Relocation is an exciting journey, but it also accompanies emotional challenges and sentimental associations. Leaving behind your home, community, friends, and family will not prove easy. It will leave you mentally numb and overwhelmed with emotions. But these emotions are the least of your challenges.
You have to sort through all the belongings you've accumulated over your lifetime and sort out the ones you need. You will have to pack everything you intend to take, which will require weeks of unpaid labor. It is crucial to approach professionals like CBDmovers to prevent complications and unnecessary hassle.
Here, take a look at some packing tips that will make your relocation easier:
A DETAILED CHECKLIST
The first step is to start with a detailed checklist that lists all your chores, essentials, and responsibilities. Make a checklist for all the chores you need to do, such as packing, discontinuing utilities and transferring mail address, etc. Then, make another checklist to list down all the items you're packing and carrying along.
Make a printable checklist so you can share it with your family and the movers for transparency and efficiency.
MANAGE THE CLUTTER
Our homes are typically overflowing with unwanted, discarded, or kept items due to sentimental associations. Moving out is an excellent opportunity to sort through this clutter and examine the items you wish to keep. You can always use the Marie Kondo trick and ask yourself: does this old high school jacket bring me joy?
Or you can take a more practical method by holding a yard sale for all the functional items you don't need. For the items you'd like to keep, consider renting a self-storage unit. If you have plans to return, you don't have to take all your belongings, especially those you won't need.
Decluttering will help you reduce your moving and transportation expenses considerably. You can reduce your load, donate certain items, and even make money off a successful yard sale.
PACK WITH CARE
Packing is no good, and if you can't do better, let the movers handle this chore. It is essential to adopt a mindful and careful approach to packing. Or you will take the risk of damaging precious items, such as paintings, ceramics, and memorabilia.
Use bubble wrap and plastic sheets to protect all delicate items that can break or get chipped. Be sure to cover up all your ceramics, or better yet, pack them in between your clothes. It will ensure that your precious China and crockery lie comfortably with cushiony support and no risk of breakages.
Consider using an old bedsheet or fabric to wrap up your sofas and other items to prevent dust or breakages. You can also remove certain fixtures, pack them separately, and reassemble them once you've reached your new home. You can also disassemble appliances and pack components separately to prevent breakages.
THE ROOM-BY-ROOM APPROACH
The room-by-room approach is a highly efficient strategy to make everything in an organized manner. The idea is to start with the rooms you are least likely to need in the days leading up to the move. You can get started with the attic and garage and work your way towards the guest bedrooms. You can start packing all the delicate items, decorations, memorabilia, and photographs.
Take your time while packing ceramics, artworks, carpets, and crockery. These require great care, and it is ideal not to rush through this process. Then, you can start packing the kids' items and toys and work in the living room. Leave the kitchen and bedroom functional until you're ready to leave.
You can always start packing your seasonal clothes and keep a few items that you need lying around. You can pack these items at the last minute to ensure your comfort before it's time to say goodbyes.
LABELING & LISTICLES
Spending hours trying to find one essential item from an endless array of boxes is a mentally agonizing process. No one deserves to experience such agony, yet we put ourselves in such situations without much thought. If you have never labeled moving boxes, you're probably familiar with the struggle of finding what went where.
It is strongly advisable to label every box. Creating listicles is an even more refined strategy that will offer you immense convenience and ease. You can list down all the items placed within a box to identify what it carries with a simple glance. It will also prevent loss and breakages as you can hold the movers accountable for oversight.
CONCLUSION
Planning a move is never easy, but you have to make it easy with efficient planning and discipline. Start with decluttering, so you don't end up working with stuff you don't even need. Your checklist will prove a true pillar of strength, reminding you of your milestones and daily chores.
While hiring movers, be sure to examine their license and check for insurance. It is ideal for researching while hiring movers or renting a storage unit. Such matters require extensive research through referrals and interviews.
Most importantly, avoid manual labor and moving around heavy furniture. Do not overburden yourself with physical and emotional stress. Stressing over petty things won't speed up the process, but it will impair your health. Be calm, composed, and organized, and things will seem much more straightforward and more comfortable!