Summary: The more methodical your approach is the less stressful the moving out process will be.
Regardless of the reasons why you are moving, the actual process of moving out from one house to another can be a chaotic and fairly stressful experience. Packing up all of your belongings into dozens of boxes and figuring out how best to get everything to your new place can require a solid plan. There are steps you can consider following to make the entire process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Pack Early
The sooner you know you will be moving, the sooner you can start to prepare. The luxury of packing early is that it gives you the freedom to really go through your belongings. Instead of leaving the giant task of packing everything up days before you plan on moving, divide the process up into smaller, more manageable parts. Even spending as little as thirty minutes each day months before can make a big difference, as the time will add up.
As you go through each room in your house, you may realize there are items you do not use on a regular basis. Items you do not really need can either be thrown away or donated to people who could make good use of them, if they are at least in working condition. Items like clothes, furniture, and appliances are all usually accepted at donation sites. If you own cushions you no longer need, you may be better off donating your current cushions and picking up new ones from a store like The Foam Factory after you have moved houses.
Organize
Another effective packing tip that can help your future self out is organizing as you go. Dividing your boxes up by room, using colored labels to categorize, and making a note of what is inside each box will help you locate each of your items when the time to unpack everything comes.
In addition to keeping the boxes organized, you can take it a step further by creating a spreadsheet for all of your moving arrangements. Keeping track of the number of boxes you have, relevant moving information, when packers are coming, when you can move in, and so forth can help you keep everything in one place.
Load the Truck Wisely
Before putting anything in the truck think about an order that makes sense. Place larger items, such as sofa foam, couches, and chairs, into the truck first. When loading the boxes into the moving truck, save the items you will need once you get to the new house for last. This will make them easily accessible once you arrive.