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How to Make Your Next Move Less Chaotic
A guide for minimizing anxiety and waste when moving homes
When I lived in Chicago, the alleyways were overfilled with last minute toss-outs every July or August 1st (popular move dates.) I still have an image of a stainless steel pot lying in the gravel and a shelf that had become waterlogged by the previous night’s rain. It was chaotic.
In a recent survey of 1,000 Americans, 45% of respondents said that moving is by far the most stressful life event. As for me, I’ve moved four times in the past two years — twice being across the country. And I’d have to agree: moving is so stressful, it puts a temporary hold on every other intention in my life.
Being so, I’ve learned through trial and error what makes a less chaotic move. I used to think moving was something to put off until the last minute. I thought it was inevitable to fight with my partner, trash an ungodly amount of stuff, and spend unplanned amounts of money for last-minute junk removers. But now I know that time and foresight are the two secret ingredients for a successful (and calm) move.
The following is a rough guide and timeline for preparing to move, and should be adjusted based on your unique situation.
More Than 3 Months Out
Unless you’re already a perfectly organized minimalist, your moving experience is going to be better if you slowly and consistently begin the work as soon as possible. And this starts with decluttering your stuff.
A few years ago, I began decluttering one item a day in preparation for a move I knew would happen more than nine months in the future. As I’ve experienced since, moving is always easier if you simply have less stuff to move.
This is also the time to start saving large boxes and packing materials (if you have the extra storage space).
2 Months To Go
Now that you’ve spent weeks or months decluttering, you should start actively organizing your possessions. Identify an area each day to put in order — whether that be a drawer of clothes, a shelf of miscellaneous bath items, a messy work station, etc.
