Packing is one of the
most stressful parts of moving because it involves trying
to stay organized while going through every single one of your
possessions item by item. And for those of us with a decidedly
large amount of possessions, keeping everything organized becomes
even more complicated.
If you're
moving out of your apartment in the near future, there are
ways to make packing easier so it doesn't overwhelm you. Here are
some tips for creating a packing plan that will keep you
organized:
Mark Your Calendar
As soon as you find out your application has been accepted,
settle on a moving date and mark it in your calendar. This will
allow you to physically see how much time you have to plan, and it
will make scheduling your packing a lot easier.
Go through the calendar day-by-day until your moving date and
plan
specific packing projects for each day. If either of your
apartment buildings (the one you currently live in and the one
you're moving to) require you to schedule moves ahead of time, make
sure you set that up as soon as you can to get the date that works
best for you.
Start Early
Once you have the
moving date set up, get an early start on some of the
preliminary packing projects, like decluttering and researching
movers (if you're using them). The earlier you start preparing to
pack, the less stressed you'll be in the days ahead of your move,
so work now in order to relax later.
Declutter and Donate
Before even picking up a moving box, go room by room and decide
what you're going to save and
get rid of. You don't want to do this while you're packing,
because doing both at the same time can be pretty overwhelming.
Sort through everything in each room and start getting rid
of anything you don't use. If the item is broken, stained or
otherwise unusable, simply toss it. If it's in good condition but
you haven't used it in several months, put it in a donation pile. A
good rule to keep in mind: If you didn't even remember you had the
item until you found it, put it in the donation box - you don't
need it.
Create a Packing List
No, you don't have to make a
complete packing list for all of your belongings, but it's
a good idea to make a priority list of all the items you use most.
That way, you can keep all of those items together and easily find
them once you're at the new apartment.
Also consider making a list of everything you'll need right away
at the new place, like essential bathroom supplies, bed sheets and
some kitchen utensils. You can pack those items together in one box
so you'll immediately have everything you need when you get
there.
Stay Organized
Come up with a plan for identifying what items you're packing in
each box. Many people list every item in marker on the sides of the
box, but do whatever you find easiest.
Some professional movers suggest taking pictures of all of the
items that are going in each box. If you take the photos on your
phone, you'll be able to scroll through your gallery and quickly
find whatever you're looking for there first.
Pack for the New Place
Many people
pack room by room, but that strategy may not make sense
when it comes time to unpack at your new place, depending on how
different the setup is there. Make a list of the rooms you'll
have at your new apartment, and organize your belongings that way
to make the unpacking process that much easier.