When it comes to packing . . . . I think I get an F-. I've never been an organized mover. I would just throw things in bags, throw the bags on the truck, and ride off to the promise land!
I don't have the luxury of that in this situation. I have a deadline. no . . . . not a deadline. I have A DEADLINE. I'm throwing things away as if a gale force storm took down the house and drenched everything in 2 feet of warm rain water.
You would think I'd systematically move through each room, one at a time. Purging, setting aside, cleaning out.
Not me!!!
I run around the house like my ass is on fire and I don't remember what stop drop and roll means. Pulling out a drawer here . . . . blazing through some CD's there . . . . . moving some junk from this shelf to that shelf (great work there Goldilocks). I have ADD like you've never seen. And then I just stress myself out. And then I get stressed from being so damn stressed.
And then I just sit there in front of the TV with a Diet Mt. Dew and a bag full of Reeses Pieces. I crunch away and wonder "gee . . . I should probably be packing something."
I think I need a life coach.
Awww, poor Mere. I'm an expert packer. I've moved too many times not to be. I wish I had some magic advice - but my process does almost force you to pack - so I'll share that just in case it could help you out... I put together 3 boxes - donate, sell, and then one to start packing in. I go into a room with them and then I pull EVERYTHING OUT in that room from all drawers, closets, etc. At that point the room looks like it's thrown up and usually I can't even walk out (last time I did this in every room except my bedroom in the same afternoon - I had to pack FAST). That's what FORCES the pack. So then I start to separate into the boxes - focusing first on the things I use least (usually whatever was in the back of drawers, closets, etc.). The very last things to get packed are always the bathroom, kitchen stuff I need often (though I usually grab some disposable stuff for the packing stage and the move-in stage in the new place), and quite a little bit of my clothes. Oh, and the cats.
ReplyDeleteThis last move in particular I wandered around with post-its first - since some things were going to AZ and I want to be able to move out of my place here in SC just using my car in 10 months.... So I labeled place first - which really helped me identify what was most important to me. Everything in my apartment now I like, but don't love - unless it's pretty small (again - besides the kittles). That's a good way to start too.
Basically any way that you will actually START is the best. If it's walking around with post-its labeling things with level of importance/need/usefulness to you (try a scale of 1-5 or something) first, then starting to pack the most needed/important/useful or separating them all from one another - it will get easier. And I listen to audiobooks or watch movies while I do it - and build box forts for the kitties so I can enjoy them too while it's all going on.
This move I also digitized all my records - paper got scanned, photos too, all CD's and music got transferred to backup drive. And then I got another backup drive to back up that one. And thereby saved myself a TON of packing and space and hassle later. If you have time to go digital, it's a great time to do it.
If you need any other packing/moving advice and think I could help e-mail me!! <3