You may be so successful in decluttering and simplifying that you can now move into a smaller place as a result. Good for you!
Keep in mind that moving is way up there on the stress scale. Try to keep things as simple as possible by remembering the following tips for a joyful move.
ONE: Try to keep at least a couple of main rooms chaos-free. In our case, it was the kitchen and the living room. Cleared horizontal places will create a calmness that will you will need at this crazy time.
TWO: Get the floor plan of where you are moving to and measure so you can decide what will go where — and donate and sell the rest. Make up your mind that you are not going to fill your new place with clutter! New home equals new you!
THREE: Decide what can wait until after the move — set your priorities and don’t get bogged down on the unimportant. You can sort and sell books and other things after the move. You can sort papers, scan photos after the move.
FOUR: Think about easy meal prep. Moving is hard enough without adding cooking and doing dishes. Try to keep things very simple and dish-free, or better yet, order some take-out meals.
FIVE: Have an “important” basket or bin on your kitchen counter full of essential moving type stuff and other things you don’t want to misplace in the chaos of moving. Colored duct tape, scissors, sticky notes, pens, your cellphone, important phone numbers, a to-do notebook, packing tape, measuring tape and markers are some of the things I included.
SIX: Accept help — your mind is scattered, and you need people that can give you wise advice and help. Get over the mindset of “I don’t want people to see my chaos.” Who cares? You have the perfect excuse now — you are moving!
SEVEN: Hire someone to do most of the packing and unpacking as well as the moving. I like to do most of the kitchen myself so I can really decide what I want to keep.
EIGHT: Buy some colored duct tape at Ace Hardware – several different colors – mark the boxes and the corresponding rooms they will go in. This will prevent you from having to tell the movers where boxes and furniture go in your new place.
NINE: Keep your evenings relaxing. Don’t overdo. If you wear yourself out by trying to do too much in one day, you won’t be able to think straight. Breathe deep and know that it will all be okay!
TEN: Think minimal when choosing any new furnishings. If you are moving into a smaller place, think about keeping it looking non-crammed.