Let’s face it: moving can be a daunting task, even if it’s nearby. There are so many things to do: pack up your stuff, move your furniture, say goodbye to your old home (*cue the tears*). Well, the only way to make the actual move hassle-free is to put in effort before. On the actual day of the move, you’ll be in a hurry, and you’ll be tired, and you may be cranky. So the days leading to the move are critical. Here are some things you must do if you want to avoid stress.
- Get rid of stuff
This might be one of the toughest decisions you need to make when you move, but remember that it’s also the most important. Unless you’re a minimalist, you’re bound to have useless stuff in your home. All the things you stored for a later which never came, all the stuff you didn’t have the heart to dispose, well, it’s time to get rid of all that. Believe me, it’ll make moving a lot easier.
- Categorize your things
This may seem like a gigantic task at first, but it’s something that will make your move a not-so-gigantic task. Sort everything you own into categories and sub-categories. You could put things in boxes based on which room they’ll go into, and on which closet they’ll go into in the room. Take a page from Marie Kondo’s book, and micro-organise everything. It’ll not only help you pack, but also unpack.
- Label your boxes thoroughly
Labelling is what’ll save you a lot of trouble when you unpack, so make sure to do it accurately and thoroughly. Label by category and by room, like “books, bedroom” and “books, office”, so you’re completely clear. Also make sure to write all this on the sides, so you can read it even when the boxes are stacked.
- Pack a night bag with your essentials
Odds are, the day you finally relocate, you’ll be too tired to do any unpacking. You need to make sure you have your essentials handy, like a toothbrush, and the next day’s clothes if you’re planning on going to work. You should also pack in your laptop and other electronics, because you’ll want that handy, too.
- Pack up things you’ll need immediately in a clear box
When you do unpack, you’ll do it step-by-step and the work probably won’t get done in a day. So prioritize the unpacking by getting to the stuff you need immediately. Pack all that in a clear box so you don’t have to struggle with the labels. Put stuff like box cutters, kitchenware and the like in the box.
- Create a to-do list
There will be hundreds of things to remember while moving, and if you rely on your brain to remember everything, you’re likely to miss something. So create a to-do-list with all the stuff you need to get done. Nothing is too silly or insignificant, and you can add things to the list as you go along. Make sure to cut the things you’ve already don’t off the list, so you don’t have to go back to it.
- Wrap your breakables in clothing
This will save both space and bubble-wrap. Your breakables like china and glassware can be compactly wrapped up in the soft clothing, and you’ll kill two birds with one stone, because you’re packing both things simultaneously.
- Keep extra packing space
There’s always little stuff that comes up suddenly, so it’s important to be prepared. You need to keep not only extra packing space, but also supplies, so that you’re not caught off guard at the last minute.
- Make copies of important documents
Your documents are all paper, and paper can easily get lost in the inevitable hustle-bustle that comes with moving. Make sure you make copies, both digital and hard, of all the documents that are most important to you. You can never be too careful with your original certificates and identity proofs, so ensure that you have copies of everything.
- Find a professional
The last, but perhaps most essential tip is to find a professional company to help you move. It’s never a good idea to do it on your own or take help from a friend, because there are a lot of complications involved, and professionals are paid to handle those complications. You can find the best movers by recommendation or word-of-mouth, which is the best way. One such company which ha been highly recommended is ProAce Moving and Storage (the website is http://moving.proaceintl.com/home.html).
– This article is written by Annie Ak, a contributing author for Moverzfax.com, the leading consumer protection portal for the moving industry.