Moving is stressful, but it can also be exciting. You get to start fresh in a new place and turn that empty shell into your dream home. But before you start packing up boxes of your most prized possessions to move them across town or the country, take some time to think about what you need. If there’s anything on this list that no longer makes sense for your life right now, it’s probably something you should leave behind when you move.
The Duplicates
Duplicates are some of those things that create clutter in our homes. They take up space and serve no real purpose. When you consider how often you use dishcloths, for example, it’s silly to have several of them taking up room in your cupboard when one would do just fine. If you’ve got duplicates you simply don’t want anymore, these are things you should leave behind when you move. If you’re moving into a new home that has less storage space, donating duplicate items is another great option for saving space in your new home.
Things that don’t spark joy
If some items in your home don’t spark joy, get rid of them. When you decide to keep something, hold it in your hand and ask yourself if it sparks joy. If not, throw it away or donate it. The only exception is, of course, valuable memorabilia. If you have some family photos and similar items that you still want to keep, find the right place to store them.
Unmatched socks
Socks are small, light, and easy-to-replenish items. You can buy them for $1 a pair at most stores, and they’re generally inexpensive to replace. If you find yourself left with unmatched socks, donate them to charity or simply toss them in the trash. As long as they aren’t damaged beyond repair, these items are pretty easy to replace and won’t add much weight or bulkiness to your move overall.
Worn-out towels
Towels are a big part of your bathroom. They’re used in many ways and must be soft and absorbent. Towels also need to last for a long time so that you can keep using them during your daily routine. If your towels aren’t soft or don’t absorb water well anymore, it’s time to replace them with new ones! Getting rid of them will help you avoid clutter in your home and closet.
When you notice that the towel has lost its softness or isn’t absorbing water as well as before, it might be time for an upgrade. The best way to tell if your towel is worn out is by feeling how thick it is. If one layer feels thin as paper, it’s probably time for a replacement!
Old magazines and newspapers
Old magazines and newspapers are some of the first things most people tend to leave behind when moving. After all, if you’re not reading them, what’s the point? However, some people may be tempted to keep old magazines and newspapers to recycle them later. This might not be the best course of action. Newspapers are one of many things you should leave behind when you move unless you plan to use them for packing.
Clothes that don’t fit you anymore
It’s a sad truth, but your body changes over time. You may have once been able to fit into a cute pair of jeans, or maybe you can now only wear stretchy yoga pants. If you find that your clothes have become too small for you, there are several things you can do with them:
- Donate them to charity
- Sell them on eBay or Craigslist
- Give the items away to friends or family members who might be able to use the clothing
A set of unused dishes and glassware
If you’re moving out of your house and into a new place, you’ll likely be taking along some things that are no longer useful to you. For example, if you have a set of dishes or glassware that has gone unused for several months (or years), consider donating them to charity or selling them on eBay or Craigslist.
Keep in mind that moving fewer items will be easier. Once you decide which items to pack or leave behind when you move, you can choose between two options. You can either hire movers or handle a DIY relocation. Make sure to decide on the best option, especially if you have a lot of bulky and oversize inventory to relocate.
Those “just in case” items in your home
You know, the one that’s been sitting in your closet for years and is collecting dust. Besides that bar, you could have kitchen gadgets that you only use once a year. Whether it’s a cake mould or a vegetable slicer, if you don’t use it often enough, then leave it behind when moving. Most of us have those “just in case” items – things we hang onto just in case they might be useful someday. But as long as they don’t spark joy, let them go!
Move forward into your new life with less
The first step in moving forward is to let go of the past. It’s a cliche line, but it rings true: if you want to move forward, you must leave behind what’s holding you back. Maybe it’s a relationship that kept you down or an old job that wasn’t fulfilling. You might need to downsize and move into a smaller home. Or, maybe it’s just stuff – all those boxes, bags, and gadgets from your past life that won’t fit into your new one.
In other words, it’s time for a fresh start! Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting about everything. Instead, it means leaving behind whatever is weighing you down so your life can become lighter.
Conclusion
Leaving behind the things that don’t bring you joy and moving into a new space is exciting. It can feel like a fresh start, but it can also be scary. The important thing to remember is that there is no right or wrong when considering what to leave behind when you move. You can’t make a big mistake if you think about what makes sense for your needs. You don’t have to follow any specific advice from us or anyone else – just do what feels right for you!