{Photo taken right after closing, in front of our new house.}
I feel like I’ve blogged a lot about moving in the last year. Probably because I have. In less than 4 years, we have moved 6 times. 4 of those times have been since May of last year. I KNOW. Before I have even started my master’s, I’ve achieved my PhD…in moving.
Going back through the advice I wrote in this post and the amazingly helpful comments on this post definitely provided some great moving reminders. Here are the few tips (old & new) that helped the most this time around:
- Banana boxes are the best thing that has ever happened to moving. Go to the nearest grocery store and ask for as many as you can carry. If they don’t have them right at that moment, they should be able to tell you when they will have some. If you drive a Toyota Matrix, you may have to make several (read: 20) trips. IT WILL BE WORTH IT. They are sturdy and not too huge, meaning you can easily pick them up and move them from one place to another, even if you have the upper body strength of a five-year-old (um, me). They also have built-in handles on the side. Honestly, banana boxes are SO FULL OF WIN I cannot sing their praises enough.
- Go room by room. If there is one thing you do, THIS SHOULD BE THAT THING. I have serious, serious ADD, and tend to feel very overwhelmed very quickly. By going room by room, you feel accomplished and get much more done. If you do a little in one room and a little in another, you spend a lot of time bouncing back and forth and don’t see very much progress (frustrating).
- Don’t pack the essentials. You’re going to need a can opener, some sort of pot, a tea kettle, a wine opener, etc. It’ll be easy to throw these things in a laundry basket (or banana box!) at the last minute. Think about the simple items you use every day and leave those alone, otherwise you’ll be digging through boxes or making some unnecessary runs to Wal-Mart.
- Don’t stress about what you’re taking. Moving is stressful enough. Unless you’re extremely tight on space, just throw everything into boxes. Except for your breakables, in which case, wrap those in bubble wrap, then throw them into boxes. I was under the impression that I needed to cull through all the stuff I didn’t need anymore before I moved it…and then I realized that if I did that, we were never going to be out of our house on time. So I closed my eyes (it was more like a squint), packed everything, and saved the feng shui attack for the unpacking process. And it’s worked really well, judging by the two boxes of stuff to get rid of in my living room!
{This is what your boxes look like if you try to make them look cute. You know, for your blog.}
- Bubble wrap. Speaking of which. If you can’t get your hands on newspaper, buy a roll of bubble wrap at Wal-Mart. I’m probably not going to win any super green awards on LfT, but it was an easy solution to a huge problem: lots of breakable stuff and not nearly enough newspaper.
- Be easy on yourself. Especially if you’re working full-time (sigh). Moving is an exhausting process. If you come home from work and have at it for a couple of hours, take a break. Listen to some music, have a glass of wine, watch a movie. Eat lots of take-out and frozen food; do not attempt to cook. You’ll get it all done. Surprisingly enough, your sanity is pretty valuable in this process.
- Have the best family in the world. Okay, so this last one is only if you’re lucky. I have a fantastic set of parents and a great sister and brother-in-law. We couldn’t have pulled this off without them. Thanks guys. We promise, this is the last time! I mean, until we call you again in two years.
{Above all else, eat off of holiday paper plates. It instantly makes you feel better.}
Do you have any moving tips to add? Maybe we should compile a book of moving tips! Is anyone else moving anytime soon? What’s the most you’ve ever moved during a certain period of time?
Comments on Scenes from a move.
From Kristina:
I moved into a townhome after I got married to only move out 1 month later because we almost got/died from carbon monoxide poisoning TWICE, moved into another townhome for 1 year, moved out and into my mom’s for 2 months, packed up and moved across Texas with a 3 month old. I FEEL YOUR PAIN! We are done with moving until next time;)
From SP:
The best decision I ever made in regards to moving was to hire movers. I called several places to get the best price. Most places charge by the hour so being super prepared can help cut down the cost. For instance, we packed all our boxes and put them in one room. Then we attempted to get all the furniture toward the front of the house, so the movers were in and out as quickly as possible. It made the whole process SO much less stressful, and I didn’t feel like my poor boyfriend was taking the brunt of the work.
