Decluttering Before A Move: Simple Stress-Free Tips

Decluttering before a move can feel like a full-time job—especially when every drawer holds memories. But here’s the truth: you’re not just getting rid of stuff. You’re choosing what gets to come with you into the next chapter.

In this post, we’ll walk through how to start (even if you feel frozen), what to keep, and what to lovingly let go of. You can also explore more tips and tools to stage your home with confidence or schedule a free consult to get started with one of our trusted partners.

Decluttering Before a Move Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming

Let’s talk about that drawer. You know the one—the junk drawer-slash-memory vault that somehow holds batteries, baby photos, dried-out pens, and three sets of keys that don’t open anything anymore.

Now imagine turning that drawer into an entire house. Yep—decluttering before a move can feel like organizing your entire life with a ticking clock and a lump in your throat.

But here’s the truth: decluttering before a move isn’t just about getting rid of stuff. It’s about deciding what you actually want to bring into your next chapter. And if you approach it with a little grace, a bit of strategy, and maybe a snack nearby, it doesn’t have to break you—or your spirit.

Why Decluttering Before a Move Feels So Emotional

It’s not just the physical act of tossing things—it’s the stories attached to them. That pan you used every Saturday for pancakes? The Christmas mugs with the chipped edges? The board game missing half its pieces but full of laughter?

Each item holds a memory, and that emotional weight can make parting with things harder than packing them. But just because something has a memory attached doesn’t mean it needs to come with you physically. The memory’s already in your heart (and maybe your cloud storage)..

The One Box Rule: Your New Best Friend

Start here: Grab a single box and label it “Next Chapter.” Now, only place items in it that you genuinely want in your new home. Not the guilt gifts from relatives. Not the gadgets that “might” be useful someday. Just the items that serve you now.

This exercise helps you start small—and helps you get clear on what matters most. It’s a way to declutter before a move without instantly diving into overwhelm.

3 Decluttering Tips That Actually Work:

1. Start Small

   Don’t tackle the whole house at once. Pick one drawer. One shelf. One win. Nothing builds momentum like success—even a small one.

2. Set a Timer

   Thirty minutes, max. That’s it. Decluttering before a move doesn’t mean sacrificing your sanity. You’re not on a home makeover show.

3. Create a Memory Box

   Some things really are too special to toss. So keep a small box for sentimental items. Limit it—but allow it. It’s not about being heartless; it’s about being intentional.

Let Go with Gratitude

Here’s your permission slip: You don’t have to keep everything. You don’t have to throw it all away either. You’re allowed to feel things, to pause, and to laugh when you find a bag of rubber bands from 2006.

Decluttering before a move is part physical, part emotional, and 100% an act of love—for yourself and your future.

You’re not losing the life you’ve built. You’re making room for the one that’s still ahead.