Six Excellent Moving and Packing Tips
Moving is a significant life event and usually comes with many mixed feelings. There is always a part of you that is happy and eager to start fresh and explore new paths, whereas another part is anxious and sad about leaving behind a comfortable life for the unknown.
With all the feelings that come up while preparing for a move, it is enough to get overwhelmed. Therefore, you need all the help you can get in keeping yourself on track.
One part of the move that you especially need help with is packing. To take apart your entire life and place it into neat little boxes is easier said than done.
But, with a little organization and the proper guidance, you can make moving and packing quite a bit easier for yourself.
Let’s make it easier. Here’s what you need to do.
-
Leave it to the Professionals.
Although it might not seem that way, moving and packing have many technicalities. There is an entire science behind each aspect of the process.
From choosing the right packing material for your electronic items to planning logistics so that your belongings don’t end up in Timbuktu, planning will take up the majority of real estate in your head.
One way to free up some much-needed space is to step back and hire a local moving company to help you.
You may think you can handle it by yourself, but with the amount of things that need your attention during a move, hiring movers can make a huge difference.
With professionals looking after the technicalities and the majority of the physical and logistical movement, you will have the energy and time to properly wrap up your affairs and do some much-needed planning for the road ahead.
-
Make a Landing Plan
Often, during a move, we are so consumed with the moving process that we forget to plan for when we get to the destination. A new city can be strange, and even figuring out where to find the nearest drugstore can be challenging for a newbie.
Therefore, preparing and planning for your first couple of days after the move before the actual moving day comes around is essential.
Start by looking for accommodation. You should even consider making a quick trip down to the city before the move to finalize a place. Then, move on to contacting utility providers, making any necessary changes to your health insurance plan, and applying for any permits you may need in the new city.
You should also take some time to do some research on your new neighborhood and find essential service providers such as hospitals, grocers, drugstores, etc.
-
Declutter, Donate, and Sell
A new city is a new beginning; taking old, useless baggage with you is a bad idea. A move is an excellent opportunity to declutter your home and your life.
Before you start packing, you must be mindful and assess whether everything you own deserves to accompany you on this new chapter of your life.
Make simple formulas to help you, such as removing any item you haven’t used in over a year. If you’re serious about cleaning up, you can also try to identify easily replaceable items in your new home and donate or sell them to someone who needs them more.
-
Organize Everything
Notify all your service providers, banks, subscriptions, and other frequent mailers of the move in advance, ask them to stop sending mail a week before the moving date, and only resume when you provide a new address.
Secondly, label and index every single thing that is packed in boxes and suitcases. This way, you won’t have to open every box to find a single item. Lastly, make all outstanding payments you have due against you before the move.
Moreover, items like glassware, dishes, and electronics that are fragile need extra care when moving.
A good idea would be to wrap delicate items in bubble wrap or packing paper before placing them in boxes. Use clothing, towels, and linens as padding for added protection. For electronics, consider using their original packaging whenever possible.
-
Take Photos of Your Valuables
We’re carrying the previous step in this one. Before disassembling electronics or valuable items, take photos from different angles to ensure they’re in perfect shape.
Why? Because this visual proof can serve as a reference in case items are damaged during the move, aiding in potential insurance claims.
-
Pack an Essentials Bag
Picture this: It’s your first night in your new apartment; your furniture is dismantled, and all your bags and boxes are packed. You’re beat as it’s 2 a.m., and want to hit the sack.
You head to the bathroom to brush your teeth and realize you don’t have toothpaste. Worse, you have no idea where you can find toothpaste at this hour, so you just rinse your mouth and head to bed, and that’s how you ruin your first night in a new home.
To avoid a similar experience, pack an essentials bag you can carry during the move. It is a kit containing everyday essentials and other items you may need after a move, such as toiletries, clothes, medicines, chargers, ID documents, etc.
Final Words
Moving is always stressful, but with the above tips, you may find the entire process much easier than you think. With your packing and moving sorted, all you need to do is look ahead and prepare for this new journey of your life.
We hope you learned something from this article; if you think we missed anything, please tell us in the comments below.
