No one has ever wished they had an excuse to pack up everything they own in boxes and haul them across town, the state or even the country… No One!
Moving can be stressful… Trust me I know! We are currently moving out of our first home and into our (hopefully) forever home! While we are excited to be taking this next step in our family journey, the process is less than appealing. Between a lazy loan officer, an unresponsive appraiser and impatient sellers, getting into our new house has been one frustration after another.
The process is rarely painless but moving doesn’t have to be a disaster that causes you to rip your hair out. Focus on what you CAN control and hope for the best with the rest.
Here are my top 10 suggestions for making your move as enjoyable as possible!
- Start Early!
It can sometimes be difficult to get started but don’t procrastinate! Start packing as soon as you decide to move. Even if you don’t know where you are going yet or when you have to leave. Start with the things you definitely won’t need, family heirlooms, décor items, ect. The longer you wait, the more stressful it will be to rush at the end. - Make Lists!
I know not everyone loves lists as much as I do, but trust me this is the time to start! Some key lists to have are; Daily needs list, pack last list, two weeks prior list. These lists will help to remind you what NOT to pack so you don’t have to dig through boxes to find things you packed too soon. - Beg For Boxes!
You can buy boxes at any home improvement store… But should you? If you work in an office talk to the IT department and the person who orders supplies first. You can also ask your local grocery store for boxes. Don’t forget to ask any friends and family members that have moved recently for any discarded boxes they may have lying around. These boxes will just be recycled if you don’t grab ’em up! Most places are happy to give them away so don’t be afraid to ask! - Go Room By Room!
Most people will tell you to start with the kitchen but I prefer to start with the least used room. I started with the guest room first and moved into our home office next. I packed as much as I reasonably could from each room before moving on to the next. Before you know it half of your house will be packed, with time to spare! - Make A “Do Not Keep” Pile!
What happens to this pile is entirely up to you but its inevitable that you will find things you don’t want or need as you pack. Don’t transfer clutter from one house to the next. If you had forgotten you had it, and never missed it, get rid of it! Make a pile for these things and donate them to the needy or pack them together in their own boxes to include in a garage sale at your new house! - Label, Label, Label!
Of course you have to label your boxes but as someone from a family that shares and reuses boxes from household to household, let me tell you writing on the actual box is not the best plan! Eventually it will be impossible to determine which label is the current label… Instead use a post it or any 5X5 note pad paper to write your label and then tape over it with packing tape as you seal your box. Also label inside the box! Label charges, electrical cords, and hardware removed from other items so you can easily figure out what goes where. Also don’t forget to label the sides of the boxes as well as the top! Once boxes are stacked on top of each other that top label won’t be much help… - Don’t Pack It Too Heavy!
It seems efficient to pack all like things in one box but it’s anti-productive to pack boxes so full of heavy dishes that you can’t lift it. Instead pack a box half full of heavy items and fill the rest with towels, sheets or clothes. Your back will thank you! - Invite Friends and Family!
This one we learned the hard way… Don’t wait until the week before your moving date to ask people to help you move. If you decide not to hire professional movers be sure to give your friends and family plenty of warning. The typical fee expected for helping you move will be pizza and beer but it can also be a lot more fun to make a party out of moving with people you like than some moving company employees you don’t know… - Give Your Service Providers A Heads Up!
Of course you will need to call your cable, internet and utility providers to cancel current services and provide your forwarding address. Don’t forget to also forward your mail through the post office and inform all other companies billing you (car payments, credit cards, insurance company, ect). You should also make one last appointment to see your doctor and your dentist. At this appointment inform them of your move and sign a release waiver to have your medical records transferred to your new doctor and dentist. If you haven’t found a new provider yet, ask for any references they may know of in your new area. - Don’t Forget Your Pets!
Moving is hard and stressful for you but don’t forget that your pets have it even worse. They can sense your stress and they can tell things are changing but they don’t understand what’s happening or why. If possible take your pets to a friends house for a play date on moving day to keep them out of they way and occupied. When you bring them to their new home, give them time and space to adjust without pressuring them to move too quickly.
Don’t forget to have fun! You are moving on to your next exciting adventure, start it with a positive attitude! Don’t sweat the small stuff and avoid the big issues with a little planning. My husband and I are so excited to be starting this next chapter of our life and I can’t wait to share it all with you!
Fortner Thoughts 
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