My daughter in law tried telling me to get started ages ago. I thought I had. I de-cluttered some, painted some furniture that I wanted to move, bought some new furniture and planned where my existing furniture was going to be placed, etc. Now I realise she tried to tell me to start boxing and labelling things I wasn’t using.

OK, I’m paying for that mistake now.

I read through checklists of what to do. I love researching (much better than packing). Some things I learned were:

Consider the pets: when, where, food and water.

Label which room each box should go to. I colour-coded each room with boxes which go there but The Organised Housewife site shows using A4 coloured paper to label and star rating each box based on the priority for unpacking. That’s a useful tip.

Pack a bag of essentials that you can get to easily. (I think this means: wine, coffee, cups, glasses, cookies, crackers and chocolate, but perhaps I need to think this through a bit more…).

Have the bedding, towels, clothes etc, you will need for first 24 hours in one place (big suitcase, I think…).

Gather all your packing materials in one place.

Use help from family and friends. (One thing they can do in the new house is to make the beds.)

Purge as you pack (I’m trying to downsize by about a third inside and more outside). The trouble is I stop to read old letters or look at old photos. It’s great fun, but not helpful for packing.

Use a bin liner garbage bag to wrap of group of hanging clothes and tie it at the top around hangers. It will be easy to hang up again.

Use suitcases with wheels for heavy items.

Take picture of how entertainment appliances and computer systems are connected. Tape cords to packing box.

Get electricity, gas, internet and so on turned on in the new place.

Organise insurance changeover.

Redirect mail if needed

Wow. Why didn’t I start earlier? The Organised Housewife site is brilliant on packing.

Lastly, I think I’d better start planning for the next move now. I love shopping so my new rule is when I buy something new, I must give away something old. Recycling is good; hoarding is bad. 

Wish me luck.

https://theorganisedhousewife.com.au/organising/moving/packing-and-moving-tips/

https://www.houzz.com.au/ideabooks

http://www.realestate.com.au/advice/moving/