Gosford Removals and Storage
THE STRESS-LESS MOVING GUIDE - HOW TO CREATE A SUCCESSFUL MOVE
5-6 WEEKS TO GO
3. SIMPLIFYING & CONSOLIDATION
The big clean out - what goes & what stays?
Now is the perfect time to do a big clean out. There are two key questions that will make this process a lot easier:
1) ‘Do I really need this?”
If the answer is “NO” - let it go.
2) Sometimes its hard to let things go for sentimental reasons or ‘just in case’.
If this happens, ask yourself the following question: “ Have I used it in the past two years?” If the answer is “no” – and it doesn’t have huge sentimental significance or it’s not camping gear or tools you may use – it’s time to pass it onto someone who can use it.
If it’s a sentimental item – is there something of it you can keep as a keepsake? Can you pass it onto someone else in the family (not in the same house!) who will value it?
Will anyone else want it if you didn’t? –eg an historical society, library?
If the answer is ‘no’ – perhaps it is time to let it go.
If you absolutely must keep it - have a large ‘keepsake’ box or trunk and put it away in the garage or somewhere it won’t clutter.
Purge!!
Have a clean out weekend – it’s very therapeutic, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
It may take a week or three to go through each room systematically and thoroughly. The key is to begin as soon as you can and be clear with yourself about whether you really will need it in your new home.
As you go through each room – have a clear objective in mind – will you use it, need it or will someone else be better off having it? Imagine how much more uncluttered your new home will be as you let go of some of the things you no longer need or use.
**Remember, if you are doing a child’s room, obtain your child’s co-operation or permission before you toss too much. If they are inclined to want to keep everything – perhaps suggesting someone they can give their outgrown items to may help. Allow them to keep a couple of special keepsakes that have sentimental attachment – you can always put them in the keepsake box.
Where to start?
Generally the garage is a good place to start – not only is it easy to clear out the unwanted clutter – it allows you to start using the clear space.
Set up some boxes or Glad Tuff bags and mark them with their ultimate destination: “Charity”, “Garage Sale”, “Tip” or “Goods to be Returned” (for borrowed items). Restore faith in human nature by putting borrowed goods in post-packs and mailing them back or arranging for them to be picked up or dropped off to the appropriate person asap.
People appreciate having their things returned even if its years later. I have lent books and CD’s and DVD’s to people and even though time has passed – I would appreciate receiving them back and I’m sure you would feel the same.
Clearing out the overflow
If you have a lot of things you think are of no value to anyone, you can also hire a Mini-Skip to save multiple trips to the tip. They deliver and then pick up. It costs approx. $130 for 2 - 3 cubic metres which is the equivalent of 2 -3 box trailers.
The local council will also pick up free, if you ring them in advance. A great idea if you can ring and find out what their pick up days are and then schedule a weekend clean out.