From Rachel:
We have moved 5 times in 5 years. It’s a lot! The last move was from a 4 bedroom home to a 1 bedroom apartment, so we had to get rid of so much! It was very freeing to give away or sell things we were just holding on to for “what if” and “sometime I might”. Our 1 bedroom is small, but I’m hoping we can make do until we’re ready to buy another home. I’m so over packing up and moving our stuff. However, I’ll maybe never be over setting up a home. I LOVE that process! Glad your move went well! And, excited for you and your Grad school adventure!
From Tabaitha:
We have done our fair share of moving in the last five years although I think you might have us beat. My recommendation is delegate if people are able to help. I have the problem that I want to do everything myself (control freak) and then I’m left exhausted, burnt out and slightly moody.
From Julie:
Along with Banana boxes, paper boxes also work great! My work always keeps a stash of them in a back closet that we are allowed to take and use as needed. They have the same quality as the banana boxes in that they can hold a ton of weight (like books) they aren’t bulky or awkward and they have built in handles! Perfect moving boxes.
If you by chance own hand weights; don’t pack them (or at least have easy access to them). Save them to prop open doors as need. It helps a TON when you do not have to sacrifice an extra pair of hands to hold open doors.
And when you finally get into your place; set-up your bed and make your bed FIRST so that after an exhausting day of moving and unpacking you don’t dejectedly go to your room to go to sleep only to realize you still have to put the bed together and make it. That one might be a no brainer but honestly who still has their brain after a day of moving. It’s worth mentioning.
From Marlena:
There are boxes from the liquor store with individual inserts that were sent by God for moving glasses! No wrapping and for me that meant faster and happier packing. This house is our 6th together as well. You did just make me feel better though because that’s over a course of 6 years instead of 3! I will keep my solo average to myself. It may or may not be in the double digits. You know, hypothetically.
From Mary:
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve moved since leaving for college – it’s insanity, and yet I keep doing it! These are all great tips. And has anyone told you lately that you are freakin’ gorgeous? Cause you are :)
From Rosie:
Thank you SO MUCH for the moving advice! I’m about to make second move ever so I’m quite the moving novice. Your tips are great and hopefully will come in handy for me in the next couple weeks. Love your blog :)
absolutelyagriculture.blogspot.com
From Suburban Sweethearts:
You’re a packing expert. That PhD is well-earned.
From Heather:
In the process of packing right now! We are moving in 2 weeks. Thank you for this perfect post. It’s genius. And you are gorgeous with that uber blond hair!!
From Sarah:
Your house is adorable. Do super bowl plates count as ‘holiday plates’?
From Cio:
You just said “just throw everything into boxes…”
And I cried on the inside. lol
Hi my name is Cio and I have OCD.
also another tip…
Get your friends who LOVE to pack (and possibly have OCD) to help you. Hehehe
From Deanna Ogle:
Gah. I hate moving. It just makes me anxious that I can’t pack my house up in one car trip because I feel like I’m inheriting my family’s pack-rat habits. It makes me anxious.
The worst part about my last move was that my husband had to work on the weekend when we were moving so I had to move for three or four days straight by myself. It was hot, gross, and I was driving an old clunky car.
My tips are:
- Just chill. Normal people move. You aren’t a pack rat.
- Do what you can when you can. When you’re burnt out on moving boxes, take a break, go get some coffee, or something else. (Your original point.)
- Don’t forget to forward your address! I not only forgot to, but I also forgot to update it on my license and got pulled over just a few weeks later and got a ticket for it not being updated. :(
- Enjoy the process of everything finding its place. Once I setup my kitchen I had to move the contents of a few cabinets around because I went to reach for a plate where it wasn’t. The flow of the house will come together.
- Also, don’t forget to have some super awesome hot married sex in your new place as soon as you move in the last box. Or before then! You know… Have to break in the new place. ;)
From Vanessa:
I’ve only moved 3 times in 20 years. Once in 3rd grade, the next to college, and lastly when I got married. My husband and I are currently living with my father-in-law and have yet to find a place that works. However, since we have a 1-year-old, I have PLENTY of diaper boxes that I’m saving for when we do move. Hooray for multi-purpose items :)
From tillie:
moving is the WORST. That’s probably why any dreams of a newer, funner house keep getting nixed. I can not imagine packing and moving again. Peace be with you.
From Cait Emma:
You two are adorable! I just saw your blog and went looking around. One of my best friends is from Texas so I got excited. Hope you don’t mind! If you get a chance check out: http://www.cait-flightlessbird.blogspot.com
Thanks
xoxCait