Feisty Girl

I love moving. No, really! It gives me an excuse to go through all my stuff and purge the things I don’t use.

The key to having a stress-less move-in is to sort your stuff before you pack it, and to de-clutter as you go. Start early, so you can pack at your own pace without worrying about running out of time before the movers arrive. By early I mean anywhere from 5 days to 2 weeks for a one-bedroom apartment. Longer if you have an entire house.  

Be sure you have lots of boxes, packing paper and/or bubble wrap, tape and permanent markers on hand. You can get these at storage places or office supply stores, but I’ve found that the prices are usually lower at home improvement stores like Lowes or The Home Depot. Of course sometimes you can get used boxes from work, too! Start collecting them from your cubicle neighbors several weeks or even months in advance. Fold them down flat before you try and bring them home so they don’t take up extra space before you need them.

When I get ready to start packing, I tend to start with the stuff I’m going to need to unpack last – so books, decorations, etc. Don’t start with the kitchen or bathroom — you’ll probably eat or shower the day before your move, so save those things til later. Pack heavy things like books in smaller boxes, and lighter things like throw pillows in larger boxes. As per usual – keep like with like. Don’t pack books and pillows in the same box 😉

Also, take this opportunity to assess whether or not you really need 20 boxes of books! As you pack, start a donation pile. And go through the dark corners of your closets too – donate any clothes you haven’t worn in the last year. Be honest with yourself, if you haven’t worn it in a year, are you really going to wear it soon? Leave some space in your new closet for new clothes!

Be sure to label as you pack – and be specific if you have lots of one thing. For instance – when you do get to the kitchen, don’t label every single box “kitchen”. You’re going to want to find some things pretty quickly when you get into your new place – so write KITCHEN in big letters, but then also add specifics, like “flatware”, “drinking glasses”, “everyday dishes”, “blender”, “cookie sheets”, etc. If you know what you’re going to be looking for as soon as you move in, you can even write notes to yourself such as “KITCHEN – open first” and use that box to pack all the little things you’ll want to find as soon as you move in.

In review:

1. Start early! No all-night packing parties required.
2. De-clutter before you pack – make a donation pile as you go.
3. Pack the last first – keep things you use daily unpacked until last.
4. Keep like with like – pillows and books don’t belong in the same box.
5. Small boxes for heavy items, large boxes for lighter ones (your movers will thank you!).
6. Label your boxes specifically – with the room and contents.
7. Have an organized, stress-less moving day!