Moving can be quite exciting, but it can also be quite
stressful – especially if you have never moved before. Not only do you have to
pack up all of your belongings, you also have to figure out how you are going
to transport them safely, as well as making sure that your new abode is ready
for your arrival.
The key to a successful move is organization. If you don’t have
a plan in place, your move will quickly become overwhelming. Instead of
thinking, “I’ll just start packing it all up and things will work out,” set a
plan in motion a few months – or at the very least, a few weeks – before you
actually move. The better the plan, the
more organized and less stressful your move will be.
Are you scratching your head and starting to feel a little bit
panicked just reading the above? Take a deep breath, count to 10, and read on
for some easy to follow tips that will make your first move a huge
success.
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| Image courtesy of ShutterStock |
Write a List
When it comes to being organized, lists are your best friend.
This is especially true when you preparing for a big move. A list allows you to
keep track of everything that you need to do before moving day, and helps you
stay on-track as the day draws near.
For the best results, create a list well in advance of your
move--if possible, at least two months before. Determine what it is you need to
accomplish and sit down with a calendar
so you can determine when you need to finish it all. For example, write
down when you want to have a specific room packed up, when you need to call
your utility company to have your power turned off at your current place, and
when things need to go to storage. Don’t forget to actually check each
completed item off your list!
The Sooner the Better
The sooner you start the process of moving, the better. If you
can start packing up things you don’t use often even six months in advance,
you’ll be less frazzled when moving day draws near.
Cleanse
Packing is the perfect time to rid your closet of clothes that
you don’t wear anymore and to donate those college textbooks that have been
collecting dust. So, as you are boxing things up, create a donation or garbage pile and put in those items that
haven’t seen the light of day in more than a year. The less you have to move,
the less you have to organize.
Label
Clearly label each box with the items they contain. For
example, instead of just writing “Living Room” on a box that contains throw
pillows and pictures, actually write down the names of the items on the outside
of the box. This way, when it comes time to unpack, you know exactly where
everything is and you won’t spend time digging through countless boxes.
Another helpful tip when packing up items is to use clear, acrylic containers. Because you’re able to see
inside the boxes, it is easier to unpack and stay organized.
Announce Your Move
Make calls to credit card companies, utility companies,
doctors, friends, and family members and anyone else that needs to know you’re
moving. Give them your new address and phone number so that you can be reached
once you are in your new digs.
Get Help
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| Image courtesy of ShutterStock |
Make sure you arrange for help of some kind. Contact a moving
company or recruit the help of friends and family members. Make sure you
arrange for help well in advance of your move so that your helpers know when
they will be needed. Keep those helping in the loop-even if people do show up
to help, it won’t truly matter if you don’t have a gameplan.
While moving for the first-time is challenging for anyone, it
doesn’t need to cause hair-pulling levels of stress. By starting well in
advance and keeping yourself on track along the way, you’ll be throwing away
those cardboard boxes before you know it. Happy packing!
Marcela De Vivo is a
freelance writer in Southern California. Having recently moved to a new place,
she knows just how hard it can be to stay organized while packing! Follow her
on Twitter
for more helpful tips.
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