So, how can moving be easier? Here are a few ideas to keep
you on track.
OHIO (Only Handle it Once). Before you list your home, it’s
best to depersonalize the space. When
you take up all those family photos and quirky caricatures, wrap and pack them
for the move. There’s no point stashing
them in a bin or drawer, only to have to pack them later.
Purge before you pack. Whenever possible, try to eliminate
anything you no longer want before
you move. So often, people throw belongings into a box saying, “I’ll sort it
out in the new place.” Here are two things to consider: If you’re already
thinking that you’ll make a final decision after the move, you’re already half
way to admitting you don’t want the item.
Besides, putting off all those decisions until after you move prolongs
the stress and frustration that often accompanies a move. Until you open and
unpack every box, you won’t be truly settled. Why wait and hang on to those
feelings of being in flux?
Pack an organized box. Don’t succumb to the pressure to throw
whatever you touch into a box, regardless of what will be packed with it. If you find a valid passport at the back of a
kitchen drawer, don’t pack it with your knives and forks; pack it with other
vital documents.
Forward your change of address. Once you know your move date,
start notifying all necessary parties of your new address. I strongly recommend
completing a mail redirect at your local postal outlet.
Label and colour code. Remember to identify which room in the
new house each box should be placed in. Some people like to assign a colour to
each room in their new house and affix a label of the same colour onto all
boxes or furniture to go in that room.
For example, in the new house, hang a piece of red paper on the bathroom
door; when you pack anything that should go into the bathroom, put a red
sticker/label on the box. And don’t forget to list some of the contents on each
box. You likely won’t get everything
unpacked in one day. When you have to
find something in a hurry, you’ll be glad to have a list of each box’s contents
to refer to.
Pack a Last day/First day box. When you’ve been packing for
days and weeks leading up to your move date, you’ll start to pare down your
frequent go-to items. When you only have a day left in your old house, you’ll
want to put together a collection of the toiletries and clothes you will need
on move day, as well as a box of the cleaning supplies and must-haves for your
first few hours in your new home. Some things
to include would be toilet paper, paper towel, cleaning supplies, rubber
gloves, a mop and pail, hand soap, dish soap and a few hand towels.
Ask about exceptions. When you’re booking
your moving company, be sure to ask if they have any exceptions. Movers generally won’t move hazardous
materials, (this can include your household cleaning products), overweight
items or even alcohol. Likewise, be sure
that the company you move with can meet any special needs you may have, such as
moving a piano or appliances.
