Moving is a very stressful adventure and can be...daunting to say the least! To make it easier I searched Pinterest and asked by Facebook friends for all sorts of moving ideas and then implemented them in my own ways. Here is what I've done! Hopefully it will help you in your next move.
1. Dejunk!
About a year ago (when we were planning to put our house on the market) I went through all of our things-clothes, toys, storage boxes, etc. Anything we hadn't used since our previous move, and things we simply wanted to get rid of were put into a weekend yard sale. It was a great way to bring in a little cash (about $100) and the rest was donated to the thrift store. Now that it has been a year and we are finally closing on our new home, I have gone through the storage again. It was much easier this go-around! Anything we didn't use or need since last year was out! Several trips to the thrift store later and there goes several boxes I won't be packing/unpacking. Yay!
2. Develop a System!
Our last move was with a job relocation so most of our things were packed for us. Sounds like a dream you say? It was a mess! They did an ok job packing (minimal damage), but I was so unorganized before they came that we found most boxes were labeled "Pillows" when it was really office supplies with a pillow on top. NOOOOT so fun to unpack. This time WILL BE DIFFERENT! Here's what I've done.
I grabbed an old notebook (from my teaching days) and sectioned it off with masking tape tabs. Each tab was labeled with a room and designated number.
Each room or area of the house was designated a Duct Tape color. To conserve on $$ I limited it to 6 colors, so some colors cover multiple rooms but similar destinations in the new home.
I wrapped colored duct tape around opposite corners so the color could be seen from any side. On the top of the box I used the tape for the description.
I labeled each box with a number and a general description.
Then in my notebook I wrote specifically what was in each box so that I could find a particular item easily without rummaging through 5 boxes.
Any boxes or totes that are to be put in storage were simply labeled (I used white tape for the label but didn't wrap around the corners like those specified to designated rooms) and will be put into the basement.
Everyday I pack a few more things. We should close in two weeks (fingers crossed!) so if I pack a couple boxes each day it won't be so stressful and chaotic at the end, and the incredibly overwhelming task of boxing up my life won't be so daunting. To quote Bill Murray, "Baby steps"!
Not only has packing this way helped me organize my belongings, but it will be great when family and friends come to help us unpack! Because each room/area is a certain color, boxes will be easily placed where they needed to be for easy unpacking.
3. Plan Ahead!
Eat Frozen Food-To limit the amount of food you will need to toss (or transport), start making meals with all your frozen foods! It may mean you have some totally random combinations (like chicken nuggets with peas and pasta with a smoothie-from frozen berries/fruit) but it makes for cleaning the fridge out much easier (and less wasteful)! Then, as more things are packed, quick microwave, crockpot, or oven meals are the way to go! Less dishes and stress-double win!
First Night Box-Plan a box of all the things you will need the first night you are in the house. That day will be busy and stressful! The last thing you want to be doing is digging through boxes looking for a roll of toilet paper or a towel after a much needed shower. Some things to consider (aside from towels and toilet paper) are paper/plastic dishes (cups, plates, bowls, silverware), bedding, box cutter, small trash bin/trash bags, bottled water, and a pill case for vitamins/medications for that night.
Camping/Activities-Often times when we are moving, there are events that have been planned for months in advance that just happen to take place the weeks before moving. For example, we have a family camping trip that has already been paid for, so instead of simply skipping it, we are already packed and ready to go! When we are done, I will put the camping stuff back in the tote and store it for the week before closing so I don't even have to stress about it! (Are you noticing the recurring theme of 'less stress'?)
Logisitics-How are you moving your things to their new destination? Are you renting a storage unit or a storage pod? Are you renting a truck and transporting it yourself? Where are you renting from? Be sure to plan this one ahead, especially if you are moving during the prime moving months in the Spring and Summer time. Sometimes trucking companies are reserved weeks in advance so nail do your plan (and a couple contingencies) as soon as you know your end game. And don't be afraid to ask for deals! Many companies will price match or offer special rates if rented on certain days.
Save "Padding" Materials-Anything that can be used to stuff boxes or wrap items in KEEP! This is a great way to put junk mail to use! Newspaper ads, credit card garbage-you name it, we've used it! We have even used grocery bags, phone book pages, and the market analyses of our house from different realtors. Literally any padding is helpful! And when you're done it can all be recycled.
Overall, moving is a stressful experience. So many factors have to line up just right, and the unknown is scary. Why make it harder on yourself? This move has been one of the least stressful, and I don't think it's because this is our third move in 5 years. They've all been different, with different circumstances, but dejunking, developing a system of organization, and planning ahead have made all the difference!
