Getting Rid of Your Junk Before Moving

by Lou Ross

I call it an heirloom, you call it junk. I call it a collectable, you call it junk. If you are going to be moving, this debate needs to be resolved.

Getting Rid of Your Junk Before Moving

It is no secret that moving is one of the least enjoyable tasks a human will ever face. Yes, it is exciting to move into a new area, but packing and getting there can be nightmarish. In a wicked twist of fate, however, statistics show that more and more people are moving multiple times in their life. The reasons range from employment changes to simply wanting to try somewhere new. Regardless, each move requires you to pack up everything and go. Or does it?

If you live in a location for any appreciable amount of time, you start accumulating all kinds of things. George Carlin, of course, referred to these things as your "stuff." The question, however, is how much of that stuff do you really need and how much is really valuable to you? If you can put your emotions aside, you may be surprised to realize that a lot of your stuff is junk that should be pitched.

Moving can be stressful. Moving is really about changing your environment. Being in a new environment is uncomfortable at first because it is...well, new. One way to blow your stress level through the stratosphere is to start unpacking and realize one of two things. First, you packed and hauled a bunch of items that you should have thrown out. Second, that you packed and hauled a bunch of stuff that doesn't fit into your new residence. As you back aches, you will undoubtedly be in a very sour mood.

One of the keys to minimizing the misery of moving is to take stock of all your things before you start packing. Do you really need that exotic lamp that has been sitting in the closet for the last five years? How about the stair climber that has not been used in two years? If you haven't used it in two years, you are kidding yourself if you make any new resolutions to do so! Get rid of this junk!

Letting go of your stuff can be a painful process. Once you start looking at items packed away in closets or under beds, memories come flooding back. If you have difficulties letting go, just keep in mind what a physical pain it will be to haul all that stuff from your old location to your new home. It is a much shorter trip to the dumpster.

About the Author

Lou Ross is with MovingCompaniesforYou.com - find moving companies with our free nationwide directory.