Packing and Unpacking
How to De-Stress the Moving Experience

Moving and Unpacking hold a special place in my business.  I always tell my clients that I LOVE helping with these jobs.  Which is followed by their, "You have to be kidding!".  But it's completely true!  This is the one time that you truly have to touch everything in your home.  It gives you the ability to see what is in your space and make the decision if the item belongs in your new space.  Right now I have a few clients that have moved or are in the process of moving and watching this come together for them is an amazing experience.  I wanted to give out some basic tips as I know how hard this experience can be.  This does involve some work, but the outcome will be worth it!  Not only will you have less stress brought to your new home, but it will save you money and time as well.   I am always here to answer questions, or help with this amazing life changing event! 



How to Start Packing:
First: Set goals for your new home.  Decided what you have always wanted to change in your old space and what you need to do in order to change it.  For example; having a system in your office that helps with paperwork or  having a more organized closet space. 

Second: Purge, Purge, Purge.  Once goals are known; pack with the goals in mind.  If you have moved without doing this, then unpack with this goal in mind.  This means cleaning out the file cabinet of old papers, the unworn clothes that you have always meant to donate, and the broken holiday decorations.  Every area in your old house should be packed with your new goals in mind!  

Third: Pack items that are not needed first, and continue until you are left with the basic necesities.  The week or so before your move, you should treat your old house like a hotel - a suitcase for clothes, main staples for food, etc. 

Tips to Pack by:
First: Pack up one room at a time.  Focus on the larger items that will help you feel as if you are making progress.  Once you have packed up all you can in the room (as you are still using the items left), build and label boxes for what is left.  This way you will have everything ready to go for your final sweep. 

Second: Sort in boxes.  I always like having multiple boxes taped up so I can sort as I pack.  If I am starting with the kids room and I come across items that do not belong in that area, then they go into the empty boxes with the correct room's name on them.  (Clothes would go into Master Bedroom, Paperwork would go into Office, Etc.) Remember at this stage you are still purging!  If you have 12 boxes of kids toys, and your goals were to have a easier to clean toy room, then cut the amount of toys being packed by half.  

Third:  Label the boxes exactly.  Do not just put: Master Bath, Master Bedroom, Kids Toys, Etc.  Boxes should be labeled with more detail on at least one spot on the box.  Clothes should be labeled as sweaters, short sleeve shirts, skirts, work clothes, and so forth.  This way when you go to unpack you know exactly what is in each box.  

Packing Key to Remember:
This is not an overnight project.  Many parts of your house will take you longer then you planned for.  For instance when packing the pantry you should make time to throw away all the expired food, donate all the food that you have that you really don't use, and then pack the rest of the food by type (cans with cans, spices with spices).  Plan to work a couple hours a night or set smaller weekly goals.  This will keep you from stressing the last week before the move.  If this undertaking is still causing you anxiety and stress or you are overwhelmed, then hiring an organizer can help you with this process. Remember:  If you pack/unpack with your goals in mind, then your new space will be the home you always wanted!