A little confession here – I do not enjoy moving.
Friends of mine who get to read this blog post might be surprised with this because they know I have moved several times throughout the course of my life here in Australia.
When I was young, my parents decided to move from one state to another after my father got promoted on his job and had to be reassigned. After my dad’s retirement, we also had to move to a different location to establish a small family business. Of course, I also had to leave when I attended college. My employment and marriage, shortly after finishing school, became further reasons for me not to settle in the same place.
And I suspect things do not end there yet. There may be yet other valid reasons why I and my family will probably move somewhere else in the near future.
Perhaps I simply dislike the hassle of being taken out of my comfort zone. Or who am I kidding? I think it’s the trouble of packing belongings I loathe the most. Organizing everything can take a lot of time and work – not to mention expensive since hiring a vehicle is often necessary.
Anyway, I’ll try to share with you some of the things I’ve learned from my experiences and I hope these simple packing tips can help you minimize common errors and challenges that most first-time movers encounter often. Take note that some of these lessons I have learned through the hard way so try to pay attention to what I say if you want to prevent the same problems.
Image credit: blmurch
(flickr.com)
1. Use the right boxes.
First and foremost, I feel I have to emphasize the importance of using the right boxes for specific items. For example, it is ideal to use small boxes for books and other heavy objects while large boxes are recommended for lighter items. Inexperienced packers often do it the other way and that can be a terrible mistake. This can make carrying the boxes a lot more difficult than usual.
2. Fill in the gaps.
Of course, it is also important that you leave no empty spaces inside the boxes. In case there are gaps, try putting some of your blankets, towels, socks, or tissue paper in between. This can minimize damages your belongings may get while in transit.
3. Organize everything before sealing the box.
Aside from choosing an appropriate box and inserting proper cushioning, it is also advisable that you arrange the items before taping the box. Avoid mixing unrelated objects because that will make unpacking harder later on.
4. Label all the boxes.
This is another practical tactic that can make unpacking much easier as you arrive on your new home. You’ll know which boxes need to be taken to which rooms.
5. Ship items to your new address.
Whether you will be using your own vehicle or will be renting one, it may sometimes be difficult to fit all your boxes in if you have too many. Instead of getting another vehicle, I would encourage you to ship your belongings to the new address instead. This is significantly cheaper and so this is highly recommended. I personally prefer DHL courier Australia for these services but feel free to check out other options in your area if this is unavailable.
Again, these are merely based on my experiences and I’m sure there are many other strategies to make moving less stressful for anyone. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit the comment section and I’ll do my best to respond quickly. Also, I won’t mind receiving further advice regarding moving. It’s not like I’m already an expert on the subject anyway!
Other interesting reads:
33 Moving Tips That Will Make Your Life So Much Easier (buzzfeed.com)
Moving On: Tips for An Organized Move (organizedhome.com)
How to Choose a Moving Company (styleathome.com)
Pack n' Roll 