How to Create a Packing Plan That Works

                                                                  

 Intro
Moving is exciting, packing is not
Yes, you can plan for packing. It doesn’t have to be packing frenzie, with the right game plan, you may actually enjoy it. 
I repeat, this does not have to be overwhelming, as long as you create a plan
Mark Your Calendar
The day you find out when you’re moving, mark it on a physical calendar (or digital if that’s your thing). This will help you visualize how much time you have.
When you set a date, urgency becomes real.
Remove the Unpackable
Declutter, throw stuff away, get rid of everything that won’t go in a box (unless it’s furniture)
Create a List of Packing Supplies
Have clarity now? Cool. Now that you know exactly what you have and you’re taking with you, figure out what you need to pack it up.
What do you already have? (boxes, scissors, tape, friends and family, packing snacks, children who are old enough to help, bubble wrap)
Know what you have? Know what you don’t have? Make a list of what to buy.
Brace Yourself: It’s Time to Make Your Packing List
Give yourself time and treat yourself to a glass of wine, it’s time to make your packing list
It’s basically an inventory of what you own. You don’t have to count every t-shirt and every stray pen, but get a general understanding of what you have.
Additional list: what you will need immediately when you arrive. You will want to pack those differently.
Give Yourself a Sanity Room
Leave one room untouched while packing.
Be smart about which room you choose, which one do you use most? Office? Kitchen? Up to you. Keep it intact.
However! Do what you can to prep to pack it - get boxes ready, pre-label them, etc.
Pack the Stuff You Won’t Need First
Pack away the superfluous stuff
Keep the stuff you will need immediately clearly marked and accessible
Takeaway: using these step will significantly improve your packing experience. Don’t make packing so hard on yourself. Happy Packing

When it comes time to actually move, leave it to us (call for a free quote).

Moving is exciting. You’re off to a new place with new neighbors and friends, a new job and a new city to explore. It’s a chance for a fresh start. You know what’s not exciting? Packing. Most people put this part of a move off and as a result find themselves packing in a frenzie until all hours of the night. Packing doesn’t have to be that stressful!  As long as you create a plan, packing won’t be as overwhelming as you think. Follow these tips on how to pack correctly for stress free packing experience.
Mark Your Calendar
Time has a way of sneaking up on us. Yesterday was a month ago, but suddenly moving day is tomorrow! Cue freak out! Avoid this scenario by keeping close tabs on your calendar the month of your move. The moment you find out when you’re moving, mark it on a physical calendar (or digital if that’s your thing). This will help you visualize how much time you have to clean, pre-pack, have a going away party.  Once you have set a date, the urgency of your move will kick you into action and you will be primed to become a packing ninja!
Remove the Unpackable
Apart from moving day, you may also consider marking your calendar with declutter days or weekends a few weeks prior to moving day. This is a great pre-moving activity that can make packing a lot easier. Start by deciding what you will donate or throw away. Create a pile of stuff that you plan to donate (like that hello kitty toaster or that White Snake t-shirt with holes in it that you’ve been meaning to get rid of for literally decades) and another pile of stuff you plan to sell at your garage sale(your VHS collection and that bright pink lava lamp that will make some college student cry with joy). This would also be a good time to figure out if there are larger items you want to sell on Craig’s List so that you have ample time to find a buyer before your move.
Create a List of Packing Supplies
How to plan for packing? You ask? Now that you know exactly what you have and what you’re taking with you, figure out what you need to pack it up.  Before you start buying up Walmart’s entire supply of duct tape and sharpies, first take an inventory of what you already have. Most folks have things like boxes, scissors, tape, packing snacks, bubble wrap and towels(that can be used as cushioning) already in their home.  Don’t forget to include the human factor on your list of “supplies”. If you have friends, family or children who are old enough to help with the move, you may be able to save yourself some time, money and back ache. Once you have a list of what you have, then you can make a list of the things that you need to buy.
Brace Yourself: It’s Time to Make Your Packing List
Get into your favorite, most comfortable chair, put your feet up and treat yourself to a glass of wine because it’s plan for packing time!  Where to start? With a moving checklist, of course! While it is not necessary to count every t-shirt and every stray pen, it’s a good idea to get a general understanding of what you have. Organize your list by room and list items in the order in which you plan to pack them that makes the most sense to you. For example, in the case of your bedroom, you’ll probably pack your bed sheets las along with the clothes and other items you’ll need for when you arrive at your new home. While things like jewelry, your massive shoe collection and single socks can be packed up right away.
Give Yourself a Sanity Room
Packing can become very chaotic very quickly. One of the best packing tips you can implement is to reserve a sanity room. It’s a good idea to leave one room untouched while packing. Make sure the room you designate as “the sanity room” is one you use the most. Whether it be a work space, the kitchen or your bedroom, keep that room intact until you have the rest of the rooms packed up. You can still carry out pre-packing tasks for your sanity room such as getting boxes ready, pre-labeling and cleaning.
Pack the Stuff You Won’t Need First
This is a no-brainer, sure, but you’d be surprised what zaney things people do under stress. Don’t be that person! Know what to pack first! Keep a head on your shoulders and pack the stuff you don’t have an immediate need for (like photo albums, your miniature turtle collection and your dust-collecting books) first. On the same token, make sure that the items you will need on moving day are easily accessible by labeling boxes in which you have stored those items clearly. 
Conclusion
Packing is stressful, chaotic and can easily get out of hand. Don’t be an unhappy packer! Move without procrastinating and plan ahead instead! That way you can focus on the new life that’s ahead of you! Want to be a happy mover too? When you have a moving date in mind, leave it to the      san francisco professional movers at Moving Forward to do it for you! Give us a call for a FREE quote!