Moving Tips: Ways to Part With Sentimental Clutter
Plot twist: You’re not the only person who collects tangible memories, impulse buys at holiday sales (we see you), or shops for an endorphin rush. If your belongings are starting to overwhelm you, especially as you begin to pack for a move, you’ve come to the right place. We’re diving into the psychology of clutter and providing you with some tips on how to part with the mess while holding on to the memories.
Cutting the Clutter Can Improve Mental Health
Yes, you read that right. According to Psychology Today, clutter has been clinically linked to anxiety and depression. It actually causes stress due to the excessive visual stimuli. Think about it: How many times have you felt like you were drowning in your own mess? While downsizing is a great way to reduce your stress and cortisol levels, it can also be challenging—particularly for those who assign meaning to objects. So, how can one part with sentimental clutter?
How to Part With Treasures
Parting with sentimental belongings is one of the toughest parts of moving. There’s no avoiding it, we assign our possessions value and often link them to memories. The trick to parting with these treasures is to take a closer look at the reasons behind this sentimental connection. Does it really have a purpose in your new home or are you allowing the emotional connection to become a burden? If you can’t easily answer the question, consider these tips for parting with your treasures:
Let Go of the Past
Our clutter tells a story; it’s okay to be nostalgic! However, there is no need to hang onto college textbooks, dusty trophies, and unhelpful reminders of the past. By letting go of these tangible memories, you can make room for the future and reduce your storage needs!
Take Photos
Getting into the habit of taking pictures to remember a special event, person, or place is one of the best ways to cut back on clutter. Not only can you store images digitally, but these documented moments will help you preserve a lifetime of memories. Best of all, you can print out and change pictures around your new home when you start to get bored of decor.
Upcycle or Donate
If you’re dead set on keeping your collection of high school t-shirts, find a creative way to display or upcycle your treasures! Repurposing your items will help you get more use out of them. Gifting or passing your heirlooms to family is another great way to part with treasures without deleting them from your life. And who knows, maybe in the future you’ll have the space for that larger furnishing.
For more moving tips and tricks, check out our blog. Chesmar Homes specializes in constructing functional, stylish newly constructed homes in communities throughout Texas’ most desirable cities, including Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, and elsewhere in Central Texas!