On the Move

I thought I was a pro-mover. Having moved every two years growing up {and sometimes on only three weeks notice} taught me the importance of throwing things away before the movers pack trash in a box, and organizing things to be packed in the way you want them to be unpacked. But see here's the thing: we had movers. While I did move three times by myself in college with friends' help, and moved last year with my family's help, moving all by yourself is a totally different experience. I keep looking around with no idea where or how to start, especially since I've spent maybe five whole minutes in my new house. Last year I spent time in the apartment, looking at the floor plan, and plotting where everything was going to go. This time around, I'm not totally sure my kitchen table will fit in my kitchen.

I know I've already committed some cardinal moving 'sins.' I wrapped fragile kitchen pieces in newspaper {I was being stubborn, okay? Determined to make the newspaper work. And yes, I realize my hands and my glasses are now black}. I packed a whole bookcase in one box. Whatever, I'll carry it.

But I have learned a few useful tips that I'd like to share and hopefully make some other single person's life a lot easier in the future:

• Take out the Trash: Every time I start packing, I throw stuff away. It's my goal to throw out a whole bag of trash after each packing session. This is hard for someone who wants to hold on to every note, coupon, sauce packet, etc. Maybe I am a hoarder...
• Little box carries a lot: My new box packing mantra. I took all of the boxes that yearbooks came in from school to pack the majority of my things for this move. I figured if they carried heavy yearbooks, they could carry my stuff. These boxes are wider and much more shallow than your traditional moving box, so it forces me to pack less which lends to more boxes but a lot easier time hauling them down a flight of stairs and across a parking lot. Another box favorite? Chick-fil-a fry boxes. Probably the sturdiest boxes I've ever run across. Call before lunch and have them hold their lunchtime boxes for you to pick up after 2 p.m. You'll get a ton. 
• Mix and Match: Fill your china boxes with dish towels. Your book boxes with small blankets. Your suitcases with hangers on top of the giant stack of clothes. My somewhat OCD brain wants everything to be organized and orderly, but mixing allows you to save packing filler materials, and also prevents over packing too many heavy items {see bookcase box above}.
• Pack what you want First, Last: We're loading the trailer Saturday morning and driving to the new house four hours away. I know I'll be exhausted. So I'll need my bed, linens and pillows, and bathroom things first. Pack everything first and make sure all bed and bath items are easily accessible. After dragging in the mattress, you'll probably have just enough energy to hang the shower curtain, brush your teeth, and sleep on top of the mattress with just a sheet...and not the fitted one. 
• Clean out the Kitchen: Do Not take old food to the new house! Even if its just a box of brownie mix. Moving is a great time to clear out and start over with a fresh, new outlook on life. 
• Organize You: For me, this means my personal files. All of my copies of bills and receipts from the past year need to be filed. My new lease needs to go in place of my old. I need to print out all of my references about transfers from my email {mail, power, etc.}, that way in case anything goes wrong or isn't turned on, or is lost, YOU have reference of what was supposed to happen at your finger tips in your personal file folder. 

What are some of your best #movingtips?