Packing is a stressful process, but it needn't be a lengthy one. Provided you prepare properly, you can gather up your belongings and get them ready for removal in a very short space of time.
Create a packing plan
Packing your possessions in an aimless, disorganised manner will almost certain prolong this experience; without giving yourself specific goals and deadlines, you're more likely to get distracted when you come across items you haven't seen in a while (such as old photo albums). Additionally, if you don't have a plan of action, you may end up throwing your things into boxes rather haphazardly, which could make the unpacking process in your new home that much harder.
By coming up with a packing plan you'll be more likely to make your way through your belongings in a quick and efficient manner. It can be helpful to have a visual reminder of your deadline; mark out your moving date in a calendar. Then, jot down your packing goals for each day leading up to this date.
You can opt to tackle one room or category of items every day, or if this isn't realistic (perhaps because of your work schedule or other personal responsibilities), you may want to aim to clear out one room over the course of three or four days. It may also be a good idea to write up a list of small rewards that you can treat yourself to if you achieve your goals, so that you'll have an incentive to pack things up as quickly as possible. It could be something as small as a glass of wine at the end of the day or a trip to the cinema with some friends; just make sure that you choose types of rewards that you know will motivate you to complete your to-do list.
Get rid of distractions
It's all too easy to become distracted from your packing goals; errands, work, other household members and pets can all negatively affect the speed with which you box up your possessions. If you know that you have a short attention span and will probably find it difficult to focus on packing during the run up to moving day, it may be worth doing what you can to eliminate potential distractions.
For example, if you often find yourself getting caught up in the drama of your favourite television show, it might be a good idea to box up this item a few days before you're due to move house, so that you won't be tempted to switch it on when you're supposed to be packing. Additionally, if you have pets, consider placing them in a reputable boarding kennel a week before the move. This will not only free up more time for packing but will also make the actual moving process a lot easier, as your furniture removalists won't have to worry about accidentally treading on your pet's paws or tail when they're carrying around your items, and you won't have to spend time feeding and walking them.
Share6 December 2016
Moving can be really expensive! But I move regularly for one reason or another, and I've become pretty good at moving on a budget. I can always find a cheap removalist and get some great deals on packing supplies. I also have some good tips on smart packing to reduce the amount of boxes that you need to move, which can help to minimise the costs as well. People are always impressed with my budgeting mojo, so I thought it would be good to start a blog to share my tips as well as create a place for others to share their ideas on moving on a budget.
