by If all goes as planned, we will be homeowners {again} in just a few weeks! I am excited about this next chapter in our lives and want to share much of it with you. We are buying a home that needs some love- think paint, pressure washing, and some updates. I hope to share those projects with you but for now, I want to share my moving prep plan.
This will be our THIRD move in TWENTY-SEVEN MONTHS! Yes, you read that correctly. I (unfortunately) feel like I am turning into a pro at moving. I want to share my process in hopes of helping others who haven’t been as lucky (not) as me to move so frequently. Today’s post focuses on things you can do a six weeks to a month before a move.
The key to my moving prep is to do it slowly and steadily. Rome was not built in a day and I assure you, this 2700 square foot townhouse won’t be packed in a day either. Even though we are a month out from the move, I am still trying to focus on areas that I can accomplish now versus waiting to do later. Handling them now will take stress off of me later when more necessary packing is needed… aka the opposite of procrastination.
Your first plan of action is get boxes. Collecting Amazon boxes, raiding your neighbors recycling bins, and hitting up your local liquor store (for boxes) are all great ways to accomplish this plan. Whenever you get into packing, the last thing you want to happen is not having enough boxes. So, start collecting and don’t stop until the last box is packed!
As I prep for the move, I try really hard to remember when we last used each item. If it is still in a box from our last move, do we need to move it again? I think cleaning out/donating unused items is important BEFORE you move. It will save you money on moving costs- less for movers to move, less boxes/tape to buy, and less to unpack in your new home.
The majority of a move is on me. I have to handle packing, organizing, and logistics. This is not a complaint- just an honest statement. In the effort of full disclosure, I have hired someone to help me organize/pack for a couple of hours each week. It’s not that I need this person’s expertise to help me complete the process, but more like I need her to be around to help motivate me. Maybe your spouse is this person or your friend, or maybe you are a self motivated packer. I work best having a helper and have no shame in admitting that.
Start decluttering.
This far out from a move, it is best to start with places that you don’t use frequently in your home. Linen closets, bedroom closets, and under bathroom sinks are a good place to start. Use this time to take on one space at a time. Maybe try to conquer one or two a day. During this conquering, pull every item out. I think physically touching each thing is important as it helps you weed through things. Have three piles- keep, donate, and trash. If you are moving (as I am), you may want a 4th box for packing. Some things I know I want to keep, but I know I won’t need it before I move, so why not go ahead and pack? These items can be seasonal (JB does not need snow boots nor his Easter basket before we move next month) so they are already packed. I don’t think I am going to need my extra winter blankets or extra towels in the next month, so I went ahead a boxed those up. Label these boxes and in a few weeks, they will start to pile up and you will feel very accomplished…. and less stressed.
Decluttering Areas: closets, book shelves, picture frames, kitchen pantry
Start Organizing.
Areas that always overwhelm me: kitchen pantry, JB’s toys, and the junk/mail table. I pretty much hate these areas. The pantry is always full of stuff and I can’t find what I need when I need it. The mail table just gets stacked and stacked until it falls over. JB’s toys are in perpetual movement throughout our three story townhouse. Reuniting them is a bit overwhelming.
Well, I am happy to say that I worked on these three spots this week. The mail junk is still there but MUCH lower. JB’s toys have been sorted through into donate pile, trash, pack now, and pack later. It was nice to see everything get put together; legos are all together, the match cars, big cars, etc. And three boxes of toys are all packed to move to the new house.
Organizing Areas: office desk/paperwork, children’s toys, kitchen pantry
Pack unnecessary items.
We have a perfect ledge to display picture frames in our current home. It’s nice to see the pics every day, but my life is going to be ok for the next month with them already being packed. We have a great selection of board games, but I doubt we will play them in the next month, so they are packed. I do not need my winter clothes for a few more months, so they are packed. I can do without my “formal” dining set so that will be packed next.
Packing Areas: fine china, books, picture frames, garage tools
I hope some of these tips will help make your upcoming move less stressful!
learn, brooke
brooke's brain 
Leave a Reply