How to Prepare for A Move

Moving. It comes with a variety of emotions. For some it can be exciting, while for others, it can be anxiety inducing. I personally tend to find moving exciting. I love change and I see it as a chance to make new friends and experience new things. I also love learning more about wherever I am going so I can prepare myself for my new surroundings. And since I have a bit of experience in moving (this will be my 9th move in 15 years), and I'm going to be moving again soon, I've decided to share my best moving tips. It's always a big change to leave what you're familiar with, but it's really helpful to be prepared for the physical transition. Let's get to it!

1. Don't Freak Out (and Do Your Research)

Freaking out can really hinder the moving process. And I'm not referring to feeling scared of all the upcoming change, or being sad about losing your friends. I'm talking about full on meltdown and not letting yourself hear any information. It stops people from getting through to you and potentially being able to alleviate stress and calm your fears. If you don't freak out, you're already set to make the move go more easily. However, if you do feel yourself freaking out, do your research. Find out more about where you're moving to. Look for restaurants, parks, arcades or whatever you do where you currently live. Is there something you've wanted to do that is only available where you're moving to? Scout out the positives and see what there is to get excited about. It's okay to miss your old friends and where you lived before, but don't let this hold you back from thriving in your new environment.

2. Analyze Your Stuff

When it comes to moving, the biggest challenge is usually handling all of your stuff. From prized possessions to junk you never got around to throwing out, it suddenly seems like you own way more than you used to. Here's where you need to make a plan. Decide how many boxes you think you'll need and what you actually want to take with you. Start off with an area (I recommend leaving the closet for last), and just go through what you're donating and throwing out. It will help filter out your stuff and you'll know what you'll really need.

3. Pack Your First Box

Depending on how much time you have, I would recommend that you to take inventory of the stuff that you're packing. For example, let's suppose you're working on packing around your desk. It has stuff that's important to you, but you won't be using it before you move. So you get a nice sturdy box, (if it's mostly books, don't let it be bigger than a medium) and place your first item in it. Make sure that it isn't just tossed in there, but you have an idea of where it's gonna go. Then take a sheet of lined paper, and write down what you put in the box. Repeat this process until the box is packed. Now I know it sounds like a lot of work, (and it is) which is why I recommend you take inventory of the things that are important to you. If they're all your school documents such as test scores and report cards, make sure that you have that on the paper before taping it to the box. This makes the moving process much easier since you already know what's in the box. Unpacking goes a lot smoother also because you already know what box you're looking for when you need something. If taking inventory is too much, you can always put a general title for each box instead. It would look like this:

Report Cards & Test Scores

Instead of this:

Report cards 2012-2018

Science fair certificate 2014

Test scores 2012-2018

4. Schedule Your Time

Moving is stressful, even if you're excited for it, so it's really important to schedule your time up until your moving day. If you're moving during the summer, that's great. You likely won't have school to worry about. However, if you're moving during the school year, you'll need time to do homework and stuff. Since I'm moving during COVID, my work is online. But I still have to plan out what I'm going to do everyday. Depending on how you work, I recommend getting your work done in the morning if possible, and packing in the afternoon. Or vice versa if that works better for you. But make sure you have a good schedule so you have some form of consistency.

5. Relax and Enjoy the Change

Despite the changes that you're about to face, it's really important that you relax and process the move. Watch your favorite show, listen to music, get outside the house if you can and destress. Enjoy the funny moments and the unique experiences. Even if it's not what you wanted or if it's something you've always desired, be sure to enjoy all the ups and downs along the way.