6 Tips to Make Moving Easier
Let’s face it, moving is stressful. You need to pack all your things, transfer your bills, find a vehicle to transport your stuff, the list goes on. The logistics and work involved with moving can make you scared to even start at all. Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you make the best out of your moving experience.
1. Downsize beforehand
An easy way to make your move way less stressful? Move less stuff. Nothing is more disheartening than unpacking something and realizing you should have just thrown it out to begin with. Try and only keep things you really need or enjoy. When we live in one place for a long time, we tend to accumulate a lot of junk. If you dedicate time to going through your stuff and throwing out what you don’t need beforehand, you’ll find the actual move to be much easier.
There are various methods for downsizing. One popular method is the Konmari method, where you pick up each item and ask whether or not it sparks joy. If it does, you keep it; if it doesn’t, you thank it and throw it out or donate it.
2. Sort into rooms/areas
For some people, moving can be especially difficult when they aren’t sure where to put their items. Or similarly, they are looking for one specific item and can’t find it amidst all the boxes. The easiest way to alleviate this problem is to sort your boxes into different rooms.
You will want to keep all of your kitchen stuff together, your bathroom things together, bedroom things together, and so on. This way, you’ll know where to put each box when you’re moving in, and you’ll also know how to find certain objects easily.
3. Label everything
Continuing on with the sorting theme, you’re definitely going to want to label these boxes. There is no point in sorting your things into rooms if you can’t tell which room it’s supposed to go in! You may be tempted to think that you’ll remember which box is which, but with all the chaos that moving day brings, you’re very likely to forget.
People use lots of different methods for labeling their boxes. Some people simply write which room it goes in on a piece of tape. Some people opt to color code their tape. Some places even sell tape with rooms already written on the packing tape. Whichever method you prefer, make sure that you’re labeling both the top and sides of each box so that you can tell where it supposed to go from multiple angles.
4. Utilize your own existing storage
If you aren’t someone with a lot of boxes lying around, you may be wondering what you’re actually going to put all your stuff in. There are many ways to be crafty about moving without having to pay for or borrow lots of cardboard boxes.
You probably have lots of containers lying around that you haven’t realized can substitute for boxes. Things like laundry baskets are great for moving. You’ll also want to make sure that you’re filling in all the spaces possible, so long as they won’t be too heavy to lift.
5. Use clothes as fragile item packaging
For some, moving is a hassle because of all the items you think you need to buy: moving boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, etc. However, as with using your own containers, you can also use your other items to wrap fragile things. You can wrap these items in clothing and accessories that will help protect it.
For example, wrapping things in scarves usually works very well, as does wrapping them in winter garments like sweaters. As for those smaller items like socks and underwear? Don’t take up a whole box for them, you can usually stuff them into small areas that you wouldn’t be able to fit other items. You can also stuff your socks inside your shoes (provided they aren’t too stinky).
6. Make a party out of it
Nothing is worse than having to go through this moving process alone. If you’re lucky enough to know people in the city you’re currently living or in the one you’re moving to, try and get people together to help you out.
Try and make the moving process as fun as possible. Play some fun music. Order in some food to eat (pizza is always a good choice). Just make sure that you’re ready when people arrive and able to give clear directions about how they can help out.
However you choose to go about it, the main way to make easier is by planning ahead. Doing everything you can at your own pace while keeping everything as organized as possible will ensure moving day success. With that in mind, usually something will go wrong whether you have planned ahead or not. Keep a positive attitude and know that everything will turn out alright in the end. After all, you’ve got a snazzy new place to start decorating!