Smooth Moving

Moving

Moving is one of the most stressful events we endure in life.  Having worked in the business as a Move Manager/Organizing Pro, I know first-hand how tough it is!  Plus, we’ve moved numerous times in recent years, but ( we are fingers crossed) the last move!  And hopefully, some of the information I’m sharing below will help you if you are moving, too.

Scheduling

1- If you are moving to a faraway place, you may need to have the truck(s) or van(s) loaded on one day, and unloaded on another day.  This is particularly true if you have a LOT of stuff.

2- If you are moving from a small dwelling, you probably won’t need more than a whole day to have the truck loaded.

3- If your new location is not very far, in this circumstance it is often possible to load and unload the truck in the same day.

4- If your dwelling is so small that you can fit your household’s contents into a rented van, you may try to recruit family members or friends to help you, rather than hire a moving company.   After everything is unloaded, have pizza delivered for all your helpers.

5- Try to give yourself as much time as possible to pack.  Packing is all-consuming, and probably the most stressful part of the moving process.  If you can count the days and weeks until your actual move date, then set a packing goal and stick to it.

6- If you have a four-room apartment, and you have one month until your move, perhaps you can pack up one room per week, depending.   Kitchens can take longer than a week if you are an avid cook.  Likewise, if you are a clothes horse, you may need more time to get your bedroom closet packed up.  Adjust your time frames accordingly.

7- Set aside a couple of large boxes for your bedding so you can make your bed as soon as possible at the new place on move day.

Keep a few things on hand

1-Small suitcase or duffle bag for each member of the household. Every person should pack enough clothing, underwear, sleepwear, and toiletries to cover the next day or two. Include medicines, vitamins, eyeglasses and/or contact lenses, and the like.

2- Cooler into which you’ll put perishable food so that refrigerator transfer is seamless

3-Computer, tablet, cell phone, and corresponding chargers

4- Small bag containing snacks, bottled drinking water, some cash, clean rags, an all-purpose cleaner, basic tool kit, first aid kit, and anything else you think you’ll need.

5-Whatever else you don’t want packed deep within the box depths

Inventory

When I managed the moves of other people, I kept an inventory as a way to cross check and be sure nothing was lost in the move.  I took notes about EVERYTHING.  I cannot emphasize enough how helpful this step is.

Even if you are moving just yourself, I would strongly encourage you to write things down as you think of them.  During stressful times such as this, it is easy to forget much.

1- In order to keep accurate inventory, make sure that every box packed is assigned a number, and that number is on a Master List.

2- Beside each number list the box’s contents.

3- Also write the contents on the box itself.

This may seem like a lot of repetitive work, but it truly only takes a minute or two.  I found this practice to be very worthwhile, especially when someone “urgently needed” something very specific.

Packing

Packing can be very personal.  If you are employing movers, they may offer packing services.  If you choose to pack things up yourself, please refer to my post, “Pack Like A Pro.”

Accidents Happen

Try not to get too upset if something breaks.  And something, very likely, will break!

Roadblocks

While packing, things may be unearthed that are difficult to face.   That is one of the biggest downsides of moving.  Yet, if viewed as an opportunity to get rid of things that weigh us down, it can actually become an upside.  If you haven’t read Marie Kondo’s “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,”  I highly recommend doing so.  It is a very positive, sensible approach to decluttering and organizing.

Unpacking

1- If at all possible, I highly recommend getting into your new place BEFORE your move day to clean!  Moving is a messy business, but if you have wiped down your shelving, cupboards, and bathrooms before your stuff arrives, unpacking will be a breeze.

2- If this is not possible, at least try to clean as you go while you unpack and organize.  Try not to let this process drag on.

3- Give yourself a deadline and do your best to stick to it.  It can get discouraging to come home to half-empty boxes after you’ve been living somewhere for over a month.

4- Make it homey.  Back in my Move Management days, unpacking was my favorite part. I had a co-worker who was also a gifted designer, and she magically made each home look inviting and welcoming.  I remember one time when she hung up a bathrobe with the belt tied in a beautiful bow, making it look like art!  Treat yourself to a new, scented candle or a simple flower bouquet.  Small touches can make a big impact, thus lessening your stress.

Welcome home!

Now you can say the worst is finally over.  I hope you found this helpful.  Over time, you will create your new routines, scope out your errand route, meet new people, and make discoveries.  Enjoy your new adventure and welcome home!

Blessings!

♥