Moving is like getting a tooth pulled or driving a very long distance through uninteresting landscapes, is one of those trials almost everyone must face. It’s sometimes unpleasant, it’s never exactly fun, but it usually leads to a positive outcome.
Relocating households takes time, and effort, and is undoubtedly stressful. Luckily, these packing and moving tips can make this process easier on the nerves.
1. Declutter so you can pack less: packing all your possessions into boxes, bags, and more can be overwhelming. Make it a little bit easier on yourself by cutting back on clutter as much as possible. Before you pack a single box, do a merciless purge of unused or unnecessary items. You’ll have less to pack, less to move, and less to unpack—and you’ll start life in your new space with a clean slate.
2. Make a moving folder: start collecting new addresses, rental or purchase papers, moving contracts, and more in one folder. (Consider a hard copy, rather than a digital one, in case the computer or phone batteries die during the move.) If any questions come up during the planning process or the move itself, you’ll have the answer (and records of agreements, payments, and more) on hand.
3. Invest in quality moving boxes: It’s tempting to go to your local grocery store and try to score some boxes for free. However, moving boxes are relatively inexpensive, and the added durability can be worth the cost in the end. Grocery boxes and reused moving boxes can be compromised due to wear and exposure to moisture or worse, a bug infestation. The last thing you want is a box falling apart in your hand while you’re trying to move it into the house.
4. Don’t leave empty spaces in boxes: fill in any gaps with packing paper, clothing or foam peanuts to prevent items from shifting around during the move. Use tape to close the bottom and top seams and around the edges where stress is concentrated.
5. Bundle the breakables: For any fragile items you pack, use plenty of bunched-up paper and padding. Never place these items in boxes freely without some extra cushion. Spend the time packing these items correctly to save you stress in the long run.
6. Label each box with the room it’s destined for and a description of its contents: This will help you and your movers know where every box belongs in your new place. Numbering each box and keeping an inventory list in a small notebook is a good way to keep track of what you’ve packed and to make sure you still have everything when you unpack.
In conclusion, moving hacks are all about making things a bit easier on yourself. Follow the ones above, and you’ll see that your move isn’t quite as bad as you expected it to be.
