Moving house is often quoted as being one of life’s most stressful experiences. Many people assume that’s because of everything that’s involved – the buying and selling, paperwork, finances – but that’s only telling part of the story.
Much of the anxiety attached to moving house comes from the emotional process. The reason behind the move may be a sad or difficult one. Packing up every single item you own can bring up all kinds of memories and associations that had been long buried. And, perhaps most significant of all, is the process of letting go of things that no longer serve us.
Let’s take a look at exactly why letting go is so hard and yet so important.
Why we become emotionally attached to our possessions
There are all kinds of reasons why we hang on to things. Probably the most common is that they have some kind of memory attached to them. We are sentimental creatures, and it can be hard to let go of something if it has a strong emotional association. Often, we feel like letting go of the object means letting go of the time or person it reminds us of.
We may be holding on to things ‘just in case’, hopeful that one day they might be useful. This is fine to an extent, until you have so many ‘just in case’ items that you can’t find them when you need them and have to buy another one.
And then there are the aspirational items. The fitness equipment, the scented candles, the breadmaker. All the things that say ‘I’ll be a better person when I use this.’ Newsflash: you’ll still be you.
How decluttering benefits your mind and your home
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The practical benefits to decluttering before a house move are obvious – less to move, pack and unpack at the other end. It can also make your house easier to sell. If you want to sell your house quickly or don’t want the pressure of staging and viewings while you sort everything out, using a cash house buying service could be a solution.
It goes deeper than that though. A home that’s free from visual clutter is a calmer home and is likely to promote a more peaceful mindset. On the flip side, being surrounded by half-finished hobbies, stacks of paperwork and that unused treadmill can only lead to anxiety and guilt.
It’s not just the stuff you can see. The process of going through old letters, photos and other memories, and choosing to only keep a few, can be hugely cathartic.
Letting go without losing the memories
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Throwing things away doesn’t have to mean you throw away the memories attached to them. There are plenty of ways to make sure you preserve what’s special about something without having to cart it from house to house.
- Take photographs of sentimental items before donating them.
- Pass treasured possessions on to friends or family.
- Keep a carefully chosen memory box rather than multiple storage boxes.
With a little time and patience, moving doesn’t have to be a huge upheaval. Instead, embrace it as a chance to revisit happy memories and let go of the things that no longer bring you joy.
