Whether it’s across town or across the country, moving is a stressful business. Once all of the paperwork is finalized, there’s still the matter of getting all of your things from one place to the next — and let’s face it, you probably have a lot of things. One simple way to make the moving process easier is to use this as an opportunity to de-clutter. Less stuff means less stress — both before and after the move. Here are some tips to help you hone in on what you truly find important.

Designate Donations

You’re already going to need to pack everything up, so why not write “Donate” on a box or two? Donating things instead of throwing them away is better for the environment and gives someone else the opportunity to give (or gain) new life from items you don’t need anymore. Drop donations off at your local Goodwill and get a tax-deductible receipt.

Take It in Chunks

If you know you have some time, begin now. Don’t worry about sorting through your entire home in one day. Focus on one room, one closet, one drawer. If the sight of your donation boxes filling up isn’t enough, make a list of the areas you need to address and be as detailed as you want. Write down to-dos as broad as “bedroom” or as specific as “cereal bowl cabinet.” Check each item off your list as you complete it.

Prioritize

If you come across something you haven’t used in six months, ask yourself why you still have it. Is it a seasonal piece of clothing that you’ll use next winter? Keep it to pack. Is it a weird cactus-shaped mug you’d forgotten about until cleaning out the kitchen cabinets? It will probably be better off in the donations box.

Come to Terms With Parting

If you have 17 coffee mugs and really only need five or six, choose your favorites and donate the rest. If you hold onto only the things that you really love, your next place will feel that much more like home. Maybe that cactus mug IS special — or maybe you’re keeping it out of a misplaced idea of sentiment. The sentiment isn’t bad, but if you’re holding onto items that aren’t useful or truly meaningful to you, toss them into the donations box.

Take Care of Yourself

Reducing stress improves not only your immediate situation but also your long-term health and well-being. Packing is stressful, but moving doesn’t have to be. Give yourself a break by letting Connecticut’s Finest Movers load, unload and transport all of your most prized possessions.