I would say I qualify to give some advice on this topic as I have moved numerous times in my six decades or so of life. Not so much as a child, where I grew up in the same house until I was eighteen years old. Rather during my married life, when as a family we were posted to various locations with the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) and later continuing to change our location as a family and finally as an ‘empty nested’ couple.
Each move became easier as we were increasingly familiar with the logistics of the process. One of the advantages of having a transient lifestyle in life is the ability to stay relatively minimalist in regard to our possessions. We learnt the longer you stay in one place, the more you accumulate and the more likelihood things begin to lurk in the back of your cupboards, pantries, and wardrobes. Moving to a new home gives the ideal opportunity to cull your life possessions as you lovingly pack them into cardboard boxes for removal.
If you are contemplating a change of address it is never too early to plan. Once you come to the decision that you are downsizing or relocating, envision how the furniture you currently have will suit a new home. If you are going for a partial or complete new look, think about how this can happen. It can be a good time to replace old for new, prior to moving, keeping in mind the configuration of your new dwelling. For example, if you are downsizing you will need less furniture and smaller dimensions so you don’t overcrowd the space. Decide the fate of any existing furniture – donation, selling online or giving it to family/friends. Be aware they may not share your taste in home decorating.
House 1: The one you are leaving
- Give yourself a good amount of time for planning and packing prior to removal day.
- Be flexible with your removal date. If this is possible, you can ‘piggyback’ on other loads by a removalist. This usually entices them to discount the removal cost.
- You have been culling your possessions within your current space. Now you need to pack only what is going with you. Everything else is disposed of, donated, or sold to its new owner.
- Pack boxes within the rooms they are currently located. If you have garage space this becomes handy as a partial or full storage unit. This depends on available additional driveway or carport space to temporarily park your vehicle.
- Label each box with the name of the room e.g. Bedroom 1, Kitchen etc. Add a brief description, in point form, of contents. Label the top and side with location. Suitcases and bags also work well for packing items such as clothes and shoes.
- Keep potential items for several boxes marked ‘Essentials’. These are the things you want to unpack for the first night in your new home. Include basic kitchen supplies, several towels and basic bathroom supplies and linen for each bedroom. Alternatively give yourself the luxury of booking a place to stay close to your new home for the first night. You will feel exhausted.
- Once all boxes are packed create an inventory of your furniture. List the major pieces of furniture and number of boxes per room. This will make it easier at the other end to identify everything has safely made it to your new home.
Half the process is now done. Removal day arrives and your life shifts before your eyes as furniture comes out of your current home, into a truck, ready to go to your new residence. Hopefully, you have had a good sleep the night before and have energy for this important day. If you have the opportunity walk through your home, say your goodbyes in a ritualistic way and take in the memories. Believe you will create a whole new set of memories in your new home too.
House 2: The one you are moving into
- Move in the large furniture and place within the room and position each will inhabit. It is possible you will shift and reposition but it’s a good idea to have a basic concept of how you imagine each room will look.
- Ask for most of the boxes to be placed against a wall in your garage (this one came as a great tip after many removals). That way you can slowly bring boxes into the house and you don’t feel you are initially living around them. (See my postscript below).
- Take an inventory of what has arrived. That way you have an idea if anything is missing.
- Unpack your ‘Essential Items’ Kitchen box. This is the time to have a drink and something to eat. To pause the process, just enough to help your mind and body integrate the fact that you have moved house.
- Take a walk through your new home and envision how it will look when completely furnished. Say ‘hello’ to each room and infuse positive energy.
- Once the fridge is on and cooling, do a basic shop of groceries. Or perhaps indulge in take out the first night and have essentials ready for the next day.
- Unpack the remaining bathroom and bedroom essentials and enjoy the first night in your new home.
Postscript: Worst moving experience was moving into our next RAAF home with two children – a three-year-old and nine-month-old. Husband went straight to night shift on base and I was left surrounded with boxes and no idea where even the essentials were packed. You can imagine the rest.
Would love you to share your moving tips and stories in the comments. If you would like a PDF of this blog for future reference email me jan@healingthematriarch.com.