Moving to Rochester MN - Declutter in 5 easy steps
GETTING STARTED
Start small (one space at a time)
No judgement (if it was easy we’d have no clutter)
Hire professionals or enlist friends to help
If you’re not using it - sell it or give it away
Step 1: Give yourself plenty of time. Then remember it will probably take 50% longer than you expect
Step 2: Make a schedule and stick to it. 1hr/week or 3hrs/weekend or whatever you can commit to
Step 3: Declutter by category, not by room. Seeing all like items together at once can inspire and motivate you to be a little more ruthless in your decluttering decisions
Step 4: Enter each decluttering zone with 3 large boxes or bags labeled: keep, donate/sell, trash/recycle. These will travel to each area as you are decluttering. Rochester MN has a active Facebook Marketplace for selling items, Goodwill and Savers are excellent for donating and anything specific to a home that is in good condition could be dropped off at Habitat for Humanity Restore.
Step 5: Start with non-sentimental zones: car, purse, pantry, fridge/freezer, hallway closet, a single drawer in your kitchen or bathroom. It’s easier to let go of things you’re not emotionally attached to so practice on these areas before proceeding to full rooms or memory boxes. Side note: if you have lived in Rochester MN for several years you will probably have accumulated some stuff that needs purging. If you do drift down memory lane, which will happen, just recognize it and put those items aside for a later date and continue on. This is declutter time!
SET RULES AND BOUNDARIES
If you didn’t even know you had it, donate it to someone else who will use it
Turn all your hangers facing the same direction in the closet. If you wear the item, face the hanger the other direction when you hang it back up. After a few months you’ll begin to see a pattern in what you love to wear. Apply this strategy to everyday clothing not seasonal or special occasion wear
I read somewhere that we only wear 2 out of every 10 pairs of shoes we own! Either wear them or pass them along
If you have excess sheets, towels, clothes, and toys in good condition, consider donating them to a family in need. Involve your kids so they learn the art of sharing and giving. It’s a life skill definitely worth learning while young
Ask yourself if the item is truly worth the time, effort, and money to move it. As Marie Kondo says “Does it bring you joy?” If not, let someone else enjoy it
SERIOUSLY CONSIDER WEIGHT IF MOVING!
Books are so beautiful and important but if you don’t plan to read it again, share it with others so they can enjoy it too. Only keep those books that are truly your favorites. Savers and Goodwill in Rochester MN loved donated books!
Furniture is also super heavy. Think about if you truly love it and if it will fit in with your vision for your new home. If not, donate it to the Rochester MN Habitat for Humanity Restore located right in town.
YOU GOT THIS!
Breathe. Prepare. Eliminate!
If you need help with organizing or decluttering I have lots more tips and strategies to get you going and an excellent curated list of service providers I trust if you’d like to outsource this project
Drop me an email or call anytime!
Sandra Reid
