Whenever moving comes up in conversation, it usually includes heavy sighs and overdone eye rolls. No one likes moving!
It’s often listed as one of the most stressful life events and it’s no wonder — we have a lot of stuff in our homes! Getting organized before your move can make things run more smoothly and eliminate a ton of stress. And because summer is peak moving season, I thought I’d share a few steps to make your next move easier.
Plan Ahead
As with anything, a little planning goes a long way. Imagine what can happen if you do a lot of planning!
A plan reduces moving stress because you know what to expect when things get busy.
- Keep Your Information in One Place — Create a binder or folder to keep all information in one place. You’ll want a packing checklist, schedule (I recommend a block calendar – it’s easy to view your schedule at-a-glance), utility information, contact information, and more inside your binder.
- Plan Your Time — Well before your moving date, use your calendar to work backward from your move day and create a general schedule. You’ll want to save packing things you use often for the days right before the move, but you can begin packing infrequently used items early. Decluttering before you start packing is essential. You’ll also want to call the utility companies before your move. Mark these timeframes on your calendar to stay on track.
- Gather Supplies — Create a tote with labels, Sharpies, scissors, packing tape, and other supplies so you can find them easily. You’ll use these supplies when decluttering and moving. Begin collecting boxes so you aren’t scrambling at the end. Here are a few ideas for creating a moving kit.
Declutter Before the Move
No one wants to move extra stuff they no longer use, but when you’re feeling overwhelmed, the move date can come quickly, and you end up throwing everything in a box whether you need it anymore or not. That’s why the planning step helps so much.
Go room by room and declutter as quickly as you can. Open closets, look under beds — get as detailed as time allows, and be ruthless if you can! Moving is stressful because we realize how much we actually have when we begin pulling it all out. Use this time as motivation to let go of unused items by donating or selling them.
Packing
It’s time to grab your packing kit! Pack your home room by room, starting with the spaces you use least often. It’s ok to move to the next room once you’ve packed a room and only items you’re still using remain, but don’t mix items from different rooms in boxes. Keep rooms separate so the unpacking process can go much more smoothly.
- Label everything! It may feel like overkill, but you’ll be thankful when you’re unpacking. List the room the box belongs in and a few notes on what’s inside. Label boxes on the top and side so you can see what they contain when they’re stacked.
- Expert Tip! Use luggage to pack essential items you’ll need right away, like toiletries and clothes.
Moving Day
The day is finally here—try to enjoy the momentous occasion if you can!
- Ask your movers to place boxes in their corresponding rooms to make unpacking easier.
- Keep your moving binder accessible for any phone numbers or details you might need.
- Celebrate! After everything is unloaded, take a moment to celebrate the move. A lot of hard work has led to this moment!
Unpacking
After the big day, it’s time to begin setting up your new home. The task can feel overwhelming but think of it as a way to arrange everything as you’ve always wanted.
- Reverse Order. You’ll unpack everything in the reverse order in which you packed it. Begin by unpacking your essentials, and then move on to the next most frequently used items. When I unpack for clients, I start in the kitchen.
- Organize as You Go. Group like things together, create zones, and label!
Describing how to organize each portion of your home requires multiple blog posts but use this as a reminder to organize as you settle into your new space. You’ll thank your future self later!
Remember, moving doesn’t have to be as stressful as everyone thinks. You can do this!
Ready for some hands-on support? If all this sounds like more work than you’re willing to take on, contact us to learn about our downsizing and unpacking services. We can take all of this off your plate!
