Let’s be honest: Moving is stressful. But having a clear plan of action can make it feel lighter. Here are some tips to help you in all stages of the moving process; from getting rid of excess stuff, to packing, to moving day and unpacking. The key to success? Set realistic goals for yourself. Here’s how:
Get Rid of Stuff
- Organize your belongings and toss, recycle, or donate what you don’t need. If you’re short on time, that is okay, you can purge while unpacking.
- TIP: When deciding whether an item serves a purpose in your life ask yourself whether you would go out and spend money on it if you didn’t already have it. If you wouldn’t, you likely don’t need it.
- Closet purge. If it doesn’t fit, is out of style, and/or you haven’t worn it in a year, get rid of it.
- Eat up. Yup, eat as much of the food you already have in your house as you can before moving day arrives.
- Make donation pick-up arrangements for big items like furniture and rugs.
Packing For the Move
- Source your box supply. Ideally having a few varieties of same-sized boxes are best for stacking. Paper boxes (Staples – $1.49) for heavy items like books and paper. Liquor boxes (free) are also ideal for things like pantry items and stacks of dishes. Check on-line for people getting rid of boxes from their recent move. It can be really worth it to buy boxes from a moving company.
- Don’t empty out your dressers – as long as they’re not too large. You or your movers can wrap up the dresser itself in plastic wrap.
- Keep clothes on their hangers and either group them up large garbage bags or hang them in a wardrobe box. Use suitcases to pack other clothing or linens.
- Number boxes as you pack them and record items on a clipboard. This is especially helpful for garage or hobby items that may not be unpacked until you are well settled. You can also take pictures of box contents before they are taped up.
- Code them by room (K – kitchen, L – living room, B1,B2,B3 – bedrooms) so they will be placed in appropriate rooms.
- When taping up boxes, fold over one end of the tape so you can easily pull off the tape – and not have to look for the misplaced box knife.
- Take a picture of the back of your TV so you’ll remember how to set it back up later.
- Put together a moving essentials bag with the items you’ll need access to for a few days before and after your move such as important documents, medications, chargers, basic toiletries, a couple changes of clothes, etc.
- Disassemble all furniture (beds too!) and take down all attached shelves, etc. the week before moving day. It takes longer than you think – trying to do this moving day will slow you or your movers down.
Moving Day
- Make it a goal to be completely packed before your movers arrive or it’s time to pick up the rental truck. That way, you can focus right away on accomplishing the task at hand.
- Pack a cooler with a lunch, snacks and drinks so you can keep your strength up throughout the day.
Unpacking- Here’s how to stop procrastinating and speed up the unpacking process
- Getting the kitchen done first will give you a big sense of accomplishment right off the bat.
- Give yourself a deadline. Schedule a casual get together for a few weeks after your move to provide yourself with a set end date for having most of your unpacking done.
- Do a bit at a time. Don’t stress out trying to get every single box unpacked right away. Get the major things done, and then focus instead on doing what you can as you can. It will all get done eventually.
- Dump out a box worth of stuff onto your bed so that you have no choice but to clear it all out and put everything away if you want to get use out of your space.
- Break down and fold boxes as you empty them. This will give you a physical marker of progress and clear up space for living and enjoying your new home.
This blog post was written by a client, friend and an individual who works with me and helps to keep me organized, Thank-you Alice!