As much as I like to say I'm a minimalist (or have minimalist leanings), I have to accept the fact that I just have a lot of stuff and I don't even know where to begin. I've done the thing where I boxed up all of my books and felt a tremendous feeling of satisfaction--for about a day, and now I don't know what else to do.
I've been going through my things, giving away DVDs, selling things, piling stuff in my trunk for dropoff at the thrift store, but my apartment is still mostly unpacked. I reserved a truck for the large furniture items (http://www.anyvan.com/), I changed over my gas and electric, I'm eating up the food in the house, and freecycling things that are useful but that I don't use. But how do I actually pack the things that I use frequently?
I'm still living in my current place until the end of the month, and the moving day for the big items is the 2nd--though hopefully I can start bringing over carloads on the 1st.
Is anyone out there a super packer/mover who can give me some tips? I have a tendency to just shut down mentally when faced with such an overwhelming and arduous task. I just stare at the mess and tell myself that I'll deal with it later, then I complain to a co-worker who moved recently and she says "I started packing six months before I moved." Cue the panic.
http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/flying-lessons/moving/
ReplyDeleteFlyLady has really good advice.
That IS good advice! Holy crap, she covered everything! Thank you for sharing, I actually feel better now :)
DeleteI found an old bottle of vodka and got really drunk on moving day! One less thing to pack!
ReplyDeleteSadly, I am super organized with my booze and always know exactly where it is. I'll probably hide a bottle in my new place to help with organizing though ;)
DeleteThe best thing I did the last time I moved was group like things (winter gear, photos/albums, camping gear, etc.) and put them into labeled rubbermaid totes. Most are things I don't use too often, so they stay in the totes in my storage locker. And, when I need anything from one of them, I know exactly where it is.
ReplyDeleteI also donated a TON of stuff… mostly things I hadn't used for at least a year. It felt good to get rid of all of it!
Good luck with your move!
Hate moving myself, but we are actually hoping to. All depends if wife can find a job by July 1, the deadline to notify our apartment place. Was tough to get wife on board with moving as well now that we finally have the place clean, but last night's fire alarm at 1 a.m. cinched it :) Like sweetsweat says, it's a great chance to clean out what you don't use. We've got about one fourth the books we used to have.
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