If you’ve been following along for a while, you know I’m looking to buy a home. I feel like I moved so many times in and after college, and have finally found an area where I would like plant roots; now I just need to find the actual house! Over the years, I’ve come up with a few tips on how to make moving less stressful. Whether you’re moving across the country or just around town, everyone can benefit from a few packing tips! Here are a few I’ve gathered over the years:

1. Pack Light

Before any big move, I reassess every item I own. It’s hard being a recovering shopaholic and wanting (so badly) to be a minimalist. Let’s just say I have a love-hate relationship with Marie Kondo-ing my entire life. I divide this part into sections: closet, books, miscellaneous, kitchen, and bathroom. From there, you need to be as ruthless as possible and have a minimal amount of material belongings! Get rid of everything that you know you will never really get around to using or needing and keep only what makes you feel good. Give things away to people that can give your belongings a fresh new life by donating locally or gifting to loved ones and friends. Trust me, you will thank yourself later when you’ve only got a few boxes to pack before your big move!

2. Pack Tight

One of my favorite life hacks is rolling up my clothes when packing! This method is tried and true. The tighter you roll up your clothes, the more space you will have in your luggage for more goods! I have definitely learned this the hard way (i.e sitting on suitcases that refuse to zip up and close.) I won’t lie to you guys, most times my laziness kicks in and haphazardly throwing all my outfits into bags can be so much more appealing than taking the time to roll up each article of clothing, but this tip has saved me from headaches all over. Compacting all of your clothes with the rolling method means you can slip tiny things between the cracks or roll up fragile items like glassware! As someone with a seemingly never ending closet, rolling up all of my clothes has allowed me to stay fashionable in every city.

3. Move Right

If your relocation is more than just a suitcase and carry on, consider onboarding others to help you. It takes a village, and the greatest thing I have learned is that you do not have to do it all on your own. I can’t tell you the amount of times my parents and loved ones have helped me load and unload a million boxes into my car. You will save so much time and energy if you don’t go at it alone. Gift yourself the peace of mind and hire an expert moving company like Gameday Moving Services Houston to take the load off. Their services include packing, heavy lifting labor, storage options, and local and long distance moving! Moving is never a walk in the park, but it can be if you invest in the right people: in this case, experienced movers that will transport your whole life with care and ease. They even supply packing materials, offer assembly/disassembly of furniture, and move in/out cleaning services! If you’re located in the Houston, The Woodlands, or Sugarland area of Texas and moving 50-100+ miles outside of the city, consider hiring Labor Movers in Houston that are reliable and timely! You’ll be set up with a Relocation Manager that will work one on one with you to ensure a smooth move. The best tip I can offer is do yourself a favor and save yourself from any potential headaches.

4. Stay Bright

We all have mixed feelings about relocating. You may be feeling anxious, worried, and most definitely stressed with everything going on. You could also be on the other end of the spectrum with emotions like excitement, joy, and wonder. I know from my personal experience it is always a mixture of both. The only thing I am sure of is that everything is going to be okay in the end. Take a deep breath and trust yourself. Once the actual move is over, you will have the opportunity to explore your new town on your own terms. You’ll find new favorite coffee shops, meet new tribes of wonderful people, and discover hidden gems all over your city. It will take some time to acclimate, but take it day by day and you’ll get there soon enough. Wherever your next adventure is, I hope you remember the beauty of movement and allow yourself to slowly fall in love with your new stomping grounds.

Cheers – MP