Sound familiar— your kids have moved out, but their stuff is still living at your house? It’s time to get your space back!
We’ve all heard of empty nester syndrome after the kids have moved out. For some, the adjustment is especially hard and they hold on to the stuff as if their home has turned into a storage center. Wondering what to do with all the things your children have left behind when they’ve gone to college, gotten married, or moved to a small starter home or even abroad? We share tips to clear the empty nest once and for all…
How to Clear the Empty Nest
Is your home a museum of mementos full of toddler toys and memorabilia from their teenage years? Not to mention your things that that you’ve collected over the years…That’s why it’s essential to clear the empty nest.
To prepare you for your next phase in life, our local moving pros have a few tips to help you bring order and organization back into your home (and moving the extra items into storage if you absolutely can’t let them go):
1. Be prepared for the emotions.
Sorting through years of memories can take an emotional toll. Some things you’ve had for decades. If it’s not something that anyone in your family wants anymore, you can take photos of them and make a digital scrapbook that highlights your old items and the memories attached to them. You can also make wall art galleries to keep keepsake photos, textiles, etc. to preserve memories without cluttering your home.
2. Find out what your children would like to keep and have them store the items outside of your home if possible.
Don’t complain about the kid’s old clutter! Ask your adult child(ren) to sort through their old things and decide what they would like to keep. Along the way identify family heirlooms and keepsakes you are certain you’d like to pass down within the family someday.
3. Get rid of items that you no longer need.
Many of us store items without checking their condition. In many cases, they may need to be discarded. By automatically letting go of these pieces you can reclaim more space in your empty nest:
- Dispose of broken or outdated electronics.
- Get rid of expired or excess toiletries, grooming products, and makeup.
- Discard torn, ripped, or excessively worn decorative items (ex. The old torn chair your cat loved)
- Recycle or shred papers and old junk mail.
4. Look for items that you could sell.
Did you come across an original Star Wars action figure in the attic? Some things may have a surprising hidden value! These old toys may be a great find for collectors. Before getting rid of it, if it’s still in good condition, research the value. Some items you may want to check are:
- Toys, dolls, or action figures with rare value
- New(er), Brand-Name Clothing
- Items still in the box or with a tag
- Specialty and/or like-new Sports Equipment
- Electronics like tablets, cell phones, or laptops, that are not more than 3-5 years old
- Sports memorabilia from highly celebrated athletes (jerseys and baseball cards)
If you opt to sell it, offer to split the profits on their old stuff. If your kids are unwilling and/or unable to move their belongings out of your house, offer to sell their stuff on eBay or at a yard sale and give your children 50% – 80% of the profit.
5. After sorting and moving items, donate the rest.
Many things we may take for granted could be items those less fortunate could find great benefit in. Consider donating:
- New or barely worn clothing, shoes, or coats that don’t or have never fit
- Old eyeglasses
- Old toys that don’t have collector value
- Baby and toddler related items and toys that are in clean, good condition
- Books and magazines could make for a great donation to your local library, school, or charity
Clearing the clutter does not have to wait until after you have an empty nest; you can start the process now before it becomes a necessity. Consider hiring Florida’s Best Moving to help you move the excess and find new homes for the items your children no longer want or need. We know removing clutter and reclaiming your space can be both emotional & time-consuming. We can load and drop off your donation, move valuables to your kids’ place, or even have an affordable place to store your stuff.
Decluttering the Nest
For years, your home has provided a rent-free storage facility for all your kids’ stuff, only to discover there was little point holding on to the diploma they got from middle school. Take charge and help yourself and your children move forward by clearing the clutter in your now empty nest.
If you really need/want your home back, and your kids can’t store their stuff, but they don’t want to get rid of/sell the items either, your only other choice is to find a remote location to store everything. If storing the items, we suggest asking your children to help pay for part — otherwise, the storage unit could take place of your home for a very long time!
Need help with packing and storage –even moving those unneeded items to your kid’s home or a local donation center? Florida’s Best Moving and Storage in Tampa can help you clear the clutter and love your home again. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to get a hassle-free quote.
Have tips or recommendations for empty nesters living in a house full of their (adult) kid’s clutter? Simply like this article? Share on Facebook to help others & their families move forward.