First of all, don’t panic! Take a deep breath, take a walk through your current home, try to observe as much as you can, and create a strategy. You don’t have room for distractions, so focus and be efficient, and take our handy tips into consideration.
Even though you might think that making an inventory list of all your belongings will consume your already limited timeframe for packing, the fact is, making a list will help you be more efficient. When you write it down, you create a clearer picture of the belongings in your possession. The bottom line, an inventory list can save you time and increase your efficiency.
Start with your kitchen and list the items like microwave, toaster, blender, and coffee-maker. Do the same thing in the rooms of your home. You may add devices like TV, stereo, computer, laptop, vacuum cleaner, iron and so on. After listing the equipment, you can start with the other belongings, sorting them by size and priority.
Having an inventory list might be helpful even after you move to a new residence and have to organize the unpacking process. Just going through the list, you can be sure that everything you’ve packed is undamaged and delivered to your new house. If you’ve properly labeled the boxes, you will also know in advance in which room to put every item that you unpack.
Here is one additional tip: besides the list, you can also take pictures of all the items that will go into your new home, or at least the ones with the most significant value. If something goes wrong, for example, during transport, you can always call the crew providing you with moving services and show them your list and photos. That way, the problem could be solved with less stress and complications.
Quick packing requires a strict approach toward the stuff you own. You don’t have much time to hesitate about keeping something or not. You have to be honest with yourself. Take a good look at a specific item, regardless of whether it’s a piece of furniture, clothes, or a device. If you did not use it in a year, you will most likely not use it in your new residence either. On the other hand, if there are some things that you don’t want to give or throw away, but you can’t bring with you right now, storage might be a perfect solution.
After you’ve decided what won’t be a part of your new household, estimate the condition of those items. If they are functional and can still be used, put them in the “Donation” pile. For example, find out where you can donate clothes to the homeless before you move. Do the same thing with everything else you want to give away. There are a lot of people who would be more than happy and thankful to own the things you no longer want or need. However, if something is damaged, broken or does not work, put it in the “Throwaway” pile. Consequently, everything else goes into the “Stays” pile.
When you have to pack quickly, every extra pair of hands is more than welcome. That is why you should ask your family and friends to help you if you decided not to hire professional packers. Ask your helpers if they could organize some part of the transport, too. For example, they could find some shelters, organizations, charities, or foundations that will accept the stuff you want to donate and transport it there.
Help from your family and friends is also a chance to spend some quality moments with them. Being surrounded by your loved ones will make packing a fun activity for all. If you want to kill two birds with one stone, throwing a fun packing party might be a perfect chance to say goodbye to your dearest ones before you move away while taking care of the tedious packaging process.
Be sure that you have enough packing materials. When you pack in a hurry, the easiest option is to buy all the necessary supplies. You can purchase them in specialized stores or directly from professional movers, knowing that the boxes are brand new and durable. Besides boxes, you will also require plastic bags, bubble wrap, paper, and duct tape.
On the other hand, If you don’t have the time to do a supply run, there are numerous alternative and free cushioning and padding materials scattered around your home, such as pillows, blankets, towels, newspapers, etc.
If it’s possible, try to be practical. It’s not mandatory to put everything into boxes. Use plastic bags as much as you can. They are flexible and you can downsize them. For example, don’t take your clothes off the hangers. Leave them hanging and put them in a plastic bag. You’ll just have to make a small hole at the bottom of the bag so that the top of the hangers could go through.
Remember to fill every free space and pocket of your backpacks, suitcases, and bags with some smaller and non-fragile stuff. Fragile and bigger belongings, like pictures and lamps, you can wrap with towels and blankets.
Even though you have to pack quickly, long-distance relocation will last at least a few days. During that period, you will still require some essential things – towels, cosmetics, cutlery, coffee maker. Leave these things aside, but have in mind that you will need some box or a bag for them when the relocation day comes. You are going to need this stuff soon rather than later in your new residence, so keep them in an essentials bag that will travel with you instead of in a moving truck.
Relocating in a hurry takes a lot of nerves. That is why you have to find a way to overcome moving stress. Give yourself some space and make a plan. Quick packing is all about good organization. You can do it by yourself or with professional assistance. If you’d like to pack with maximum efficiency in a minimum of time, you can hire professional packers to do all the work and save you from unnecessary stress.