Have you heard? Moving is considered one of life’s three biggest stressors. As if you needed a study to tell you that. But don’t worry, you’re not moving a mountain, you’re simply relocating a home. And that is completely doable.
There is however, a secret to making the move easier and it’s one word: organization. And because there is already an abundance of online moving lists like this one helping you know when, how and what to do, I’m going to focus on a few things not to do.
Don’t start without a plan
The real hindrance to a successful move? Poor organization. Whether it’s the planning, the packing, or the actual moving, it costs you in time, money, frustration, and stress. A checklist from the early planning stages all the way through to the big move helps keep everything straight, including knowing you left nothing behind (not even your wits).
Don’t wait too long
Start as early as possible so you won’t feel stressed or that you’ve lost control before you’ve even begun. And if you need help, ask—whether it’s a professional organizer like myself (who thrives on projects such as this), or close friends and family.
Don’t rush
Even if you find yourself short on time for getting from point A to point B, don’t rush. Elevating your stress levels will have a snowball effect on the entire process. In addition, hurrying to move furniture, appliances, and heavy boxes can lead to injuries (who has time for that?), and may cause you to damage a few valuables in the process (leading to more stress). So slow down. Breathe. Plan.
Don’t do it by yourself
Moving is not a one-person job. It takes a lot of time and effort. So why not ask a friend or two (or five) to help out? Have a packing party (throw in pizza and drinks). The work will get done and you’ll probably have a good time doing it. And of course, you can always hire a moving company to take care of anything that’s needed.
Don’t keep what you don’t need
Moving is a great time to take inventory of your material possessions. There’s probably quite a bit of stuff you don’t need or haven’t used in years, and there’s no sense in packing and moving those items, and then deciding to get rid of them (after you already packed up and moved them). So consider selling or donating (or both) them before the big move.
And the other best moving advice I’d offer? Everything goes in a box. Yes, that means everything. I often find that multiple trips to the car have to be made with armloads of “extras” because they didn’t get packed in the first place. So walk through each room and ask yourself, “Is absolutely everything in this room that can go in a box in a box? You’ll be glad you did.
So no, you’re not moving a mountain. And by applying these organizational tips and strategies, it won’t have to feel like you are either.
