10 Steps to Move Easier

Moving to a new home can be a time of joy - you have finally found the right place - but also a busy and stressful time, in which you have to make many decisions.

In order for everything to go smoothly and to remain calm throughout this complex process, you need something more than pure enthusiasm: you need a list of what is strictly necessary and a moving plan, a kit with essential tools. , boxes and bags and, of course, time and patience to be able to organize properly.

Until you actually settle in and drink your first coffee in peace, you have an almost endless list of things to do, in addition to packing, transporting, unpacking, and organizing everything you take with you to the new space.

Do you plan to move in the next period? Before you start packing, I recommend you do an exercise and imagine how you would like to feel in your new home. The moving process will be easier because, in principle, you will want to take with you only the things that fit in your new story. To make it easier for you, we have prepared a list of 10 steps that will help you simplify, organize and move faster.

10 steps to move easier

1. Start early (at least 2 weeks before) and plan so that you do not get into a time crisis: do not wait until the last moment to sort your things and organize them in boxes or bags. Start early with the ones you don't need at the moment, such as extra-seasonal clothes and shoes, books or hobby equipment, etc. The earlier you start and you are not pressed for time, the better and easier you will make decisions.
2. Sort and pack by category: there is no other way to help you see all the things you have so well than the one in which you gather them all in one place and sort them. Imagine that you unpack and that you don't have to wonder why some of the spoons are mixed with the child's clothes. Always pack similar items.
3. Aim not to pack anything you don't like. That you don't need: if you don't use something now or have never used it, chances are you'll find it useful in the future. Ask yourself if you need it long enough to be worth the effort to pack it, pay for its shipping, and unpack it.
4. Use specialists: if you need to disassemble furniture, washing machine, stove, oven, hob, dishwasher, or central heating, it would be good to use specialists to reduce the risk of damaging something.
5. Transport and moving services: if you work with a company specialized in moving services, you can ask them to take care of packing things into categories, provided you have sorted them before. They can also provide you with the cardboard boxes needed for packaging so that you don't have to make a trip to the DIY store.
6. Consider the weight of the items when you pack them: if you work with a company, check first if it has rules on the weight of the boxes/bags. Even if you are transporting, make sure it is a reasonable weight so that you do not get your back stiff after carrying 5 bags of books. It happened to me and it's not pleasant at all.
7. Donate or sell quality things that are in good condition and that you no longer need or like. Whether you choose to donate them to an NGO, a friend, or a relative, take them to stores that collect used clothes (H&M, Zara, Intimissimi) or sell them on specialized sites, in the Marketplace (Facebook) or in its yards, it is important to organize yourself in advance so that you have enough time for the whole sales process. Even if you choose to sell them online, keep in mind that it will take you quite a while to take pictures, write ads, communicate with potential buyers, and meet with them to hand things over.
8. Tag, tag, tag! If you have packaged by category, you will want to know what is in each box and which room it should reach. Put a label or mark with the marker directly on the box what kind of things are inside (cutlery/glasses) and the room you have to reach (bedroom, living room, dressing room, kitchen, etc.). Although you may think that you will remember easily, keep in mind that you will have a lot to do and it will be quite difficult for you to know what is in a box that says "Miscellaneous".
9. Unpack things with the intention of finding a place where they are visible, easy to access, and maintain. If you find that you have brought things you do not need, part with them without hesitation.
10. Set a deadline to unpack everything. As soon as you put everything in order, you will begin to feel at home.

Don’t rush the moving process, before or after transporting the furniture and other objects. Go through each stage (planning, sorting, packing, transport, unpacking, organizing, and arranging) carefully and patiently and involve the younger members of the family in this process.

In this way, moving to a new home will go smoothly and - very importantly - without too much delay.