Whether you're finally taking the plunge and moving into your own place from your parent's home or you are just downsizing to a smaller space, you can probably use a little bit of advice. After all, things are never as easy as you initially believe that they will be, and this includes moving. Sometimes, your good intentions aren't enough to make the downsizing work, especially when you start sifting through your personal belongings. Here are a few tips that will help you sort through your things before the movers arrive and get ready to pack up and move your items:

1. Make a List of the Things You Love.

Instead of immediately focusing on the items that you own that you are okay with parting with, create a list of the sentimental and valuable things that you absolutely love. This helps to provide perspective on the items that you are possibly on the fence about keeping or getting rid of. This task will help you realize that certain things may not be as important as other things.

2. Consider Taking Pictures to Create a Scrapbook.

You have items that you are emotionally attached to and you have items that truly have a sentimental value. There is a difference. An item that you are emotionally attached to may be a shirt that is too small that you're holding onto simply because the lead singer in your favorite band touched it at a concert a couple of years ago. Although you may not want to part with it, you can indeed live without it in your life. However, an item that has sentimental value is a family heirloom that has been in the family for generations and cannot be replaced. For the items that you are only emotionally attached to, consider getting rid of them but taking a picture of them so that you can create a scrapbook to remember the items.

3. Keep All Things Related to Your Business or Career.

Whether you bring your work home or you run a small business out of your kitchen, you will want to always keep business- and career-related items that are used. This includes anything from software and filing systems to printers and computers. These are necessities to earn a living, so you don't want to throw them away even if you may not use them every single day.

4. Make Some Guidelines – and Try to Stick to Them.

Before you start going through your stuff, create a list of guidelines to follow. While these don't have to be set in stone, it is a good idea to stay as true to them as possible. For example, in the closet, get rid of everything that you haven't worn in the past 12 months. One exception might be a formal dress or tuxedo for special occasions. However, if you've been trying to lose weight to get back into your favorite pair of old jeans for the past two or three years, it's time to let them go.

5. Make Sure to Take Your Time.

One of the worst things when it comes to deciding what should stay and what should go is trying to fit it all into one day, one weekend or an otherwise short period of time. This will cause you to end up keeping more items than you actually should simply because you're too exhausted to thoroughly go through your personal belongings. Consider designating a single room to a certain day, which will help you commit.

Your local moving company can help you pack your personal items once you've decided what to keep, and they'll help you move them to your new space. 

For a professional moving company, contact a business such as Bekins Van Lines Inc.