With National Moving Day happening earlier this week, we’re now officially in “moving/relocation season”. If you’re among those who are planning a move this summer, I don’t have to tell you how stressful the whole experience can be.
One of the BEST ways you can make the moving process less stressful is to execute OPERATION DECLUTTER in the months leading up to your move. If you’ve taken the time up front to clear out those items that are no longer relevant, not serving you, or past their prime, you won’t be spending needless time and money packing and relocating those items.
Don’t think that clutter is that big of an issue? According to a national study released this week by SpareFoot, more than half of Americans describe their home as cluttered and 61 percent believe moving is the best opportunity to declutter their home.
The Storage and Moving study confirms what we already know to be true about the negative impact that clutter has on our health, relationships and productivity. What could we be doing with those 2+ hours a week we’re spending looking for lost things?
I dug further into the study, and found some not-so-surprising statistics regarding why people are reluctant to part with their things. No surprise, the top 2 barriers that the study identified were:
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The “I might need this someday” syndrome
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The item holds some sentimental value
So much of the data presented in the study jibes with my experience as a professional organizer working hands-on with clients. Guilt is a huge barrier for some people to overcoming during the declutter process, particularly the guilt associated with getting rid of things that were given to them as gifts, and passed down to them by other family members. And greeting cards…oh those greeting cards!
INTRODUCING THE DECLUTTER TOOL KIT
My mission with this blog is to give people the tools they need to live a more organized lifestyle. So naturally, helping people to hone their decluttering skills is a big part of that. I’ve written many posts on the topic of decluttering and have provided several resources throughout the blog to help you during the declutter process. This week as I read through the Storage and Moving study, I thought to myself, “wouldn’t it be great if I created one killer comprehensive decluttering resource that would give someone everything that they needed to tackle a massive decluttering project (like the one you’d complete prior to relocating)”?
And just like that, the Declutter Tool Kit was born!
The Declutter Tool Kit is a 15-page ebook that includes everything you need to complete your decluttering project:
The Kit walks you through the prep work you’ll need to do before you begin your decluttering project and provides you with several key printables that you can use during the declutter process. It includes a guide that walks you through an actual decluttering session. After you’ve completed your decluttering, you’ll learn how to cash in on your decluttering efforts and reap the full tax benefits of decluttering.
Most importantly, you’ll also learn about the clutter-busting habits you’ll need to adopt in the future in order to keep the clutter at bay once you’ve completed a major purge.
The Declutter Tool Kit is available for FREE in my Resource Library for newsletter subscribers. You can gain access to the Resource Library by completing the form at the end of this post.
I’m excited to help you along on your decluttering journey, my friend!
Do you have a move in your future? Tell me what your thoughts are when it comes to decluttering before that move?
Jo A. Holmgren says
Totally agree with you about garage stuff. Will be doing mine when weather cools down a bit and the pollen is not flying around.
Yes, I wear a mask but allergies abound and I do very strong shots. Thank you for all your hints and advice. Learn something all the time. Jo
P.S. I am 80 years old and still moving. My PA thinks I am SPRY – not so sure some days. I just keep moving.
Michelle Garner says
Thank you.
Jimi says
So lucky to stumble upon your site.
My aunt died two years ago and I brought most of her estate home with me. It is still sitting. Yes, I have guilt getting rid of 13 homemade quilts from a great grandmother, whom I never knew. Yes, I think I can sell some things, but listing, photographing 161 boxed Barbies, is overwhelming. And crocheted doilies by the dozens, all that hard work. You all know these dilemmas. What about pictures three generations ago which have no meaning.
Yes, I’m blessed to find this site. Maybe next year at this time, I can write and say, There’s nothing on my porch except what I want.
Cheers, Jimi
Natalie Gallagher says
Oh Jimi,
I hear you. “Inherited clutter” can be tremendously difficult to deal with because of all of the issues you touched upon in your comment. It might be worth looking into hiring a professional organizer in your area who can help you work through the job of decluttering these items. Even if only to get you started in the process, s/he can help you with the mindset issues that you will invariably face during the task and help you come up with a set of decision-making criteria to make the process go more quickly and less painfully. Best of luck to you!
BlogAid says
Thank you for the extra info, Natalie. I have “inherited clutter” I need to deal with too.
Judy Feinstein says
I would love your de-clutter tool and information! For photos, and just general clutter around the house.
Sharon says
I am always looking for new organizing tips! I’m excited to find you!
Natalie Gallagher says
Excited to have you as a reader!
Mary Hoppe says
Love your inspiring tips. Cannot wait to begin.
Natalie Gallagher says
Thanks Mary! Best of luck on your Decluttering journey!
Denise says
I’m so ready to get my house more organized. I’m hoping this will finally be it. Thank you!!
Destiny Snuke says
Thank you . Need help with de-cluttering.
Natalie Gallagher says
Destiny, that makes you normal! Hope you find the Tool Kit helpful!
Cindy Knoll says
I need this more than ever! Excited to do this challenge!
Natalie Gallagher says
‘Tis the season for decluttering Cindy! Of course, I would argue that decluttering is great to do year ’round! Awesome that you are capitalizing on that “New Year’s Decluttering Energy”!
Seana Turner says
What a great resource! I hope you are having a lot of interest. It’s never the wrong time to declutter!
Natalie Gallagher says
Yep, it’s a really popular free resource on my site!
Sarah says
This is awesome! No plans to move, but we are re-doing our kitchen and it has prompted me to look around at all the stuff that is getting in our way as we live in “construction mode.” Time to declutter!
Natalie Gallagher says
Yey Sarah!! Yes, no better time to declutter than when you’re 1) Moving or 2) Renovating!!