Start with a plan and a timeline.

Moving is stressful. Period. This is one of the universal knowns like death and taxes. Whether we’re downsizing and moving to a warmer climate or going through the transition of divorce or separation, taking some of the emotion and stress out of your move will definitely help, especially with the added anxiety of COVID. The first organizing step is to build out a timeline and start with what you can do right now. Today, sort and purge. Go through every room and decide what you’d like to keep and what you can get rid of. Think also about any items that will require special packing or extra insurance coverage like pianos, electronics, and large exercise equipment. Next, research moving company options. Is a traditional moving company the best option or is a POD a better choice? I urge clients to think not just about the packed truck or POD but also about how it gets packed and unpacked. If you’ll need “labor” for either end of the move, you need to factor that into the pricing and research some options.

Control what you can.

Create a moving binder to keep track of everything related to your move including estimates, receipts, and an inventory of all the items you’re moving. Especially with the restrictions around COVID and limited hours and availability of many businesses, planning is even more crucial. By six weeks out, you should order your moving supplies as well as start using up items in your home (toiletries, pantry items, etc) so you don’t have to move them. Also, if possible, take the measurements of your new space so you can be sure the larger pieces of furniture will fit.

There will be bumps and surprises as you go through the move process. The broken lamp, running out of boxes and tape again, the mini-meltdowns (yours and others’) – these are all to be expected. Stay focused on the end goal which is creating the safe, peaceful space you desire.

This is the first in a series on about organizing your move…