It’s important to have a plan before you start packing. Even though you can’t possibly predict exactly how long it will take, or what surprises may await you, a carefully thought out plan will go a long way toward keeping you on task and reducing stress.
Most experts agree that two days is about the average time needed to pack a single room. Multiply each room by two, add in time for any cleaning or repair work that needs to be done, and you’ll have your packing schedule.
Most people dread packing because it’s tedious and takes a lot of effort. It is hard work, but if you use it as an opportunity to reduce the clutter in your life as you pack you’ll spend much less time unpacking in your new home, and save a lot of wear and tear on your back, arms and legs as well.
Empty out and pack your closets first. You can stack packed boxes in them, and then shut the doors to minimize the impact of early packing on your normal household routine.
Pack up all your seasonal items next and, if possible, completely empty one room and use it to store boxes once you run out of closet space.
Getting kids to give up old toys and clothes can be tough, but it makes a lot more sense to weed out the things they don’t need than to pack them up and lug them to a new home, where they’ll just sit unused.
In the long run, letting practicality win out over sentimentality will make every aspect of your move easier; it will save you a lot of unpacking time on the other end, and you’ll spend less on getting your things to your new home.
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