By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group
Even if you aren't normally a procrastinator, the sheer scale of moving can leave you overwhelmed. Many people then make this worse by leaving things to the last minute, resulting in increased stress and panic. You may not even know where to start.
So, here are our tips.
Moving is the best time to consider whether you need that ancient (and likely not functional) gaming console, old chairs, etc. Decide what you are not going to move and get it out the door sooner rather than later. This includes things you may have decided to replace, such as that wobbly table.
It's fine to be ruthless, especially if you have items you haven't needed in forever but haven't got rid of because, for example, they're a pain to recycle (such as old CRT TVs). Because you're looking through everything at once, you can minimize the number of trips to the dump or recycling center or Goodwill.
Do you have enough moving boxes? Do you need any specialty boxes, which can be harder to find? Try to work out how many boxes you are going to need so you can get them all in one go. As many people don't have the space to store old moving boxes, it's worth asking around to find out if anyone can give you theirs.
Don't forget about the less obvious things. Do you have permanent markers to label boxes, so you and the professional movers know what room they're going in? Do you have enough tape? The answer to the latter is almost always no. Get more tape than you think you are going to need. Start saving newspaper to wrap things in well before your move.
You can also check with your local moving company to purchase boxes and other packing supplies.
The biggest reason you get overwhelmed is because it is such a huge task. Even breaking it down by room is not good enough. Get it all the way down to simple tasks such as packing your fridge magnets, sorting your old DVDs, and wrapping your valuables.
Then you can do a chunk at a time. If possible, try to multitask so it's not so boring. Wrap while watching TV. Listen to a podcast or an audiobook. Don't assume you need entire uninterrupted days, or you might well procrastinate until it's too late.
Make a list of these chunks so nothing gets forgotten, then check them off. You might even consider rewarding yourself for getting them done. Maybe get some candy and let yourself eat a piece every time you complete an item.
Some people prefer to have the moving company to do all the packing. Even if you can't, though, it can pay to let the professional movers handle things which are particularly fragile or difficult. If you have something which won't fit into a standard box, it can be a lot easier to let them do it, or at least to get their advice on what kind of packing supplies you need.
Don't be afraid to ask for assistance and advice. A good moving company is there to help make sure that your move goes smoothly.
If you're procrastinating about packing, the best thing to do is to break it down into manageable chunks, but you should also make sure that you get rid of the things you don't need, organize yourself and your supplies, and get help with the difficult and/or fragile items.
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