You’ll move at least once in your life, it’s inevitable. Whether it’s moving out of your family’s home to go to college or to be on your own, the vast majority of people don’t live in the same house their entire lives. A good chunk of people move a handful of times. Packing up your whole life never gets easier. It’s stressful, time-consuming, and can be very difficult if you don’t properly prepare yourself. So take a deep breath and let’s make it as simple as possible.
LABEL BOXES
Whether you color code or just write on your boxes, make sure to label them correctly to the room the box belongs to and only stick items from that room in those boxes. If you keep all your kitchen stuff separate from your bedroom boxes, not only does it make unpacking even easier, but you’re less likely to lose items and keep everything together. It’s also important to label boxes with the items inside. For example, if you put “FRAGILE – GLASSES,” those helping you move will know to be more careful with handling.
START EARLY
Getting a head start means you’ll have more time to plan and won’t stress as much as the day to move out gets closer. Plan how to pack and when. Will you be going room by room or based on the necessity of the items being used? Are you packing during your free time or are you taking time off specifically to pack? When you plan the “when” and “how,” everything else seems to fall in place behind. Disorganization can severely set you back.
GO THROUGH YOUR THINGS
In the article “21 Easy Moving Tips & Tricks”, the second tip is to donate things you don’t need or use. Packing goes by quicker when you don’t have so many things to pack. Take an hour or two and go through your clothes, old papers, and anything else that you don’t use at least twice a year and donate them! Not only does this mean less to pack, but it leaves more room for new things at your new place. This means shopping and a new aesthetic! Who can say no to that?
WASH EVERYTHING
As the day to move approaches, wear some comfortable clothes and shoes, pack a bag of things you’ll need for the road if you’re moving out of the city, and wash everything else. I personally like to rewash all of my clothes; it makes them easier to pack if they’re fresh out of the dryer. It also ensures that everything will be clean moving into your new home. Don’t forget towels and bedding! You won’t want to sleep on dirty blankets or be towel-less after a long day of moving.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
In the midst of the packing craziness, it’s easy to forget to eat and stay hydrated. If you take any of these tips away, I hope it’s this one. Constantly drink water and make sure you have a good breakfast and stop for a snack or lunch! Packing and moving take a lot of energy and if you don’t take care of yourself properly, it will only make the process longer and more difficult. If you need to pick something up to eat since your food is either packed away or thrown out, do it! A couple of bucks on a good meal will go a long way when you’re moving heavy items and focusing on a deadline.
Moving can be a very stressful time if you’re not prepared. Following a checklist (if that’s what you prefer), having help, and being organized are all ways to make the process smoother and ensure that you fully enjoy moving into your new place. Starting a new life in a different place should be exciting and fun, so make sure it is!
