Packing Up and Moving Out (Part 1)

Since I'm currently suffering through the ordeal of packing everything to move and it's a fairly common occurrence (or so I'm told), I thought I might share some tips for getting things done when moving.  As always, organization is key to minimizing stress and maximizing efficiency.  Moving is one project you don't want to try doing in one night.

Plan Your Attack

There are two types of tasks associated with moving.  The first type is contacting people and services about your move.  It's a list that mostly has to be completed during business hours.  The second type is packing your things.  It can be completed on your own schedule.  I suggest you make two master lists.

The "People and Services" List

Your "People and Services" list will likely include the following:

1. If renting, give notice to landlord (often requires 30 days)
2. Schedule address change with post office
3. Schedule deactivation and activation of all utilities (list all utilities that need to be contacted)
4. Change address for periodicals and other regular deliveries (list all companies that need to be contacted)
5. Schedule vehicles for transporting possessions (if needed)
6. Find people to help with loading and unloading (if needed)
7. Update address for all online profiles (may be done after move)
8. Inform friends and family of new address (may be done after move)

Your "Packing" List

Making your packing list is often more complicated, partially because the idea is so overwhelming.  Also, if you write "pack clothes" on your list, you may have to consider multiple areas of your home and define what you mean by "clothes".  "Pack clothes" may be a bigger task than you realized.  A short list is not likely to be as helpful as a long and detailed list.  Here is my suggested strategy for writing your packing list:

1.  Write your list one room at a time.  Go into the room and write your list as you walk around.
2.  List items to pack, separating by area.  For example, if you have clothes in your closet, your dresser, in a pile on a chair and in the hamper, these will be four entries on your list because you will have to organize four different areas.
3.  Within an area, list items to pack, separating by category.  For example, the items on the top of your dresser are usually not clothes so there will be two entries for packing your dresser (one for clothes and one for the items on top) because these are two different categories of item and you probably wouldn't pack them together.
4. Next to each item, estimate how many boxes you will need to complete the task.

With lists in hand, there's less reason to fret over what you might forget to do or pack.  Moving can be an overwhelming project, but procrastinating won't help.  Use your list, focus on one task at a time and check items off as you go.  Think of it as just anoter big project to tackle, one bite at a time.