Tips and Tricks to Simplify Your Solo Move

Are you getting ready for a solo move? Regardless of the moving distance and number of rooms to pack up, the whole process can look pretty easy until you get started. 

Suddenly, you’re feeling overwhelmed and wondering what ever made you think that it’s a good idea to move. Unfortunately, you’re tackling the move by yourself, which means you can’t turn to friends and family for help. However, managing a solo move effectively can be pretty easy if you follow a few steps.

Strategies for Handling a Solo Move

You can spend days aimlessly wandering around your place, looking at everything you need to pack up for the move. After one trip around your place, you may feel like giving up. 

After all, wouldn’t it be easier to donate everything to charity and buy all new? Of course, the answer is yes, but replacing everything you own is going to be expensive. A better solution is to work out a strategy to simplify the move.

Purge Before Packing

Do you even know what’s packed away in boxes at the back of your closet? What about the stuff buried in drawers and cupboards? Now’s the perfect time to start going through your belongings and getting rid of stuff you never use. Chances are, if you don’t remember you own it, you’re probably not going to need or use it.

Go through your clothes, as pretty much everyone has stuff they never wear. What about the décor you get as presents? If you’re not displaying it now, you’re probably not going to stick it on a shelf at your new pad.

Take all of this stuff and box it up. You can hold a yard sale. What doesn’t sell can go into a charitable donation box. Any money you make off the yard sale can go towards your moving costs.

Pack One Room at a Time

Trying to pack everything all at once is overwhelming, whether it’s a studio apartment or a multi-story home. Taking it slow and easy is usually the best way to go. Packing up one room at a time can make the process a little more manageable.

What do you need to get started? You’re going to need boxes, packing tape, markers, and some old bedding and paper.

Once each box is filled, tape it closed and label what room it belongs in. This will make unpacking easier since you’ll know where everything goes without opening every box to find your dishes. Use the packing paper to wrap up breakable items and to fill in any gaps in the box.

You can always purchase boxes from the moving company or scrounge some up for free. Grocery stores are usually a great place to score old boxes and even small crates. Old bedding can help protect fragile items during the move. Newsprint also works great as long as you don’t mind a little ink getting on your hands.

Don’t Overstuff the Boxes

Remember, you’re tackling a solo move, which means you’re doing most of the lifting. Even if you use a moving service, you’re still lifting boxes at least as far as the front door. So, keep weight in mind as you’re filling the boxes.

Overstuffing a box can also make it less sturdy and you don’t want it breaking open during the move. A good tip is to periodically check the box’s weight as you’re packing. Just lift it now and then to see how heavy it’s getting. You may end up with more boxes than you planned but at least you aren’t worried about straining your back every time you pick one up.

Load Boxes in Order

What order should you load your boxes in? You want to load the boxes you’re planning on first unpacking last in the vehicle. This way, these are the first boxes you drag out of the vehicle. 

If your move takes all day, you may not have the energy to get everything unloaded or unpacked. You’ll still have your essentials in your new place and can leave the rest until the next day.

So, what should you pack in these boxes? Think about the items you’re going to need for your first day and night in your new place. This typically includes a change of clothes, toiletries, and some dishes. Even if you order take-out, you may still need things like silverware, plates, and glasses.

Transport What You Can

If it’s a small move, you know around the block or across town, you may be able to load everything up in your vehicle. Even if you’re renting a moving van or truck, it’s probably only going to take you one day.

Long-distance moves are a little different. You can still rent a moving truck. If you own a vehicle, you may be able to use the moving truck to tow your car. However, if you’re flying things can be a little more complicated. 

Now, you’re relying on a moving service to get your belongings to your new address. This is when you want to pack your essentials in your luggage. Even if it’s not a carry-on, you’ll still have what you need for a day or so before your other belongings arrive.

Memorize Your New Address

You may be surprised at how difficult it can be to remember a new address, especially if you lived at your old place for years. Writing down your new address is an easy way to avoid any confusion. You don’t want to give the movers your old address by mistake.

If you’re hauling your stuff, the last thing you want is to get lost with everything you own crammed in the back seat. This way, you can program your GPS or go old school and ask for directions if you end up lost.

Solos Moves Don’t Need to be Complicated

With a little planning, you can simplify your move, even if you’re tackling it without help. Starting a few days before your moving date can help reduce a lot of the stress. 

Go through your stuff and pack one room at a time. Don’t forget to label the boxes, as this will make unpacking less of a hassle. On top of this, creating a checklist of tasks and prioritizing essential items will keep you organized and ensure a smoother moving process.