Need to move all of a sudden and don’t know where to start? You’re not alone! Whether it’s about work or family, many people find themselves in similarly tight situations. Moving isn’t easy. You’ll find it troublesome to pack while looking for a new home.
However, a last-minute move without prior notice can be even more difficult. You won’t have much time to prepare, and every logistic will prove to be stressful from start to finish. But, this doesn’t mean that you have no chance of success! Here’s how you can complete a move even when you’re in a race against time.
Come Up with a Plan
Contrary to common belief, planning is extremely crucial during a last-minute move. People like to think that it’s a waste of time and that you’re better off packing straight away.
But you shouldn’t underestimate the benefits of having a plan. It helps streamline the operation while preventing possible drawbacks from popping up.
You can create a quick one that includes:
- Writing a summarized to-do list and things that you want to bring.
- Notifying your children’s school and transferring utilities.
- Contacting your insurance company.
- Mapping out the route you’re going to take.
- Scouting for movers if it’s within your budget.
- Grabbing hold of the right packing supplies.
Purge Like It’s The Last Day on Earth
The golden rule of moving: get rid of anything that you don’t need. The last thing you want to do is pack heavy items that you barely bother with or are way past beyond their usefulness. Besides, you won’t have time to pack so you’ll want to bring as little as possible.
Since you won’t have time to hold a garage sale, you should find a charitable organization and donate your items. This could be an easy way to clear out space while still finding some sort of use for your old stuff.
You can also give some of your things to your neighbors. Got extra food? Send them over to your local pantry. Remember, you can just buy most of these things at your new place instead of spending extra to ship them. As for the rest of the stuff that’s left behind, you might have no choice but to toss them away.
Pack a Box of Essentials
Before you go wild with the packing, make sure to prepare a box filled with essentials. Fill it up with things that can make the difference, whether it’s about surviving your first few days in or acting quickly during an emergency.
That said, your survival box must include:
- Toothbrush and toiletries.
- Medications
- Some fresh sets of clothes
- Dinner plates and kitchen utensils
- Chargers and electronic gadgets.
- Important documents
Don’t forget to label this box so you can easily locate and unpack it upon arrival.
Start Packing
Now that you’ve got everything sorted out, it’s time to start packing. Pro tip: don’t think, just pack. But although time isn’t on your side, you shouldn’t forget the basics. Put the heavy and sturdy items at the bottom of a box while you place the lighter ones on top. Another thing, you should carefully wrap breakables with bubble wrap and gently put them inside their respective boxes. Lastly, don’t forget to label. This is important to avoid confusion and delays when unpacking later on. That said, you can mark boxes using a number system, so you don’t waste a lot of time.
Hire Professional Packers
At this point where you’ve got plenty of things going on with so little time, it might be better to entrust the manual job to the professionals. Nowadays, you can easily find movers who also include professional packing in their full-service deals. These experts are efficient in getting the job done without compromising your belongings’ safety. On top of that, they save you time by providing the packing materials and equipment. This allows you to work on other vital aspects regarding your last-minute move.
Ask for Help
As the popular saying goes, ‘no man is an island.’ It never hurts to ask for help. The last thing you want is to be stressed out and tired when your movers arrive. Make it a point to solicit help from family, friends, or neighbors before the day of the move. You might not realize it, but they are surely more than happy to help. Besides, packing isn’t that exhausting of a task as it doesn’t involve lifting heavy furniture and appliances.
Packing last-minute is never a fun experience. With all the hassle and pressure, it’s easy to give up and lose control. But you don’t have to. Take a deep breath. Follow the tips above, one step at a time. You’ll be surprised at how you managed to get organized before your movers arrive.
