The sooner you start packing, the easier a move will be, says Georgetown Moving & Storage. Six to eight weeks ahead, start cleaning out the so-called storage areas — closets, attic, garage, and basement — using the keep/donate/trash sorting method. Once anything you want to donate is culled out (four to six weeks ahead), contact ClothingDonations.org for a pickup and procure packing supplies for the stuff you want to keep. Two to four weeks ahead, pack up all of your inessentials, labeling everything so you can integrate it into the new home quickly. A week out, pack up anything you’ll want to have at your fingertips the minute you land in your new home.
Author: Jordank
Editorial Coordinator
Moving? Don’t Forget to Declutter
The average American will move 11.4 times in his or her lifetime, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And the Organizing Blog thinks that summer 2019 may be more mobile than most — those orange box trucks seem to be everywhere this season, taking people and their stuff across town and across the country.
One thing is certain: Moving is not easy, and it gets harder as you accumulate more stuff. Everything you keep has to go into boxes and onto that truck, and the more you have, the longer it takes and the more it costs. There is a solution, however; and that’s to keep less stuff. #Declutter before you move, and the process will be (somewhat) less of a burden.
A pre-relocation #decluttering differs from an everyday decluttering (although if you’ve followed the Organizing Blog’s advice consistently, you’ll already have limited your possessions to only the essentials). For one thing, says The Art of Happy Moving, you’ll want to declutter by category rather than room so that you pack like items together.
Begin with the heavy stuff — books, records, etc. Even if you’re an avid collector, the less of these weighty items you keep, the better your friends/movers will manage. Have extra boxes and bags available as you pack; seal up the things you want to “Keep,” sort out what you want to “Donate,” and “Trash” anything that too broken, outdated or dilapidated to use immediately.
Set the donation bags and boxes aside and contact ClothingDonations.org for a pickup. Once some of the trashed and donated items are out of the way, you’ll have more room to carefully pack up the things you want — and likely be ready to #declutter more of the things you don’t want more aggressively.
Pack three or four boxes of keepers per day, Nourishing Minimalism suggests, and start well ahead of the move so that you have plenty of time to get the place cleaned when the zero hour finally arrives. It’s toward the end of the packing phase when things can get frantic; random objects will wind up in boxes together — some essential, most not.
While it’s an incredible chore that brings lots of stress, moving is the perfect opportunity to edit nonessential stuff out of your life for good. When you unpack only the things you need and cherish in your new home, you’ll be glad you decluttered before the move.
Cool off With a Refreshing Spritz
When you’re overheated, there’s nothing like a few classic summertime activities to refresh and rejuvenate. Go for a swim in a pool, lake or ocean, or run through a sprinkler. Make a spritz out of peppermint tea to keep in the refrigerator for a quick cooldown, WonderHowTo says, or make your own concoction of water, citrus, mint, cucumber and other botanicals. If you’re really feeling the heat, apply cool towels to pulse points on your wrists, ankles and neck. Or just throw in the towel for a couple of hours and enjoy a show in the air-conditioned shade — or, darkness — of a movie theater.
Seek out Shade to Stay Cool
You can keep your cool by blocking some of that hot summer sun, says Wanderlust. Draw the curtains or blinds to keep from superheating your living quarters, and seek out a shade tree, awning, tent or parasol when outdoors. If you’re outdoors and on the move, wear a wide-brimmed hat, light colors, and breathable fabrics such as linen and cotton to bring your own shade with you. Short on summer styles? Look for fashions and other warm-weather supplies at thrift and secondhand stores supplied by donations to ClothingDonations.org.
Hydrate to Keep Your Cool
Proper hydration is key to comfort when the temperatures soar, says LifeHacker. Water is like a coolant that keeps the body cool — and if you’re sweating it out, it must be replaced. Drink plenty of water (preferably uncarbonated water, which has proven more effective for hydration). Don’t rule out other beverages when you’re trying to keep cool, though; even coffee and beer (in moderation) can aid in hydration. Coffee and other caffeinated beverages tend to increase the body’s temperature, however, temporarily thwarting hydration’s cooling effect, while excessive alcohol intake depletes the body of fluids and nutrients.