Stress-Free Moving: Organising Your Move in Just 2 Days
Moving is undeniably one of the most stress-inducing events in our lives, especially when clutter is involved. Between 2014 and 2019 I had the ‘pleasure’ of moving house four times!
No matter how organised you try to be the pressure of a looming deadline and the need to manage the physical and temporal aspects of relocating can be overwhelming. However, with a strategic plan and a dedicated team, it's possible to streamline the process, even if you only have 2 days to pack. In this blog post, we'll explore practical tips on how to efficiently organise a move, ensuring a smooth transition to your new abode.
Organising your Move - Create a Plan of Attack
Before diving into the chaos of packing, it's essential to have a well-thought-out plan. See if you can get a team of people to help you pack 4-6 people are ideal. Allocate specific areas or rooms to each person involved in the move. For instance, in an average 4-bedroom house, four individuals can efficiently pack up the entire space in 6-8 hours.
Have enough resources
Ensure there are:
An ample number of boxes, often you can bring the ones you didn’t use back and you’ll get your money back
Along with essential supplies like:
Tape with a tape dispenser (for an average house you can easily use 3)
Coloured tape to indicate certain groupings
Markers one or two for each person helping you
Wrapping paper
Bubble wrap for delicate items
A ‘runner’ on the day for coffee, food and back and forth movements
Use colour tape when organising your move
With the markers and tape maybe, you want to have different colours for different rooms or you can place things in order of priority. Green you’ll need as soon as you enter the house, orange soon after, red and white tape can indicate that there is no rush to unpack.
Look after the troops!
It can be a real act of kindness to help someone move, if you are the one that is moving, make sure you stay hydrated and fed. Get some take-away for lunch and dinner, do a coffee run to keep your spirits and blood sugar levels high.
Last-Minute Packing Strategies when organising your move
When time is of the essence, focus on the essentials. Prioritise packing everything in boxes, deferring the decluttering process to later stages. This approach allows for a quick and efficient packing process, and you can rely on an overnight bag for immediate necessities, leaving the rest to be sorted later. The coloured tape idea can come in handy here.
Like this post?
You’ll love the book “Organising Unpacked”.
Strategic Decluttering when organising your move over a period of time
If circumstances permit, take advantage of the opportunity to declutter before the move. Begin with items that are rarely used, such as books, videos, or out-of-season clothing. As you declutter, place the items you wish to keep in designated boxes and wrap them up securely. While this may create a temporary state of living amidst boxes, it significantly streamlines the moving process, requiring the assistance of only 1 or 2 people, as opposed to a larger team.
Unpacking with Excitement
Unpacking is the exciting part of the moving process. Much like unwrapping a present, each box holds the anticipation of discovering its contents. Embrace this part of the journey, open each box, and gradually set up your new living space. Take your time to enjoy the process and revel in the familiarity of your belongings finding their place in your new home.
In the whirlwind of a two-day move, organisation and strategy are your best allies. By developing a plan of attack, making strategic packing decisions, and, if possible, decluttering beforehand, you can turn a potentially stressful experience into a manageable and even enjoyable one. Remember, the key is to stay organised, enlist the help of willing hands, and approach the unpacking process with a sense of excitement and anticipation for the new chapter ahead. Happy moving!
