Moving is a stressful process for pretty much everyone, but there is a lot to be excited about too. There are two main parts to the moving process: first, the packing, and second, the actual move-in day. Here are my tips to make moving easier and a little more mindful.
Step #1: Tips Before You’ve Made the Move: Purge to Pack
As soon as you meet with your realtor, schedule your first decluttering session. These two processes work hand-in-hand and complement each other perfectly. Getting both into your calendar right away will set you up for success on this first part of your move.
If you’re wondering when to schedule, pick a time of the day when you tend to feel the most energetic. You can start with twenty minutes, or two hours, depending on how you feel.
Would it feel good to just get the ball rolling, so you’re more motivated to schedule your next session, or would you feel better about seeing a larger amount of progress by blocking out a big chunk of time?
If you’re new to the decluttering process, it’s probably best to work a little bit every day so that you stay consistent, building your confidence little by little each day.
Before you get started, make sure you have what you need. Nothing fancy, just some contractor bags and cardboard boxes to fill with objects that you no longer want to keep. As you work, you can set up stations to donate, sell, trash, and keep. Having the proper stations will help those items actually make it to their destinations instead of staying in piles in your home.
You can also get yourself prepped. Put on comfortable clothing that you’re prepared to be moving around in (I like yoga pants), grab a water bottle, and turn on an energizing (or calming) playlist. It may be helpful to set an intention or affirmation for your decluttering session. For example, “It will feel good to do this for myself,” or “I make decisions that my future self will thank me for.”
When it’s time to actually get started, and you feel like you want to get the momentum going, you can start small with drawers, cabinets, and closets, and then eventually work your way up to whole rooms or categories (like papers, sentimental items, clothing, etc…).
Others of you may prefer starting with a bang and go from bigger spaces all the way to the crevices.
Step #2: The Big Day: Move-in
It’s easy to get so entrenched in the moving process that you may forget to take care of yourself. However, if you make sure to eat and stay hydrated, and try your best to start and end your day as regularly as you can, you’ll be more likely to have a clear head.
One simple way to do this is to make sure to pack an overnight bag! Include your favorite essentials, like an outfit that makes you feel good, nourishing skincare, vitamins, or anything else you use for daily self-care.
As soon as you get to your new home, set up your bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. You are going to be hungry and tired at the end of your move-in day, so it will be nice to be prepared with a cozy, made-up bed to fall into.
Start simply by placing categorized boxes where you will use the contents.
Spices, pots, and pans near the stove.
Bakeware near the oven.
Drinking glasses near the sink, etc…
There’s no need to worry about getting everything exact right away. Once you start unpacking your boxes, you can adjust specific placements as you go.
Because you’re in an unfamiliar environment, you’ll also probably run into some situations where you’re missing things you need. As soon as you realize something you need to buy, add it to a running list. I like having a magnetic notepad with a pen I can put on the fridge.
Your shopping list may look like this:
gold hook for your robe in the closet
6 large food bins for the pantry
cleaning products for extra bathrooms, etc…
It’s okay to be exhausted during and after this process, but it’s also okay to celebrate the way you tried your best and stumbled through it. Moving is one of the most stressful tasks for individuals and families, but you can bring the anxiety down a notch by being prepared.
Bring it down several notches by hiring a professional to help you declutter and to help you set up your new home! Either way, I’ll be cheering you on!