If you’ve ever moved you know that it’s a long, not-so-fun process. There’s a lot of packing, wondering why you have so much stuff, and potentially breaking your treasures. So it’s not surprising that we procrastinate on preparing. If you find yourself in this position right now, here’s your guide to ‘kick your packing into gear!”

Note: If you’re moving from house to house, this guide might not work so well…depending on how much you have to pack.

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1. A little prep work

The first to-do: Figure out how long you have until move-out/move-in day. If you’re a big procrastinator and are moving in the next couple of days and haven’t done anything, I suggest contacting your real estate agent or landlord because you need more time.

But if you are one week out, it’s probably doable (especially for an apartment). For example, you have five days left. I recommend that you look at that as go time! Don’t schedule anything, put your DVR to work (no TV!) and consider taking one or two days off of work.

Using a calendar (I prefer Google Calendar), schedule out your days ahead. Like this:

2. Get Materials

Visit Home Depot or your local grocery/liquor store and get some boxes. If you move often or don’t want to deal with boxes breaking, consider investing in a bunch of sturdy storage bins (like these from Home Depot).

Full Materials Checklist {Download}:

3. Get Comfy

This is important. Grab your favorite and most comfy clothes (that you don’t mind getting grimey) and put on your motivating playlist because now the real work begins.

4. Work Your Way Down

I like to start with the hardest room and work my way down. This would be (in my opinion)…

• Kitchen
• Master bedroom
• Living room
• Office
• Closets
• Bathroom
• Any other bedrooms or bathrooms
• Entryway
• Furniture breakdown (bed, TV stand, etc.)
• Storage locker (if in an apartment)

Avoid rushing because you think you don’t have enough time. Quickly and efficiently pack your boxes. The last thing you need on moving day is boxes breaking while you’re moving into your new place.

Dedicate a corner of your apartment for finished boxes. Pro tip: Choose an area close to the door where you will move your stuff out. 

Now that you have these four steps, stick to your schedule. Power through and pack!

What Not to Do

1. Go through old photos and spend hours looking at them laughing.
2. Stop to watch TV, play video games, or any other form of entertainment.
3. Throw everything into black bags and pack with duct tape. Tommy Boy style.
4. Expect help. It’s okay to ask family and friends to help, but don’t expect them to come with smiles; no one likes moving.

What to Do

1. Purge (Throw. Keep. Give.). When you go through your stuff, you will find items you no longer use. This is where you decide to purge it by selling, giving it away, or throwing.
2. Sleep. Make sure to get adequate sleep during the weeks of packing so you can maintain energy throughout the day!
3. Create a cleaning kit. Fill a laundry basket with…
   • Cleaning solution
   • Paper towels
   • Wipes
   • Window cleaner
   • Sharpies
   • Tape
   • Towels
   • Swiffers
4. Sell all items on Craigslist prior to moving. They’ll be one less thing to pack. If items don’t sell, give them away; you’re obviously not trying to make a profit so they should be easy to give away.

Moving Hacks

• Consider buying or renting plastic totes to move your stuff. Google “moving totes” to find these in your area. They are sturdier than boxes and are all the same size. It makes it easier to pack the truck and move with a dolly.
• Use blue tape to tape cupboards that have already been empty. That way everyone knows what’s done and can focus on what’s left.
• Buy a big roll of bubble wrap… many items need it.
• Create a first night box.

Further Resources

• Lifehacker’s Start-to-Finish Guide for Moving to a New Place

Download the Full Moving Guide