Ok… maybe moving is never easy but you can make it easier on yourself with a plan and the right help. There is no better time than now to start sorting through those things you’ll no longer need in your new space. Having a fresh start in your new space doesn’t have to be overwhelming if you take the time now to organize and only take the things with you that you want and need in your new space. If you’re preparing to sell your home, this is a process you have to go through anyway so you might as well maximize it. As Marie Kondo would say, take only the things that bring you joy! That means you might have to find another home for that juicer that’s been packed in your basement since college.

The Moving Made Easy Plan

Step 1: Create the designated piles somewhere in the house and announce to the rest of the family where and what the piles are.

Pile 1 – Give away pile.
Pile 2 – Throw away pile (maybe this is actually in the garage).

Step 2 – Give Away.
Go through all your items room by room. Get the family involved and bought into the concept. I have found kids very open to sharing the things that they no longer need or wear. Think about what items you have that would be a joy for someone else. Clothes that don’t fit anymore or that you haven’t bother to wear in 3 years. Most charities will love your furniture too no matter what size – just remember to save the broken stuff for your throw away pile. Arranging pick up is a snap too using http://www.donationtown.org. Just plug in your info and they’ll give you a list of local charities who will gladly pick up your donations including furniture.

Step 3 – Throw Away.
You know as well as I do, if you haven’t glued that broken vase by now, chances are, you’re not going to after you move it. Time to let go of it and release it to the trash. TVs and computers can be a little trickier as they have special disposal instructions, you can go one of two routes. First, check your local county environment resources for instructions.  Johnson County makes it easy defining what they will take or won’t take. They pass along a fee for TVs and electronics if you choose to drop them off.

I prefer the other option that I refer to as the point method. That’s where you call our friends at 1-800-Got-Junk (1-800-468-5865) or Sirna Bros. Hauling and just point to your pile, and they dispose of it. They’ll take care of the disposal of TVs and electronics too. Sirna Brothers actually recycles everything they can.

Step 4 – Moving In.
If organization has never been your strong suit, our friend, Joanie Nicholas of All Things Organized  provides moving day relief and will unpack and organize you so you can concentrate on the myriad of providers who show up and require your attention. Money well spent, especially if you have a three ring circus to tend to. Joanie can have your kitchen unpacked and organized in 3 – 4 hours so when you reach for that cereal bowl and cup of coffee in the morning, you’ll immediately know you’re home.