The Most Effective Way to Relocate
Relocating to a new city or even a new state or country can be an exciting prospect as it has the hopes and promises of a fresh beginning. However, it can also be terrifying to many people who have to pick up everything and start over somewhere else.
What makes this transition even more daunting is the move itself—the organizing, the planning, and the packing!
Let’s take a look at ways to make this type of transition a bit smoother with packing and organizational tips that can really help you keep your sanity during this major move.
- Get organized — You will just drive yourself crazy with a move if you are doing everything in a haphazard fashion. The good news is that there are a lot of apps and other resources that can help you get organized. You will need to create a timeline or calendar of all of the things that you need to get ready before you start loading a single box into a moving truck. You should also use this time to plan your budget for the move and decide if that budget allows for the hiring of professional movers.
- Get rid of “junk” — The next big step in this process is to declutter your house as much as possible. I suggest doing this room-by-room. Go into your bedroom closet, for instance, and start three separate piles. The first will be the stuff you want to keep and take with you. The next would be items like clothes and other things that are in good condition that you don’t want or need anymore. These will be your “donate” pile.
The last pile will be for stuff that you don’t want or need that isn’t in good condition. Just toss this pile straight into the trash. The more stuff you can get rid of, the better because it’s less hassle for you. (You can also toss the donate pile into a yard sale and try to make a few extra bucks before donating them. This money can help buy pizza for your friends as you entice them to help you move.) Once you’ve done the first room or area, move on to the next in a systematic fashion.
- Create an essentials bag — When you get to your new location, you will need a few days to unpack your stuff. Pack a bag of the essentials that you will need immediately. This will include 2 to 3 days of clothes, toiletries, your electronic devices and chargers, and other essentials such as medication. If you have children, make sure that you pack one for them as well and include a couple of cherished toys or a book to help keep them occupied.
- Stay organized — Once you start boxing things up, be sure to stay organized. Keep a running list of how many boxes you have for each room and put this information on the outside of the box. (For instance, a label might say “Kitchen 5 of 16” meaning that is the fifth box out of a total of 16 that are headed for the kitchen.) This way, you can keep up with everything and know if you are missing any boxes quickly and easily.
One of the most important things that can help make any relocation easier is advanced planning. Trying to throw everything together the night before a move isn’t going to be successful. By staying ahead of the game, you will not feel rushed and frustrated and your move will be a smooth one.
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