Successfully (and Sanely) Preparing For a Move

Many who are moving have been in their homes for many, many years. Typically this means that they have acquired a lot of things. If I’ve observed anything from owning my own home it’s this: We hang on to useless items IF we have the space to store them. Why is this? Because then we don’t have to make decisions and process the hard choices. (It’s really not necessary to find the tattered coffee table book a good home.) We succumb to fear. (Wow, that’s a strong statement.) Let me explain by stating some of the more common fears:   

• I may need it again
• I’ll offend the person who gave it to me
• It may be valuable . . . someday
• Maybe my children will want it when they’re grown
• I got such a good deal on it

Trying to process through these fears can cause overwhelming feelings, which leads to avoidance and getting stuck.

Few occasions bring on a purge like a move. It provides a natural opportunity to assess our belongings and deal with our fears. Many are downsizing to a simpler lifestyle, which requires living in a smaller space with less “stuff.” We must process through our own belongings and potentially other family members’ belongings. Trust me, you don’t want to box up that volleyball set you haven’t used in five years. But you are tempted to do just that because then you don’t have to make a decision. 

Getting Unstuck: How to Prepare for a Smooth Transition
Moving is an overwhelming task, even if you consider yourself an organized person.  If you take a little time to plan what lies ahead, you’ll be more prepared and less stressed through the process.

Here are recommendations to help you prepare:

1. Find a Realtor you can trust. Realtors can help you navigate the waters. They have a specific skill set and resources to guide you. They have resource lists and information to help the process go as smoothly as possible. Getting a trustworthy realtor can be key. Rely on them before, during, and after you move to get connected with various services like moving companies, reliable handymen in the area, area discount stores, plumbers, etc.
2. Stage your home. After living in your home, you are no longer objective as to how others experience your home when entering it for the first time. It is important to step back and see your home with fresh eyes. Remember, sometimes a comfortable home is not the same as strategically planned décor to draw buyers.
3. Create a plan. There are many different steps involved in the buying, selling, and moving process. Actually, moving furniture is the easiest part! You need to get organized regarding the financing, paperwork, packing, purging, donating or selling, and home repairs. A plan detailing what needs to be accomplished and when will be invaluable. Make sure you factor in dependencies as well. By dependencies I mean, a task that is dependent on another task being complete (e.g. you can’t donate items until they are evaluated and boxed up).
4. Decide your METHOD to assess all of the “stuff.” This is key. 99% of us will need to get rid of things when we move. (I just made up that percentage but it seems right.) The reality is we’re busy living life; we’re not constantly evaluating and purging as we go, so we have excess. We haven’t crawled up in the attic and asked ourselves reflective questions about grandpa’s old tennis racquet. Your plan (as mentioned in step #3) should include time to review each space in your home. Yes, this will take some time. Accept that, and decide which method you will use: You can 1) Toss/donate as you pack, or 2) Make a schedule of your entire home, spend time in each space, and decide what to keep before you pack (yes this includes closets and under the bed). Either way you should set aside the time to complete this important step. Don’t skip this! Completing this activity will save you time and money, so it has tangible value. 

Tackling the Process of Packing 

It will also let you spend the time to correctly assess your items before the chaos of packing begins. During the packing process, you will likely come across additional items. And that’s okay. 

1. Pack the least used items first. If you have a spare bedroom, items in the garage, closet storage, china cabinets, etc. start with these infrequently used belongings.
2. ​Label boxes clearly. Label the room the box will be unpacked in (not necessarily where they’re coming from). Mark boxes “fragile” for glassware, china, kitchen appliances, etc. Err on the side of indicating fragile when in doubt. It doesn’t hurt if movers are “too careful.”
3. Get help. Determine how much you value your sanity. Ask yourself, “What is my time worth?” There are many tasks taking your attention, so you need to be ruthless about how to prioritize. Sure, you can complete many tasks, but do you have the time? Your time is associated with a dollar value, although it isn’t always clear what that amount is. The more tasks we have to complete, the less time we have; thus, our time becomes more valuable. If you want to assess the dollar amount you give to your time, check this out. If you would benefit from a team, consider hiring the following professions: Handyman, Mover, Professional Organizer, or Stager.   
4. Maintain perspective. Most things that go wrong in a move can be worked out eventually. Try not to sweat the small stuff. It’s all small stuff. Adopt an attitude of patience and gentleness (with yourself and others) and it will all work out.