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Picture this: a massive 30ft by 12ft dumpster sitting in my driveway, completely filled to the brim. That was the reality of my last PCS move, and honestly? It was one of the best decisions I made during the entire process.
Yes, I’ve been in your shoes! I know exactly what it feels like to stare at a house full of “stuff” and wonder how you accumulated so much over the years. I understand the overwhelming feeling when you realize the movers are coming in just a few weeks, and you haven’t even started sorting through that garage full of boxes you haven’t opened since your last move.
The Reality Check That Changed Everything
When I scheduled that dumpster rental, I thought I’d fill maybe half of it. Boy, was I wrong. By the time I was done, that thing was packed solid with items I had been hauling from home to home for years without ever using them.
Here’s what I discovered: keeping stuff can be way harder than letting it go. Every item you don’t purge before your PCS becomes someone else’s problem: usually yours: at your next duty station. You end up paying (in weight allowances, time, and sanity) to move things you’ll probably never touch again.
The Coordination Challenge is Real
Let’s talk about the logistics nightmare that every military family faces. You’ve got three major decisions to juggle:
Government Move vs. PPM (Personally Procured Move)
- Government moves mean you’re at the mercy of their timeline and their packing methods
- PPM moves give you control but require serious planning and physical effort
- Either way, every pound matters for your weight allowance
The Inventory Dilemma
Before the movers arrive, you need to decide what goes and what stays. This isn’t just about decluttering: it’s also about strategic planning. That broken exercise equipment in the garage? It’s taking up weight allowance that could be used for things you actually need.
One Mistake Can Complicate Everything
I learned this the hard way on a previous move. One damaged box containing important documents turned into weeks of stress trying to replace everything. When you’re selective about what you move, you can better protect the items that truly matter.
Why Letting Go is Actually Liberating
That full dumpster represented more than just discarded items: it represented freedom. Freedom from:
- Guilt about unused purchases: That bread maker you bought three moves ago? It’s okay to let it go.
- Imaginary future scenarios: You probably won’t need those ski boots when you PCS to Florida.
- Sentimental attachment to broken items: That lamp that’s been “going to be fixed” for two years needs to find a new home.
Practical Strategies That Actually Work
Start with the Easy Stuff
Begin in spaces where decisions are straightforward: expired medications, old electronics, clothes that don’t fit. These quick wins build momentum for the harder decisions later.
Use the “Next Chapter” Test
For each item, ask yourself: “Does this fit who I’m becoming in my next chapter?” If you’re moving from a big house to base housing, that oversized furniture might not make sense anymore.
Create Staging Areas
Set up different zones in your garage or spare room:
- Keep and pack
- Donate/sell
- Toss immediately
- “Maybe” pile (revisit this last)
Time-Block Your Decisions
Give yourself permission to spend only 30 seconds deciding on most items. If you haven’t used it in the past year and can’t immediately think of when you will, it goes.
Working with Your Moving Team
Once you’ve done the hard work of decluttering, your relationship with your movers becomes so much easier. They’re not trying to figure out whether that broken chair should be wrapped and shipped. Everything they see has already been vetted by you as worth moving.
Professional movers like Allied (who handled my move) appreciate when families have done the prep work. It makes their job more efficient and reduces the risk of packing items that could cause problems during transport.
The Financial Reality
Here’s something most people don’t talk about: decluttering before your PCS can actually save you money. Every pound you don’t move is money saved, whether you’re doing a PPM or staying within government weight limits. Plus, selling items before you move puts cash in your pocket that you can use to buy fresh items that better fit your new space.
Your Next Chapter Starts Now
Do you really need all that stuff for your next chapter? Probably not. And that’s not a failure: that’s growth. You’re not the same person you were three years ago, and your belongings don’t have to reflect who you used to be.
Moving to a new duty station isn’t just about changing your address. It’s an opportunity to consciously choose what comes with you into this next phase of your life.
YOU’VE GOT THIS!
I know it feels overwhelming right now. I know you’re looking at rooms full of stuff and wondering where to even start. But you’ve handled deployments, you’ve navigated military bureaucracy, and you’ve adapted to new bases before. You can absolutely handle this too.
Start small. Fill one trash bag today. Make one trip to donate items this weekend. Each small action builds momentum for the next one.
Ready for Your Fresh Start?
Whether you’re PCSing to the beautiful Emerald Coast or anywhere else, remember that your new home deserves the best version of your belongings: not just everything you happened to own.
Need practical PCS tips and some motivational support? Message me anytime: I’m here for YOU and your crew! Trust me: your next chapter is going to be AWESOME!
If you’re heading to the Destin, Fort Walton Beach, or Shalimar area, I’d love to help you find the perfect home for your fresh start. I understand the unique challenges military families face during PCS moves, and I’m here to make your transition as smooth as possible.
Find more PCS wisdom and real stories at https://tjatera.com, and check out my blog for more military relocation tips and local insights at https://lnkd.in/dMe7hCvh.
Your fresh start is waiting. Now go fill that dumpster( you’ve got this!)
