Whether you are moving in or moving out, the toughest part may be packing. Here are a few tips to make the process easier or even, dare I say, "fun"?
1) Two Birds with One Stone for Sellers
If you are selling, you are going to stage your house to get top dollar anyway. That means all personal and valuable items will be out of sight and only a minimum of furnishings and decor will remain. If you sort and pack at this stage, moving day will be much easier and less expensive.
2) No More Than Needed
Disorganization and too much stuff weighs on us, literally and mentally. Now is a great time to decide what you really want to bring with you. If there are clothes that don't fit or you never wear, toys unplayed with, or furnishings that won't fit in the new home, make your life easier by taking care of those items now.
The key now is to commit yourself to decide on each item. Don't kick the can down the road.
Create "Move" , "Sell" , "Better Home" and "Trash" sorting areas. The key now is to commit yourself to decide on each item. Don't kick the can down the road. This can be tough at first, but these concepts can make it easier...
When you think: I can't give this away... I never used it, it cost so much, I might find a use for it in the future. Recognise these are emotional, fear-based responses. If you haven't used it, you are unlikely to. The amount you paid for it changes its emotional value to you, not its real value. Think about why you paid so much and why you don't use it. In answering those questions you will learn something valuable about yourself which will save you time, money and emotion in the future. Then decide whether to sell it or give it to someone who will put it to good use.
Don't think of the items you don't want or need as "failures". They are part of the learning process. Nothing is really a failure, if you learned something from the experience.
Think of the excitement of the person who finds the item at the charity shop. When I put items in the "Better Home" box, I imagine the person who will find it and buy it at the charity shop. "OMG, Eddie Bauer, button fly, size 6 for $4 bucks, I can't believe it!" Those jeans will now be loved, appreciated and used, and the charity of my choice, supported. None-of-which will happen if I throw them in the "Move" pile.
Nothing is really a failure, if you learned something from the experience.
3) Make It Easier
Clear plastic boxes with fold-over lids are great for packing and storage. Write the contents on a half sheet of paper and slip it in the side.
Clear Plastic Boxes with fold-
over lids are great for packing and storage. Write the contents on a half sheet of paper and slip it in the side.
Color Code - print a bunch of names and rooms in bold 200-point and tape them on boxes, slip them in bags; get brightly colored 2" tape and use them to tag boxes
Bag It - clear, large trash bags are great for clothes and linens
4) Make It Enjoyable
listen to music, podcasts or audio books while you pack
play games like MadLibs
5) Don't Over-Do
take regular breaks, try not to go more than 90 minutes at a time
set goals and reward yourselves - "When we finish this room, we'll play a round kickball in the back yard or Mario Kart"
Let everyone have input on what they want to accomplish, how to make it easier or more fun, and what would be enjoyable for breaks and to celebrate accomplishments.