Decluttering Before the Move: My 100-Item Challenge

With moving day approaching, I’ve set myself a clear goal: get rid of at least 100 things through donations, Craigslist, eBay, Freecycle, or other outlets. The number sounds ambitious at first, but when I start looking around the house it becomes obvious how many items collect dust and never get used. My plan is simple and intentional: I’ll write every item down on a single list and track progress until I hit 100. Yes, I really do enjoy that level of organization.

I decided to begin with shoes. That seemed like an easy and revealing place to start. When I examined my collection, I discovered many pairs I haven’t worn since I left New York City and moved to Richmond more than four years ago. It felt a little embarrassing to admit how many shoes I’ve been holding onto for no good reason.

After sorting, ten pairs went straight into the donate/sell/free pile. That was a satisfying chunk of items, particularly because I kept 18 pairs for daily wear. For the record, my favorite Puma sneakers are definite keepers, so they weren’t included in the purge. Counting shoes as pairs, this first round removes ten items from my home—and two dozen individual shoes from my closets and racks.

Why keep a written list? For me, a physical tally accomplishes a few things: it turns a vague intention into a concrete goal, it motivates action when I can see progress, and it helps avoid moving clutter I don’t need. I’ll note each donated or sold item, where it went, and roughly how long it took me to decide. That accountability pushes me to keep going instead of letting excess drift along to the next place.

Decluttering before a move has practical advantages beyond the emotional satisfaction of simplifying. Fewer items to pack means less time dismantling and boxing things up, lower moving costs if paying by weight or volume, and a shorter unloading phase at the new home. Donating items locally benefits community organizations and gives belongings a chance to be used by someone else. Selling through local classifieds or online marketplaces recoups a bit of money to put toward moving expenses. Freecycling or gifting to friends ensures functional items find new homes quickly.

As I continue, I’m being deliberate about categories that often hide excess: shoes and clothing, kitchen gadgets and single-use appliances, mismatched linens, media I no longer use, duplicate tools, and decorative items that no longer fit our tastes. I try to be honest about each item’s usefulness. If something hasn’t been used in a year and doesn’t have sentimental value, it’s a strong candidate to go.

One small aside: I noticed how different lighting can change the look of a room. A blue-gray bedroom wall in certain photos looked almost green, a reminder that documenting before-and-after spaces can require attention to light, camera angle, and color balance. That’s a minor note, but useful if you plan to photograph items for sale or donation listings.

So far this first effort accounts for ten items toward the 100-item objective. That leaves 90 more to find and rehome. I’m optimistic because once you start finding obvious candidates, more tend to reveal themselves—especially in closets, the garage, and kitchen cabinets. I’ll prioritize items that are in good condition for donation or resale, and responsibly recycle or dispose of anything broken or unsafe.

If you’re considering a similar purge before a move—or just to simplify your life—here are a few practical tips I’m using:

• Start with obvious categories like shoes or seasonal clothing to build momentum.
• Keep a running list and check items off as they go out the door.
• Decide destinations for items ahead of time (donation, sell, recycle) so they don’t linger.
• Photograph items you plan to sell, and write clear, honest descriptions.
• Schedule donation drop-offs and pick-ups early to avoid last-minute hauling.

Is anyone else trimming down their belongings right now? If so, I’d love to hear about your strategies and small wins. I’ll post updates as I work through the list and see whether I can reach that weird little goal of 100 items. For now, I’m pleased to have cleared out a chunk of shoes and to be on my way to a lighter, more manageable move.