If this is the case, take time to assess your physical strength and endurance to determine what kind of help you’ll need to pack up and move.
Follow the tips below to make the job a little safer and easier.
1. Take it slow
Break the task of packing up your belongings into small jobs, beginning with selling, donating or throwing away anything you don’t want to take to your next home.
It took a lot of years to accumulate what you own it will take some time to go through each of them.
Set aside an hour or two each day to go through your belongings.
If at all possible, make an immediate decision about what you will do with each item you find and then do it. You don’t want to end up having to deal with the same thing more than once.
2. Consider box weight
Try to pack your boxes with a combination of lighter and heavier things, with the intention of making sure no box weighs more than 50 pounds.
Having boxes with reasonable weights will make it much easier handling them on moving day.
3. Get help
If at all possible, try to get someone to help you move. Even if you feel you can do it yourself, err on the side of caution – potentially avoiding any injuries – and ask for help.
If you can’t find anyone at all think about setting aside some money to hire a moving company.
4. Long term storage
Plastic tubs work will for items you want to store long-term. This will ensure that your belongings remain safe and protected from damage.
5. Thinking ahead
One of the last things you’ll feel like doing once all of your belongings are at your new home is to unpack it all.
Pack one or more boxes and mark them “open first”.
These will be items you’ll want to be able to access right away such as toiletries, linens, bedding, pillows, etc.
Pack these boxes away in the moving truck last (or in your personal vehicle) so they can be quickly accessed.
6. Label clearly
Clearly label each box on the top, sides and bottom so that you know precisely what is in each of them.
This will help to speed up the unpacking process and reduce stress because you know exactly where everything needs to go in your new home.
7. DIY or Hire Movers
Consider the following factors to help you decide whether you can DIY your move or hire movers to help.:
- ⬥ What is my health like? Can I do most of the work myself without difficulty?
- ⬥ Can anyone in my family help?
- ⬥ Do I have to do this quickly or can I take my time moving?
- ⬥ How far away am I moving? (The closer the move the easier it will be)
Finally, moving day has arrived.
Following are some bonus tips to make sure it’s a safe one:
- ⬥ Don’t move more than you’re physically able to. The last thing you want to do is strain your back or injure yourself in any way.
- ⬥ Use your legs to lift, not your back.
- ⬥ Use a dolly for anything heavier than 50 pounds (or the maximum you’re able to lift)
- ⬥ If using a dolly, use the safety straps
- ⬥ Make sure the path to and from your home is clear of any obstacles.
- ⬥ Put your pets away to keep them from getting underfoot and getting lost or injured (or causing you or someone else to trip)
- ⬥ Drink plenty of water and make sure you – and your helpers – have food on hand to keep your energy up.
- ⬥ Stack boxes carefully, use moving blankets for furniture and appliances to prevent damage
- ⬥ Place heavier items towards the front of the truck and make sure they’re secured well.
