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Moving is daring, but at the same time, an exciting experience. Even more so if you are moving long-distance, into the unknown. This is a chance to spruce up your routine, get out of your comfort zone and begin anew. However, it can also be challenging and, at times, hectic. With so many people in and out of the house carrying stuff around, things can go south rather quickly. Belongings can get misplaced, lost, broken even! Luckily, with a clear mindset of everything that needs to be done, the worst-case scenario is easily avoidable. The following tips prove that it is, indeed, possible to stay organized during a long-distance relocation. So, let’s see how!

Start prepping early

Perhaps the best way to be and stay organized while moving is to begin preparations early on. You don’t want to wait until the last minute to start packing. By packing urgently, without an existing system, you risk turning the process of unpacking into an absolute nightmare.

To save yourself from unnecessary stress, map out the schematics of your move several weeks before. Take the time to declutter your personal space by tossing out useless belongings and donating clothes and toys. If you own any valuable items that you no longer need, there is also the option to sell. As for the things of sentimental value but no actual use, Zippy Shell DMV provides a solution for putting them away for safekeeping. The solution in the form of storage units.

While clearing up the contents of your home, don’t forget to check every nook and cranny for hidden treasures! You may have forgotten you’ve put them there in the first place.

While clearing up the contents of your home, don’t forget to check every nook and cranny for hidden treasures! You may have forgotten you’ve put them there in the first place!

A list? Check!

Not everyone likes making lists, but let’s face it – they are a handy tool for staying on track with, well, anything!

However, in this particular case, you’ll want to make not one but multiple lists! The first being the list of all the things that need to be done. The second being the list of supplies that need to be bought, such as boxes, tape, and wrap. And the third being the items you’ve already packed with the location of where you’ve packed them.

With the stress of the upcoming relocation constantly growing in size, it’s expectable to forget more than usual. When you find yourself in a situation where you can’t remember something, you’ll be glad you’ve made written reminders on time!

A couple making a moving list

Pack in stages

If you genuinely want to stay organized while prepping for a long-distance move, you want to approach the packing process gradually. That means going room by room, rather than randomly throwing stuff into boxes any chance you get.

To pack like a true expert, dedicate several boxes for each room and take the time to properly label them all. And there you have it! Unpacking, later on, has just become incredibly easy!

Don’t forget to label!

A good practice is to use sharpies of various colors and use only one per room. On each box, write down the room’s name along with a brief explanation of contents in it. This will allow you to find the much-needed appliances in no time whatsoever! In addition, don’t forget to label the crates containing breakables with the ”fragile” insignia to let others handling them know to pay close attention to them.

A woman resting upon a box with ''fragile'' written on it

Come up with a packing system

Not every packing system works for everyone, which is why you’ll need to create one that works for you. While you’ll undoubtedly have an easier time packing room by room, it’s up to you to decide in what order you’ll pack. The rule of the thumb is to start with rooms you spend less time in and finish up with the high traffic areas. This might mean you’ll pack up the guest room first and the living room last.

To spruce up the whole process, stay organized during long-distance relocation, and make it easier to spot boxes, you can use those of different colors, as well. Colorful tapes are also an option.

Bulky furniture, for example, is incredibly challenging to pack since it takes up a substantial amount of space. To make furniture transfer easier, perhaps the best idea is to disassemble the pieces in question. Naturally, once you arrive at the new home, you can assemble everything back up. But beware! Small parts must be kept somewhere safe in order not to lose them! A ziplock bag can prove the right place for the screws, bolts, and similar items. Just make sure to attach the bag with the parts to the furniture you’ve taken them from to avoid possible mix-ups.

Leave essentials for last

Sure, packing early is the way to go, but what about the items you need up until the moving day? Wouldn’t it be inconvenient to have to get them out of the box every time you want to use them? Of course, it would! That’s why you must wait for the absolute last minute to deal with them!

But first, determine what it is that you use daily. These could be some kitchen appliances and utensils, medication, sheets, blankets, or clothes. Once you have a clear picture of your essentials, you’ll know what items to continue packing and what to save for the end.

A woman and a girl who want to stay organized during a move by packing essentials last

Pack an emergency bag

By emergency bag, we mean a bag of essential belongings you’ll need as soon as you move in. These can be the same belongings that you wait for the end to pack up! They’ll make it easier to stay organized during a long-distance relocation as you won’t have to unpack everything straight away. It’s also a good idea to keep these items close by during the actual transport. Preferably, keep them in your vehicle rather than the moving truck, especially if the bag contains medication or important documents.

The bottom line

While it may seem impossible to stay organized during a long-distance relocation, the truth is far from that. By approaching the process early on, devising a careful plan, and even getting help from friends and family, it is more than manageable!

 

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