I am generally pretty chill ... until I am not.

And I want to stay chill throughout our upcoming move, so I have complied my top tips for a less stressful move.  (I will be referring to this post when the … "until I am not" moments arise.)

A friend who recently moved described the experience this way: "move is a four letter word".  That sums it up for lots of people, but it doesn't have to be that way.  

Moving, especially for women, is a stressful time.  We have more vested in our homes emotionally than your average man.  So not only are we dealing with the physical aspects of moving, but the emotional as well.  

It really is not that unusual to even feel you are betraying your house a bit by leaving it.  We are that tied emotionally to our surroundings.  This leads me to Tip One...

Five Tips for a Less Stressful Move

1. Acknowledge that moving is stressful

Acknowledging that moving is a big deal does help.  This allows you to give yourself a little slack in the event you 'lose it' at some point.  Like a crab shedding it's shell and having to get comfortable in another one.  It is stressful, even with the happiest of shell upgrades. 

2. Take pictures of your current home

Take photos of your home with your family & pets. Capture the morning sun streaming through the kitchen window.  Your pet snuggled in its favorite spot.  Snap a few in your kids' rooms.  This will help you preserve the memories, so there is less of a feeling of loss.  Sharing pretty pictures of my house - 'cause boxes are boxes.

3. PURGE

Purge is in all CAPS because it is VERY important. You are transitioning to a new chapter, so don't bring all the stuff you kept sitting in the cabinets during the last chapter.  It is a waste of energy, money & space.  

Shed yourself of what isn't useful, necessary or beautiful.  Forget "does it bring you joy?  Take it to the next level, "does it make you ECSTATIC!?"  If not, consign, donate or toss.  I am purging like I am getting on the Ark & it feels soooo great!

4. Pack your own boxes

After you purge pack your own boxes.  It is more work on this side,  but less on the other side.  Nobody knows your stuff like you do.  Therefore, no one can label your boxes like you can.  Labeling is key, especially if you are going to be under construction.

Invest in some high quality cardboard boxes. Plastic bins are great too, but more costly.  Use towels to line the bottom of boxes rather than bubble wrap or paper when you can.  You have to pack the towels anyway so may as well make them useful.

5. Color Code Boxes to Each Room

After packing your boxes color code them with wide tape.  Make a colored tape X on each box that corresponds to every room in the house.  Then make a poster board chart for the movers to reference on moving day.  Hang it by the entrance to your new home.  Example Pink X = second floor bedroom on right.  Green X - living room.  

Also put the same colored X in tape on the door or floor of each room.  This will make it easy for the movers to get the boxes in the right rooms.  And since movers often charge hourly you may save some $ doing this too.

Don't let anyone tell you moving is no big deal.  Also, don't let it sneak up on you.  Heed my tips to reduce stress and ease the transition physically & emotionally.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures.  Glad I have so many to help remember this house.  It has been a lovely place to live.   I will miss it, but am ready for a new chapter to begin.

** Kelly **