Alright folks, grabbed my coffee and ready to spill the beans on our latest move. Let me tell you, it started about as smoothly as a flat tire. Was staring at a mountain of stuff just two weeks out, panicking big time. Couldn’t wrap my head around where to even start.
First thing I forced myself to do? Actually walk through every single room. Not just a glance, but really looking. Opened every closet, every drawer, even the creepy crawl space. Wrote down everything. That list? Embarrassingly long. Suddenly realized we had like three broken toasters stashed away. Why? No clue.
The Purge Before The Pack
Got ruthless. Made three piles right there on the living room floor:
- Keep: Obvious stuff, like the good couch, plates we actually use, kid’s favorite toys.
- Toss: Broken junk, clothes with holes, expired mystery sauces from the fridge back corner.
- Sell/Donate: Things that were okay, just never used. That extra coffee maker? Gone.
Felt kinda brutal, chucking stuff out. But man, seeing that “keep” pile shrink? Pure relief. Hit up a local charity drop-off and even made a few bucks selling stuff online. Less to pack and move!
Boxes, Tape, and Labeling Fury
Here’s where things got… repetitive. Learned fast that saving a buck on flimsy boxes is stupid. Splurged on decent ones from the hardware store. Packing tape? Bought way more than I thought possible. Felt like I was building a tape fortress.
Strategy kicked in:
- Room by Room: Told myself “No jumping around!” Finished the kitchen completely before even glancing at the bedroom.
- Small Boxes for Heavy Stuff: Books? Seriously, put ’em in small boxes. Learned the hard way trying to lift a giant box full of books. Nearly threw my back out.
- Label Like a Madman: Wrote the room name and a quick list of contents on at least two sides. “Kitchen – Plates & Mugs” or “Bedroom 1 – John’s Winter Clothes.” Game changer when unloading.
Packing the kitchen alone took forever. So. Many. Dishes. Wrapped everything fragile in clothes or towels. Figured, gotta pack the clothes anyway, right?
Moving Day Chaos (Minimized!)
Rented a decent-sized truck. Hired two guys from that app everyone uses – lifesavers. My job? Point, label, and shuffle stuff out the door.
What saved my sanity:
- “Load Last, Unload First” Boxes: Packed one box per person with toothbrush, PJs, meds, phone chargers, and one change of clothes. Marked it OPEN FIRST!!!. This box went on the truck absolutely last.
- Essentials Bag: Separate backpack with snacks, water bottles, wallet, keys, truck rental paperwork, and my sanity. Kept it with me in the car.
- Directing Traffic: Just pointed at labels. “That says ‘Master Bathroom’, head back right.” Guys were quick, label system worked.
Unloading the truck felt like magic compared to loading. First thing off? Those OPEN FIRST!!! boxes. Had showers, clean clothes, and beds semi-set up before dinner. Felt human again.
Finished the day exhausted, surrounded by boxes, but actually okay. Drank a beer just staring at the organized chaos. Was it effortless? Heck no. Moving always sucks. But being smart about the purge, packing order, labeling, and having that “First Night” box ready? Cut the hassle down big time. Less swearing, less panic, less feeling lost in your own junk pile.
