Moving interstate can be a lot of work. This is why you shouldn’t make it any harder on yourself. By getting rid of stuff you don’t need before your interstate move, you can lessen the stress overall. One place that probably has a lot of clutter is in your garage. Before you tackle an interstate move, utilize these tips for cleaning out and decluttering this area.
1. Declutter In Stages
It can take quite a bit of time to declutter your whole garage. This is why you should do it in stages. Trying t do too much at one time can be overwhelming. You might find that it’s just not realistic to try to clean out your entire garage in just one afternoon. Set aside a certain amount of time every few days to go through the items in your garage. You’d be surprised at how much stuff you can get rid of in as little as 30 minutes.
2. Sort Items Into Piles
It’s easier to declutter if you have a place for everything that you are going through. Create piles for items you are keeping, throwing away, donating and selling. When you look at each item, put it in a pile right away. Try not to create a pile for items that you are unsure about. This will greatly slow down the entire process. If you aren’t sure about something, then the chances are that, you really don’t need it. If you plan on decluttering in stages, the only items that should be left at the end of each day are the ones that you are keeping. Immediately throw out or donate items that you are sure you are getting rid of. For items that you plan on selling, take pictures of them and put them for sale right away so that you don’t change your mind.
3. Involve The Whole Family
Sometimes it’s difficult to make a decision as to what to keep and what to get rid of. This is why you should get the whole family involved. They can help make decisions, and you won’t feel guilty about getting rid of stuff that doesn’t belong to you. Get the whole family involved by giving everyone a job. For instance, you can make one person responsible for hauling out the trash, and you can make someone else responsible for taking photos of items that you plan on selling.
4. Don’t Keep Items Based On How Much You Paid For Them
Many individuals keep items simply because they paid a lot for them. If they aren’t being used, then you are better off selling them. The money you spent on these items is already gone. There is no use in them taking up garage space no matter how much they cost. You are better off selling the items before you move, and you can use the money made to help offset some of your moving costs.
In conclusion, it’s important to clean out your garage before moving to a new state. It will allow you to not bring a lot of items you don’t need with you. It may take some time for you to go through your entire garage, but decluttering before an interstate move will be well worth the time it takes.
