Moving Day

Yesterday I assisted my husband and his business partner with an office move.  Moving is at the top of my least favorite things to do list.  Needless to say, I was not looking forward to the process.  However, yesterday was not so bad because there were four of us working and everything that we were moving was relatively small.  It was enough to throw like items in boxes to be sorted and organized at the new location. 

If you find yourself faced with a move, whether a simple office move or a major move across the country you can utilize this simple guide, expanding or simplifying the steps as needed.

Start Early
I mean early.  Start before it even seems reasonable. You will thank yourself over and over again as the day of the move approaches.

Calendar it
Write your moving day on the calendar and back out the completion date of each of your moving tasks.  Set dates to finish planning the move, collection of packing materials, pre-packing decluttering, the packing of each room, creation of your packing list and arranging the donation of unwanted items.

Break it down
The organizer’s mantra appears again!   Break each task and the packing of each room into smaller pieces.  Use a timer set for 30 minutes at a time with 5 to 10 minute breaks in between to manage work sessions.  Work from left to right through the room.  Play fun music. Very loud.

Work the process
Declutter first.  Moving from left to right through the room, look through everything and pull items that are ready for the trash or donation.  Then begin packing boxes remembering not to over do it with heavy items! 

The packing list
I have known people who have created packing lists and box labeling systems so complex that they rivaled war games strategy.  I have also experienced a move like yesterday where tossing like items into a box was all that was needed to stay on top of the contents.  As an organizer this is where I recommend you stay flexible and work within the parameters of your own mind.  The most important thing is that you can find and access key items upon arrival to your new location – like clothing to wear and everyday kitchen items. You can list every single item in each box or list general contents and the corresponding box label information.

Box Labeling
Your labeling works in tandem with your packing list to help place boxes in the correct location at your new home or office and to help you find items quickly.  Well-labeled boxes help speed the unpacking process.

Moving day system
On the day of the move, have a system in mind for the loading and unloading process.  Whether you are using movers, friend labor, or you are doing it all yourself, utilize a simple system for attacking the load out/load in process.  Move from room to room, loading all items from each room together if possible.  Create a simple checklist for yourself to accompany your system and you will avoid last minute problems.

Unpacking
Pull out that timer and get the music cranking to get yourself moving swiftly through this process.  The worst is over and now it is time to create your great new space!

Using a simple system and starting early will help your next move go from dreaded chaos to a smooth and manageable event!