Packing up your house for moving can be an intimidating and emotional process, but if you do it the right way, it doesn’t have to be as bad as it seems. A little preparation and organization will go a long way in making your move easier for you.

Preparation
The first step in preparing to move is to get rid of everything you no longer need or don’t serve you. Go through your house from top to bottom and reserve your old items for a garage sale, donations or throw them away. As tedious and difficult as this process can be, it should be done before you pack so you’re not just moving your old clutter into your new home. After getting rid of the things you don’t need or want, you can see what you have to move more easily and plan your packing accordingly.

Next, you’ll want to make a list of everything else you need to do to prepare for your move. Put things like getting boxes, washing linens, and pricing moving companies and/or rental trucks on this list. You still have to deal with the day to day, so write down EVERYTHING related to your move. Check off items as you complete them and write down any notes you may have.

packaging
There are a few things to remember to make packing and moving things easier for you later.

o Pack heavy things in smaller boxes. Things like books and bedding will be much easier to move in smaller increments.
o Use your towels and cushions to protect more fragile or oddly shaped items.
o Label ALL. Label it with what it is and where it goes. Color coding labels according to the rooms they belong to is a good idea. Definitely label the item FRAGILE if it is fragile.
o Have a designated box or drawer to store your essentials. You may not feel like doing a lot of unpacking your first night in your new home, so put everything you absolutely need in your bag. Coffee, a pot of coffee, sugar, some food and snacks, a first aid kit and some cutlery would be appropriate, the rest of what you put in there depends on your specific needs.
o Be sure to pack heavy items on the bottom and lighter items on top, so nothing breaks and no one gets hurt.
o Decide whether you will move the boxes you are packing yourself or hire a moving company.
or Ask for help! This can include friends, neighbors, or even friends of neighbors. Give them food and drink for helping.
o Keep a list of the number of boxes and any special items you may have. This will come in handy when calling moving companies or trying to rent a truck. You will get a more accurate quote if you know what you are dealing with.
o ALWAYS remember to lift with your legs and not your back. Your back should remain straight as you lift. Failing to do this greatly increases your chance of injury.

Moving is an incredibly complicated and exhausting task. Packing for the move is the most physically demanding part of this process. As long as you prepare and stay organized, you can make it a manageable and efficient process. You’ll be settled into your new place before you know it!