It feels odd to be settled in one place. For the first dozen years of our relationship, my husband and I chose to relocate often. We took the approach that opportunity exists everywhere, and that it was best to cast a wide net.

Moving to a new city or town wasn’t an obstacle; it was an adventure. From Concord, MA to Cape Town, South Africa to Baltimore, MD, we ended up moving a dozen times. We’d move for graduate school, work, and to be near family. We had our three children along the way.

Moving became just another life process – a step-by-step progression forwards. Therefore, I’m an advocate for thoughtfully preparing for a move. The time and effort will pay off: you’ll know exactly what you own and whether it’s worth taking along.

Step 1:

You’ve heard it before…start early with decluttering. The less you take with you, the less expensive the move will be. It will cost less in terms of materials, labor, and time spent. It’s irrelevant whether your employer is paying for the move or whether you’re paying out of pocket. Having the bill covered by your employer isn’t unwritten “permission” for you to take clutter along.

Also, your time is valuable. When you consider the number of minutes it takes to pack, unpack, and put away all that you own, moving is an expensive use of your time.

Decluttering – deciding what to keep, toss, or donate – before you move couples this time expense with a purpose.

• Start as far in advance of the move as you have available.

• Work one room at a time.

• Designate a central landing area for all the items that aren’t going to make the move.

• Schedule a donation pickup within a week of your move.

• Go through every drawer, closet, cabinet, and bookshelf. Don’t forget the attic, basement, and garage.

• Save memorabilia for last due to the time it takes to make more emotion-laden decisions.

Ask yourself: 

·      Have I used this item this past year?

·      How does it bring joy or practical use into my life?

·      Is it worth the time to pack it and the cost to move it?

·      Would it be less expensive to repurchase it (if needed) upon arrival?

·      Will I want to take time to find it a new home in my new house?

Don’t underestimate the power of questioning what you own. Many of the objects in our home we own mindlessly; you’re not alone in doing so. You bought the item for a reason at one point, but if you don’t love it or don’t use it, why schlep it to your new living arrangements? The item is an unseen burden weighing you down.

In his excellent book on downsizing, Let it Go: Downsizing Your Way to a Richer, Happier Life, New York Times bestselling author Peter Walsh describes this unseen burden as the “material convoy” that we all carry with us as we move through life. When you’re preparing to move, it’s best to imagine how one day, all the items you own will need to be disposed of. This is a great moment to let go of unwanted excess. Delaying your decision making until another time will cost time and money.

Note: If you have hives or anxiety just thinking about decluttering before moving, it’s a sign that you need to set aside time for the process. Invest in a NAPO qualified professional organizer to get you started. A professional organizer will ease the stress of the move and save you money and time by working through your belongings in an efficient, non-judgmental way.

Step 2:

As soon as you have access to your new home, take a few moments to document the floor plan. Take photographs of all four views of each room: from the doorway inwards, towards the doorway, and corner to corner inside. Capture the significant features such as the placement of windows and electrical outlets, and whether there are any odd obstructions along the walls. Take a look inside the pantry, bathrooms, and other closets as well. 

Grab a few pieces of paper and draw a basic rectangle of the room. Mark where the windows, doors, and outlets/obstructions are.

Use a measuring tape to measure the following:

·      The width of the doorways

·      The length of each wall in the room

·      The height + width the windows and built-in shelves 

·      The dimensions of closets + storage spaces

The goal is to draw a floor plan that approximates the new home. If you don’t have direct access to the property, ask your realtor or landlord to send you the specifications.

Knowing the layout of your new home lets you plan what items to put on the moving truck. What’s the point of moving a sectional sofa that can’t fit up the stairs or through the doorway? Save yourself the headache by deciding in advance to sell or donate items that won’t work in your new place.

Moving is a fresh start. It’s a way to update and redesign your lifestyle. With your floor plan and photos, you can begin to imagine how you’ll place your furniture. You can think about whether all the kids’ gear will store properly in the closets, or whether the items they no longer use could be passed along to a local foster charity.

Do not – under any circumstances – consider getting a storage unit. Paying to hold onto items that you’re not accessing and not using regularly is money down the drain. If you don’t need them today, you’ll find a way to repurchase needed items in the future.

Step 3:

Give yourself permission to take less. When packing, place like items – those with similar function and purpose – together in the moving box. You may set up your new home differently than your last, and by having like items together, you’ll be in a better position to decide what makes sense when you arrive.

Don’t be in a rush to fill every space or every drawer in your new home. This automatically limits your future growth and purchases you may make when you arrive. A bit of emptiness not only gives breathing room, but gives you space to rearrange what you own to ensure the best fit.

If there’s room in your budget after the move, use clear containers and drawer organizers when setting up your new spaces. This will create a sense of uniformity and cohesion. 

I understand the natural pressures and stresses that arise the moment “moving” is mentioned. Reframe it less as a burden of time, energy, and resources, and more as an open door to a new lifestyle.

Select items that you love and treasure to take with you. Lighten your emotional load by leaving objects that are stale, out of fashion, and no longer of use behind. There’s no real justification for packing and moving items that hold negative emotion. You’re in charge of your life and your home environment, so choose to make it a supportive, rejuvenating space for you and yours.

Hoping to download a quick preparation guide? Here’s a summary of steps.