Advice
Welcome to our advice section. Every week I answer new questions submitted
by readers on Organizing, Image, Fashion and Event Planning.
You can read my "AddSPACE To Your Life!" column every week
in San Diego's “The Coast News" or read the archived columns
below.
E-mail your questions to advice@addspacetoyourlife.com
Move
is good excuse to toss excess
6-10-2005
Dear
Kathi
Next month my family will be relocating to Florida for my husband’s
new job. I have 2 children and have already begun packing. I read
your column a few weeks ago and wanted to ask you for specific advice
about packing and staying organized while we relocate.
Maria, San Marcos
Maria,
There is never a better time to streamline and simplify your life
than during a major transition. You are in a golden spot to weed through
your possessions and eliminate the items that you don’t really
need or love. You deserve to start clean. Alleviate the headaches
associated with too many possessions. Create new space in your life
and release the old possessions that no longer serve you.
Think about these rules of thumb when deciding what to toss or pack
during this process:
• you forgot you had it until you re-found it while packing
• you haven’t used it in the past year
• your children stopped playing with it months ago
• It has seen better days and/or is broken
• you never really liked it but it was a gift from a dear friend
or relative
• it no longer reflects your lifestyle
• no one will miss it when it’s gone
• it’s labels indicate that it is expired
• it came with the house
Keep in mind that each item represents time spent packing and unpacking.
Even if your move is completely facilitated and subsidized by your
husband’s employer, you are still responsible for assigning
a space for each possession within your new home.
Gather all kitchen items from around the house including the casserole
in the garage, the BBQ set out back and the waffle iron stuffed in
your hall closet. Get the picture? As you pack each item, wipe it
off, make sure it works and, if it passes all of the rules listed
above, pack it for the move.
Collect items from each bathroom and group them together. This provides
an opportunity to see the enormity of your collection and will help
you decide to pack or purge.
Group, separate and classify your book collection. When your books
reach their new home, they will be organized and ready to begin anew
in their respective rooms. Pack them into smaller boxes so that you
can move them around yourself if necessary.
If you are in charge of packing for the move, pack like a professional.
Gather boxes, packing material, packing tape and large felt tip markers.
Label each box on the top and sides with the final room destination.
Use large boxes for lightweight items like linens. Use pillows and
towels to protect your fragile items within boxes. Place heavier items
in the bottom of the box.
Realize that when you move across the US, movers rarely keep pace
with your travel agenda. Your furniture often lags behind 3-7 days
after you arrive. Pack enough clothes and toys to keep your family
comfortable for up to two weeks. You might need to stay a few nights
in a hotel or your new home before your furniture arrives.
Pack these items to move with your family (not the moving company):
pillows, a small blanket, a week’s worth of clothing for each
family member, books, magazines and games, hearty snack foods, your
personal address book, stamps for the kids to mail postcards, pen
and notepad, mini-first aid kit and a personal hygiene kit for each
family member.
You will have a brand new space when you arrive in Boston. Take advantage
of this opportunity to create a fresh look. Give yourself permission
to give up the items that no longer fit your taste. Let loose and
toss the old shower curtain. Buy new décor after you move.
It is invigorating and healthy to create new beginnings. Have fun!
Please
submit your questions to:
advice@addspacetoyourlife.com
.
San Diego Professional Organizer
Site
Map
