Tips to Make Your Next Move Easier

Moving. Is it ever enjoyable and stress free? If you're anything like me, it's not. We've had three cross country moves and each one has shown me new things to do or avoid. Since I'm currently going through the unpacking process, I wanted to share what I've learned in order to help others avoid the same mistakes.

1. Declutter declutter DECLUTTER! I can't say that enough. The less clutter you have to begin with, the less stress you'll have when the time comes to pack and move. Not to mention that you will save time by not having to go through your clutter. Take some time, even if it is just 10 minutes a day, to tackle your paperwork or whatever it is creating clutter and sitting around. Everything should have a home and if you don't know what to do with it, chances are that you should get rid of it. Some great resources for helping you figure out where to start with decluttering and cleaning are FlyLady (she breaks it down to an easy 15 min a day) and The One Minute Organizer by Donna Smallin. She has a blog with great tips for anyone wanting go the web route. Or for those who like something tangible, she has written a book that I have actually read, still have, and use. She has several other books that I'm sure are just as great.

2. Stop buying junk! Do not buy something unless you know you will love it and use all the time. If you buy something just because it's on sale, stop doing that! I can't even tell you how much STUFF we threw away or got rid of where I thought to myself "What were we thinking?!" Only buy things you need and make sure it is something that you will want to take with you should you have to move in the future.


3. Group like things together in boxes. This. is. important. I have learned this the hard way. Nothing is more annoying when you're trying to find something for a specific room and you have to dig through all the boxes only to find it in with stuff having nothing to do with your item. (ie - finding your hair dryer in with kitchen supplies) Towards the end of my packing when I'm just done with it all, I always end up grabbing anything and everything and tossing it into a box. Bad idea!


4. Label your boxes. Folks, label your boxes. It will make things so much easier to find. I'm actually in the process of trying to find my address book but because I did not label my boxes well enough (or put it in with like items), it's currently still missing.


5. Give yourself lots of time. And if you don't have time, make time. We had only three weeks before Gabe left and then two weeks after to pack. We spent much of the three weeks getting rid of stuff and then two days before Gabe left, we finally went to fill our moving pod and barely filled it leaving me to do the rest. It was not efficient time management. And those last two weeks after Gabe had left and before I moved were extremely stressful. I was trying to pack up the rest of the house with three kids underfoot, but with having too much clutter and junk (see #1 and #2) it was not easy. I ended up hiring a babysitter every morning for the whole last week because I had so much to do. As soon as you find out you are moving, start getting rid of excess stuff (or don't have any to begin with!) and packing. You will find that you have more stuff and there will be more to do than you think!

If I think of more, I may add them later. Do any of you have some tips that I haven't put down that I should add? Let me hear them.