You have a move coming up and you are just about to get started on one of the most boring yet backbreaking jobs of your life.
You are going to be packing up all of your goods, so you can ship them all the way across Canada to your new place in Montreal or Edmonton, or Vancouver.
No one is envious that you are about to get lost in the depths of moving madness. In fact, you have probably had a few pitying stares from friends who mysteriously and suddenly have ill relatives to take care of during your move.
That’s okay. Even if you are the only one who is taking this moving and packing thing seriously, you can make some headway on it when you have the right tips helping you along the way.
You don’t want to haul more with you than is absolutely necessary, right?
Taking items that you no longer need and no longer use would end up being a waste. That is why it is always important to make sure you conduct an inventory of your items first. This is one bit of advice that we often give because it really can make a difference when it comes to having an easier time packing. Not only will it make the move easier, but it can also reduce the cost.
Now, let’s look at some tips that can help you.
Yes, this will take some time, but it will be worth it. Just make sure that you start the process of moving about a month or so before the actual move. This will help to ensure that you won’t have to rush around at the last minute just to get everything packed and ready to go.
As you go through all of your belongings, you will start to notice that there are quite a few things that you do not use or that you do not wear any longer.
We’re not talking about a fall coat that you haven’t worn since last year. We’re talking about the Budweiser Frog shirt from decades ago and your lava lamps from the 90s that have started to decay. If you are like most people, you probably have quite a few things that you have been holding onto for one reason or another that you’ve probably forgotten.
It is time that you got rid of those items. You don’t need them, and they can literally lighten the load when you are moving.
Of course, right now you are thinking, that’s great, but what do I do with all of that junk that I’ve found. We have answers for that too.
You are going to need some lists and potentially some piles. On your lists, and in your piles, you will separate items that you don’t need any longer. There will be items that are still in good shape and that can still be used… just not by you.
With these items, you can choose to sell them or give them away. When you give them away, consider friends who might find them useful, as well as charities.
There will also be a pile that is full of junk.
These are items that are broken and that no longer work, clothing that is ripped beyond repair, and similar items. Now, this is where things get tricky with the brain. There are those of us out there who look at these items like they are still precious treasures that need to be cared for and kept. Don’t let your sentimental mind fool you. You don’t need these items, and they are just taking up space when you are moving.
Let go of these things and you will feel better.
Now that you’ve finally gotten rid of items that you would have hauled along with you, it is time that you start packing properly.
You will want to make sure that you are packing the boxes light enough to be carried without causing someone to have a hernia. It shouldn’t be like picking up Thor’s hammer. It should be doable.
So, pack the boxes light, and make sure that all of the items you have in boxes are properly protected for the move. This means wrapping up dishes and breakable items.
If you have some newspaper or bubble wrap to throw into the box for some extra cushioning, it is a good idea.
When you are packing your boxes, you will want to make sure that you are keeping things organized. This means labeling your boxes properly and keeping like items together.
When you are labeling the boxes, take a few extra minutes with each one to add not only the room that the box belongs to, but the names of the items that are in the box.
This will help to make it far easier to find what you need when it comes time to unpack, or when you realize that you packed away something that you still need currently.
Are you required to be so meticulous with your labeling?
No, the moving police will not come out to find you if you don’t have everything labeled perfectly. However, you will regret not taking an extra couple of minutes when you are scrambling to find a can opener or an extension cord on your first night in the new home.
It really will be worth the time.
You can do a move all on your own if you wanted… but we don’t know why anyone would want to subject themselves to that if they could avoid it.
Instead, you will be better off hiring a professional moving company to help.
You can even use a third party service to help you find several moving companies from which you can choose. This will make it easier for you to find and compare moving estimates from reputable companies.
