You know how everyone usually has one chore that they just absolutely HATE to do? Like taking out the garbage, doing the dishes, mopping, laundry etc. Well, the thing i absolutely dread doing everytime it comes around is not your typical chore. I don’t mind sweeping, cleaning the bathtub or vacumning the floor. The thing i dread most is MOVING.

It seems like everytime i’ve moved to a new house i have collected a mountain of new things and have no idea how it all accumulated. When all put away and organized in my house it doesn’t seem like too much. But the second i start putting my things in boxes i find myself wondering how in the world i have collected so much stuff!

Unless you are lucky and have settled into a home that you know will be yours for the rest of your life, most likely you are going to have to move a few times (or in some cases, a lot of times) in your lifetime. If you are organized and on top of moving, it goes much smoother and is a lot less of a burden.

Here are a few tips to helping your move be a better experience:

• Plan Ahead– Don’t think for a second that you are going to be able to pull off, start to finish, a move in one day. Although you may be able to get everything out of your house in one day, you will probably want to pack boxes starting at least a week before hand. Even if you have a small house, you really have no idea how much stuff you really have. If you want to be smart about your move, plan a head of time and make sure you are prepared.
• Label Every Box– The most terrifying thing about moving is have a stack of boxes in your new home and having NO idea where they go. Having to go through every box to see what is in it to see which room it will be put in. To make the transition easier, make sure you label every box clearly. Write down with permanent marker which room it will go in (i.e. Kitchen, Dining Room) and then what is in it (i.e. Dishes, Towels).
• Get Help– Its okay to get help from others to help you move. Dont be embarrassed to ask! There are plenty of people out there willing to help.  If you have a few more hands to get furniture and boxes into a moving van, the move will go a ton quicker. Its okay to ask family, friends, or wo-workers for help moving. If they are good friends they wont have a problem helping you out. Although you may want to get a brib like pizza or doughnuts for those helping out. 🙂
• Keep Your House Clean– This is an obvious one that sometimes i forget. If you are trying to pack with an unorganized or unclean house, you will come out with an unorganized and unclean move. It takes much longer to pack a house that is unorganized or messy. So to help make the move quicker and less of a hassle, take a couple hours (or a whole day if you need) to organize and deep clean your house. It will make a big difference once you start putting things in boxes!