An honest evaluation of moving shows that it is stressful, frustrating, painful, and just plain exhausting. You can read all of the tips, tricks, and hacks that you can lay your hands on, but that won’t make it an event that you’re anticipating with the excitement of kids on their way to Disney World.
To ease the pain, think about the big picture. Visualize yourself relaxing in your gorgeous new home with everything in place, the movers gone, and the family basking in the glow of each other’s company. Too unrealistic?? Okay, at least the movers are gone. You will get through this one way or the other. Here we go with our second “Make Moving Bearable” installment, Prepping for the Move.
First Things First
A moving planner notebook with checklists is a must. You can find one on Amazon or in your local bookstore. You may even want to purchase a binder and make your own planner with lined paper and dividers. If you do decide to create your own planner, there are plenty of downloadable planning guides to help you. Whatever you do, do something! You need a place to organize your thoughts, make your lists, and guide your actions. Post-it notes stuck on your arms do not serve as a planner. Whether you create your own planner or buy one, be sure that there are pockets somewhere in it for receipts and random notes that you may need later.
Professional Movers
Yes, you will save money by begging your friends, family, and acquaintances to help. But, professional movers are…well…professional! They have the manpower and expertise to get the job done quickly and they usually don’t break your stuff. They carry extra boxes and supplies and can help with last-minute packing that should have been finished a month ago. This can be a huge life saver!
Be sure to book the moving company for the first time slot of the day. Everyone will be fresh and alert and there is less chance of a delay. If you have a large move, timing won’t be an issue because your movers will be with you all day (maybe two). They’ll become like family, only better because they leave before you get too sick of them.
Declutter
Moving is the perfect time to purge your belongings. Do it ahead of time. If you’ve made the decision to store some of your belongings, you’ve probably already started this process. Check out our article Self Storage, The Secret Weapon for Your Next Move for more ideas. Make three piles, “Keep,” “Donate,” and “Discard.” I’ve seen some articles that suggest adding, “Recycle,” and “Trash” piles. If you’re discarding something, you’re throwing it in the trash, so you can eliminate that one. “Recycle” is up to you, but don’t make this too complicated. The idea is to make your move less stressful.
Packing and Moving Supplies
Now it’s time to get those supplies together. If you’ve already decided to pack and store some items, you’ve probably begun to accumulate boxes, tape, tape dispensers, bubble wrap, wrapping paper, colored tape, markers, and various other packing supplies, and you know that you can find them at your local storage facility as well as many big box stores. Raiding the grocery store dumpsters and your friends garages is not always the best idea. Grocery store boxes may be harboring insects and spoiled food, and used boxes are sometimes in a weakened condition. Certain moving companies have a supply of used boxes that are still in great condition. If offered, you will definitely want to take advantage of that service.
Be sure to color code, label, and number your boxes. Just stick a piece of colored tape on each door frame to coordinate with the tape on the boxes that belong in that room. Moving day will move much more quickly when the movers know where to stow your boxes. Do your best to create a detailed list of the contents on each box, and unpacking will be a breeze because you know what’s inside.
Pack the Same Room in the Same Box
Everything that goes into a box needs to come out eventually. Don’t pack your frying plans with your shoes. Unpacking items that all belong in the same room saves time and energy.
Kitchens and Bathrooms
These rooms take the most time to pack, so get them done as early as possible. If you have more than one bathroom, pack all but one and close the doors. The family can rough it, and use one bathroom for a few weeks. As far as the kitchen, there should be no cooking for the last few days prior to the move. You can live on cereal and takeout, and, of course, use only disposable plates and utensils.
The Golden Rule
The heavier the item, the smaller the box. Save the larger boxes for things that are lighter and more cumbersome on their own. Your movers will thank you.
Pictures
Keep that cell phone handy. Before you disconnect TV’s, computers, sound bars, speakers, and any other electronic devices, take a picture.Trying to guess how they were connected won’t work, and reading the directions (if you can find them) is tedious and frustrating. Try to remember to take pictures of the contents of your boxes. Yes, you are making lists of those contents on each box, but you may miss something. Having a picture to go along with the list can be more helpful than you may think.
Decide on the Best Place to Keep Packed Boxes
Once the boxes are packed, you need to designate a specific place to keep them neatly stacked. Choose the garage, a spare bedroom, or whatever space works best for your family. If you need to move out prior to being able to move into your new home, self storage offers a great temporary option. And, if you get the storage unit(s) a few weeks prior to your move out date, you can gradually fill them up as you pack, lightening the burden on actual moving day.
Moving will never be a trip to Disney World, but with the right amount of preparation and planning, you can keep it from being a trip to a place you would rather not think about. Look for our next installment if you want some hints on keeping your sanity on the big day.