hard as you did before your move if you just do a weekly or monthly walk-through.<\/p>\n![\"lighten](\"https:\/\/movinginsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Untitled-design.jpg\")
Set Aside Time<\/h3>\n
\neach day for awhile (depending on how much clutter you have), or maybe you want to tackle it all at once. Whichever route you take, stick with it and don\u2019t make excuses. You may have to record your favorite show and watch it later, or skip happy hour this week with your friends\u2014but it\u2019ll be well worth it.<\/p>\n![\"lighten](\"https:\/\/movinginsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Untitled-design-1.jpg\")
Follow the 6-Month Rule<\/h3>\n![\"Lighten](\"https:\/\/movinginsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Untitled-design-2.jpg\")
Donate<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Lighten](\"https:\/\/movinginsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Untitled-design-3.jpg\")
Give Yourself a Break<\/h3>\n![\"Lighten](\"https:\/\/movinginsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Untitled-design-4.jpg\")
Keep it Up<\/h3>\n
\nhow much time you put into lightening your load, and you hopefully won\u2019t let it happen again.<\/p>\n