Over the past 13 years of my married life I have moved 9 times, and we are working on our 10th move! We truly thought the last move was going to be our last, but it looks like the 10th time is the charm! We are finally buying our forever home and to do things right the last time, I have put together a list of what I have learned about moving.
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| Mommy's Packing Buddy :) |
What you will need to get started: a note-book, pen or pencil, a marker (or 5) and a little time to focus. When you start packing you will need boxes of all shapes and sizes, packing tape and maybe more markers :)
Make a list of every room and closet in your house: Seriously get out your handy-dandy note-book and make a list. For example: M's room, C's room boys bathroom, laundry room, hall closet, linen closet... etc. This list gives you a better idea of the number of places you need to focus on individually. Really break it down so you can check rooms off your list and feel triumphant! Yes, before you ask, I am absolutely one of those people who writes things on my to do list that I have already completed, just so I can cross them off. :)
Rewrite or number your list in the order of rooms that can be completely packed first: The idea is, if you can wrap each room one at a time, you can close that door and not reenter that room until you are on your final walk through. This is especially helpful if you are still living in the home. When I start actually packing boxes I will start with my craft room, then the upstairs bathroom, then the media room up stairs, and so on. If I have time I will purge a little, toss trash or donate/sell items that someone else can use. Once packed, clean windows and sills, then vacuum. Shut that door and no one is allowed in that area from this point forward.
Clear out a space for your packed and ready boxes: One of the most helpful things I have ever done when packing is having a spot to stack the sealed boxes. The garage is a good place, if that's not an option, a corner of the house some where, maybe even the first room packed on your list. Moving the boxes out of the way and clearing your space gives you a better idea of whats left. It also helps you to see the progress so far. Nothing helps me stay inspired or encouraged more than having visual confirmation of my hard work.
After you have a plan in place start collecting boxes: You will need all kinds of boxes. Different sizes, thicknesses and levels of sturdiness. Start with the room you can completely pack first and clearly label your boxes with your marker!
Stay motivated and stick to your plan: Your plan is there to help you not only pack up quickly and efficiently, but to make the moving process and unpacking easier as well. If you pack, seal and label boxes as you go, when your friends help you unload the truck, they will know what room to stack your boxes in. If all the "craft room" boxes are in the craft room, unpacking will be a breeze!
No matter the number of times you have moved, packing is HARD. You always start out with good intentions and end up scrambling around trying to make sure you get everything you missed.
I always pack the kitchen last, because I don't want to live like I'm camping in my house. Also, I always pack the glass plates or china last. Since I place all the boxes out in the garage, I don't want my beautiful wedding china on the bottom of the stack out in the garage to be broken. I will pack all of my super fragile stuff the very last day and place them in my car. I don't always have newspaper, but I always have towels! Packing breakables in towels is efficient and free!
Good luck on your adventures in moving!
A few helpful links:
Sharpie Markers!! (Best Markers Ever)
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