MOVING WITH PEACE OF MIND: PRACTICAL ADVICE FROM A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER
May is here, and with it moving season! If you're planning to move soon, it's essential to get organized to avoid stress and hassle.
According to Statistics CanadaMoving house is considered one of life's five most stressful events, but don't worry, I'm here to help. As a professional space planner, I've helped many people (including myself on numerous occasions) through this crucial stage of their lives, and I'm here to give you a few tips to make things easier.
The good news is that moving can also be a great opportunity to declutter your home and get rid of anything you no longer need.
Here are 5 practical tips to help you declutter your home before you move. Are you ready to start your new life in a more zen, uncluttered and organized home?
1. Start early
The secret to a successful move is to start early, one to three months in advance, depending on the size of your home and the number of years you've lived there.
The further in advance you plan, the more time you have to prepare, sort your belongings, organize boxes and draw up a moving schedule. So, if you know you'll be moving in the next few months, start preparing now... Especially if you've accumulated a lot of stuff over the years and have a lot of rooms in your house!
If you're feeling overwhelmed and planning isn't your thing, a professional organizer can also help you plan each step of your move, organize the decluttering process, pack and unpack boxes, and finally organize your new home to optimize your storage space.
2. Sort out
Moving is the perfect time to sort through your belongings. Take the opportunity to get rid of anything you no longer use or like.
Be aware of the size of your new home. If you're moving to a smaller home, make sure you have enough space for your most precious items. If you don't have enough space, consider renting storage space for items you can't afford to throw away.
By eliminating the superfluous, you'll lighten your workload, reduce your moving costs, and improve the efficiency of your new space.
Sorting can be a daunting task, but if you take it step by step, it should be much easier. You can start by sorting one room at a time, or by category of object (clothes, books, toys, etc.). Be realistic. Don't keep items you haven't used in over a year, unless they have special emotional value or are seasonal.
In fact, many people like to use the KonMari by Marie Kondo. His decluttering method is a popular approach to sorting objects according to their emotional value. Take each object in your hands and ask yourself if it still brings you joy. If the answer is no, it's time to say goodbye.
3. Intelligent packaging
Packing is a crucial aspect of moving. To avoid breakage, loss and delay, smart packing is essential.
Use quality boxes, protective materials such as bubble wrap, blankets, or cushions, and identify each box clearly.
Label several sides of each box, indicating its contents and the room in which it should be placed. This will save the movers time by orienting them correctly, and will prevent you from having to move your boxes from one room to another after the move.
It's also a good idea to pack items of the same size or use together, for easier storage in your new space.
4. Plan your change of address
There's a lot more to moving than packing personal belongings into boxes. There are many practical aspects to consider, such as cancelling electricity, gas, water, internet or telephone services in your old home, as well as taking out new services in your new home.
It's also essential to plan the transportation of your furniture and belongings. If you use a moving company, make sure you book their service in advance, as their schedule can be busy.
You can change your address with all government departments in one place.
For the provincial : service québécois de changement d'adresse SQCA
For federal : updating your information with the CRA
5. Taking care of yourself
Moving can be a source of stress and fatigue, so it's important to take care of yourself during this period. Take the time to rest, eat well and exercise regularly to relieve stress. Personally, I love yoga, meditation and nature walks. There's nothing like a break to clear your head and recharge your batteries!
You can also enlist the help of friends and family, or call on professional organizers like me! You'll save time and gain peace of mind!
For more advice or to help you organize your move properly, don't hesitate to call on my expertise. Visit the contact section on my website or make an appointment for a free consultation !
