Moving? A professional organizer can help

I have moved a whopping 13 times since graduating from college. Some of those moves were small, and some of them were big cross-country moves. Most involved tears and frustration, but many also involved joy and important memories.  

Each time I moved, moving became easier and harder. It got easier because I learned more about how to manage the process. It got harder because I had accumulated more stuff — for my first cross-country move, I was able to move everything I owned from Boston to San Francisco in my Ford Focus. For my second cross-country move, I needed a professional mover, someone to crate a large painting so it could be shipped safely, auto transport to move 2 cars, and an RV to drive my dog across the country (because there was no way she was getting on a plane). 

We all know how stressful moving can be. There are so many tasks to check off your list, on top of the emotions you may feel about leaving your old home behind. It can also be tedious (hello, packing another moving box.) But what you may not know is that you don’t have to manage your move alone. 

As a professional organizer, I’ve helped dozens of clients move with less stress. If you have a move coming up, here’s how an organizer can help: 

Move planning 

A lot of my clients feel overwhelmed when they realize a move is coming. I help them make a plan for what they need to accomplish and when, breaking the move down into small chunks to make it more manageable. I also help them prioritize what has to be done before the move, and what can be done after the move. Once we come up with a plan, some of the stress of the unknown starts to go away.

Space planning  for downsizing 

If you are downsizing into a smaller home, it can be hard to know what to move into your new space. I take measurements and create floor plans so clients know which pieces of furniture and belongings can go to their new home, and what won’t fit. And then we can make a plan for what to do with everything they’re not taking — that could include selling, donating, or coordinating with a junk hauler to remove extra items.

Mindful decluttering

You might have heard that you should always declutter or get rid of things before you move. But the truth is that there are pros and cons to decluttering when you are preparing for a move. 

The pros: you won’t spend money moving things you don’t want and you’ll get a fresh, uncluttered start in your new space. If you are moving into a smaller home, decluttering before you move will help you avoid overcrowding your new home with too many boxes. 

But there are times when pre-move decluttering doesn’t make sense. If you are highly stressed about your move, you may not be in the best state of mind to be making decisions about letting things go, especially when it comes to sentimental items or photos. Or if you have to move unexpectedly, you may not have enough time to deal with decluttering before you have to vacate your home.  

If you are considering pre-move decluttering, I can help you decide if, when, and what to declutter for your move. If you do decide to declutter, I can help you drop off donations or sell items you are not moving with you. 

Packing

Packing is a time-suck, but it’s also really important to do it right. If you don’t pack your belongings properly, you risk having them arrive broken. 

I can help you get the right packing materials and securely pack your belongings. Additionally, I’ll pack your belongings in an organized way instead of just dumping your drawers into boxes. You’ll know what’s in every box so it’s easier to put things away when you unpack.

Unpacking

I can’t tell you how many clients contact me and say “I moved into my house two years ago, but I still have a bunch of unpacked boxes.” And I completely understand why. Moving is so exhausting. You’ve put so much effort into getting out of your old place, and you now have to set up a whole new house. At this point, many of us just run out of steam. 

If you want a hand setting up your new place, I can help you get to “done” so much faster. Unpacking isn’t simply taking your belongings out of your boxes —- it’s organizing your new home from the start. I take the time to find the right places for everything so it’s smooth and easy for you. (I’ll also get all of the boxes and packing material you don’t need anymore out of your hair.) 

And if we find that you packed more than comfortably fits in your new space, we can start thinking about storage solutions or work on more decluttering so you don’t have lots of unopened boxes lurking in your new spot. 

Emotional support and accountability

With all of the decisions and changes involved in a move, it’s easy to get physically and emotionally exhausted when you are moving. Remember, you don’t have to do it on your own. If you’re planning a move, I invite you to schedule a free consultation with me to learn more about how I can help.