The value of spring cleaning never becomes more evident than when you are moving.  Clearly the more stuff you have, the more you need to move.  Trying to do spring cleaning and moving at the same time can add to your stress levels that are already at an all time high.  So as soon as you learn that you are moving, no matter what time of year, follow these top 5 Lessons Learned around spring cleaning and moving.  It will make your life, and your move, so much easier.

1)      Cleaning out all of those odds and ends can be very tedious, however if you take them in bite size pieces, it’s amazing what you can accomplish.  Make a list of all of the drawers, cabinets, closets and rooms that need “some love.”  Each drawer gets its own spot on the list.  Then make a schedule to take each one on – perhaps 2-6/week – depending on when you’re moving and how long your list is.  Of course keep in mind a drawer might take 10 minutes, while the garage may need several hours.

2)      If you don’t know whether to keep it or not, let it go.  Really. Craig’s list it. Garage sale it.  Give it to a neighbor.  Donate it.  There are even “give-away” websites like www.freecycle.org to avoid putting items in our landfills.   And in some cases, let it retire to the dump.  Have a pile for each of these different actions, so that you can address each pile at the end of accomplishing the task list in one fell swoop.  This will help keep you focused and from making multiple trips.

3)      If you hate cleaning and organizing, find ways to reward yourself.  For example, when you’re done with the garage, go for a bike ride, get a latte, or whatever floats your boat.  Also helpful if you are a family is to enlist your spouse and your kids.  There is absolutely no reason to do this alone.  If you are alone, then bring along the tunes.  Nothing like good music to keep the process rolling.

4)      Stay committed.  Perhaps you are half way through and just figure – oh, I’ll deal with this stuff when we get to our new home.  The last thing you want to do is pay to move stuff you don’t even want.  Nevermind the annoyance of having everything feel shiny and new, except for the “unwantables/unneedables” you brought with you and now have to deal with.  You will have plenty to do in your new home, neighborhood and town.  Better to enjoy a conversation with your new neighbors than dealing with clutter.

5)      If you found this blog two days before you’re moving, don’t panic.  It’s never good to panic when you’re moving!  Don’t stress it.  Just try to separate the stuff you love and need, from the stuff you don’t and label the boxes as such.  Then put those “unwantable” boxes in the garage or the basement and wait until next spring after you’ve moved and are settled to deal with them.