Getting your child ready for college is bittersweet. You are excited to see them make their way into the world, but there are those parts of you that aren’t quite ready to let go. As you pack things up, it can get out of control pretty quickly. Moving out for any reason uncovers everything accumulated over the years from their baby toys to tricycles that they will never use again. As hard as it might be, getting rid of stuff doesn’t mean you’re chucking memories. It means that you are moving on to the next phase. Renting a dumpster to organize and regroup can help you refocus your energies for positive new beginnings.
Sort Things Into Packing, Disposing, and Donating
While packing up, don’t just skim through things, make it a time to sort. If there are toys that some other child would appreciate and enjoy, why not donate them? Putting belongings into piles for packing, disposing, and recycling or donating will help reduce the chaos of your home. Your children will always find a room waiting, but that doesn’t mean they will want to return to a disorganized mess!
Accumulate Memories
While sorting, make sure to put together old photos, tickets, and important memorabilia. In the upcoming weeks, when you miss your college freshmen, throw your energy into scrapbooking or making permanent showcases out of the most important memories. Print-on-demand services can make those small treasures into ornaments, keychains, and mugs. Commit to sending your freshman those special moments that will brighten their day in a care package.
Be Realistic About What Stays and What Goes
Keeping your child’s room like a time capsule might seem like a way to preserve the past, but all it might do is keep you stuck in the past. As you go through things together, be realistic about what is usable and what is not. Old furniture that they have already outgrown or dressers that are too childlike for use elsewhere might be better served either selling or dumping. They aren’t going to enjoy returning to an old beat-up mattress and a twin headboard that is too small for them as it is.
Don’t Pack Rat It!
What we used to call a “pack-rat” has been unveiled for what it really is – a hoarder. Instead of sifting through things and packing what they are taking and then throwing the rest into the recesses of a closet, take the time to get rid of it. It is sometimes hard to let go of things, even when you don’t have a use for it. It isn’t, however, going to be any easier to dispose of two weeks from now or twenty years. If you are going to clear out the room, really clear it out.
As Long As You Are Tidying Up
As long as you are getting your freshman ready to head off, doesn’t it make sense to clean up the entire house and reorganize? There aren’t many good things about saying goodbye, but getting a new lease on life and finding new motivation to refocus is an excellent way to move past the loss. While you have a dumpster ready and available, go from room to room and let go of all the things you too no longer need!
Saying Goodbye is Never Easy
As any parent will tell you, saying goodbye is never easy. It really is about your mindset, however. If you look at this time to reorganize, repurpose, and refocus, you can make it a positive experience all the way around. Look at it this way, they will be home for the holidays in just a few weeks. Once more, they will always find a home in your home. Now is a perfect time to use all the newly found time to purge and get your house in order by renting a dumpster to get busy and get moving! Reserve one today so you will be ready for packing time!