Have you moved without decluttering?

[monkeytennismum]

Just that really. We're due to move in a couple of weeks, but I just can't seem to find the time to declutter. With 3 young DCs at home in the hols I can just about stay on top of housework, feeding time at the zoo and all the paperwork associated with the move. We are getting our removals firm to pack for us, so would it be silly to move and then declutter once DCs are back at school? I know it's not the sensible course of action, but want to hear if any of you have taken it too!

We moved a couple of weeks ago, and with a 1 year old DS who was ill just before the move, we just threw everything into boxes. Trying to get rid of it the other end as we unpack each one!

I find decluttering and packing to move at the same time is too much. But if you've got some large furniture or other big items you don't want then maybe it would be worth getting rid of that before the move instead of taking it with you.

The advantages of decluttering after the move is that you won't have the stress of a deadline to get it done, having stuff in boxes will probably make it easier to sort out than when it's in cupboards, and if you do without stuff for a while you often realise you haven't missed it and don't need it. I've got at least 20 boxes still packed after moving early this year and I haven't missed anything.

We had packers in who just packed everything and I'm decluttering as I unpack. Because I wasn't packing myself I didn't really look at what was being packed and feel much calmer about getting rid of stuff now we are in our nice new house. I think I'm being a bit more ruthless because I'm more sure that I don't want extra junk in our lovey new home. So I don't think there's anything wrong with packing first and decluttering at your leisure.

Yes. Last move I got the removal people to put all non essential boxes in the garage and then decluttered from there.
I met lots of people in the new area through Freecycle!

We are moving on Monday.

I've sold some big stuff on eBay/ Facebook.

Thrown things as I packed. Bin bags full of crap like odd socks!

Had a massive declutter We've had 3 skips in the last year. (2 since we put the house on the market in April.)

And non essential stuff has been stored at my Mum and Dad's to be brought back in as needed.

I will also get rid of stuff as I unpack when I have time to perhaps do a car boot / eBay.

Pretty much, yes.

Most of the time actually. Even to Australia, although DH "helped" with the decluttering a little bit by saying "We're not taking THAT!" or selling my stuff (admittedly with my eventual agreement but...)

I am terrible for hanging onto stuff "just in case" though.

Thanks ladies, I feel much better now. Am going to try not to stress too much pre-move.

Ha ha Thumbwitch me and DH have a similar relationship!

Yes, last time and I regretted it. Just do 10 minutes at a time and be ruthless.

Yes.
Once.
It was utter hell.

Yes, about 4 months ago. Not great but OK. I'm moving again next week and while I've decluttered a bit, I still need to do more. But this time I'm boxing up the stuff that needs sorting separate to the stuff that doesn't, and marking the boxes. That way I can work through a box of clutter at a time which isn't so terrifying.

Last time we moved a vacuum cleaner I swear I'd never seen before and 12 hideous cushions that came from who knows where..