So the 101 was on respect for all things paper. What else to prepare yourself with before a week of serious packing? Here are some of my favourites through our moves:
Make a list. I love lists! If you don't, at least make one in your head and hope that you'll remember it. I write them down because my memory fails me when my limps are aching. The list should contain the items you want to pack. You don't have to explicitly spell it all out, just categorize them eg. house linens, books (JL's school texts, comics, my French books, cookbooks, and so on), paintings, winter clothes, the likes. The more you can group them, the better organized you will be when you get down to the actual packing. And the better you can imagine packing your stuff, the more you can identify what is required: custom-built wooden crate for paintings, packs of desiccants, bubble wraps, which sizes for your carton boxes, etc.
Make a list. I love lists! If you don't, at least make one in your head and hope that you'll remember it. I write them down because my memory fails me when my limps are aching. The list should contain the items you want to pack. You don't have to explicitly spell it all out, just categorize them eg. house linens, books (JL's school texts, comics, my French books, cookbooks, and so on), paintings, winter clothes, the likes. The more you can group them, the better organized you will be when you get down to the actual packing. And the better you can imagine packing your stuff, the more you can identify what is required: custom-built wooden crate for paintings, packs of desiccants, bubble wraps, which sizes for your carton boxes, etc.
Clear the shite out. You can clear your house anytime in your life. But when you're moving house, you MUST clear your house of useless, even to the point of being obsolete items accumulated since the days of The Karate Kid (the Ralph Macchio one, hello!). Oh you don't have any? Look through your tech accessories: old mobile chargers (of your last four handsets), hideous laptop bags which you never used (nor intend to), that 8-Megabyte thumb-drive (seriously?...); Or how about stationeries? I am very sure you can find some permanent markers that had long dried out. The only thing I will never throw is the first iPod, which was a birthday present from the husband. It still works and who knows if I have a kid who wants his own playlist next time. Even if not the case, I'll keep it nonetheless.
Trim your fingernails. This is of utmost importance to me as it affects the state of happiness in the household for the coming week. The keyword is "trim". Not too short as you want to protect your flesh in case you hit something sharp. And also for that little allowance against chipped nails. Not so long that your nail potentially bends backwards should something heavy unintentionally land on it. Or worse, tears your nail out. Eeeeeeew.
Create a photographic inventory list. Okay, this is not an excuse for photography. You need an inventory list for insurance purposes, and customs clearance if shipping abroad. Those come in the form of written words, which can't really compare to having graphical description of your precious items. Especially precious items like paintings, crystalware, marble table, Persian carpets and such. Oh, you know what? Even if you're not moving but just reading this for fun, may I suggest you take a photo of all your jewelry and stuff? Knock on wood but one never knows when a photo will be most useful, for the insurance guy, or the police... For everything else, purely for inventory sake, just open all cabinets, wardrobes, drawers and take photos in situ. Sometimes you even forget ever owning something!
Trust no one. While moving companies associate themselves with professionalism and integrity, who is to guarantee that a part-timer with the company wouldn't be so fascinated by your belt with that native American Indian metal buckle, and decides to keep as "souvenir"? Sadly, this really happened to us but more on that later. If something is really that valuable, either bring it along with you wherever or open a safe deposit box in the bank for safekeeping. We're not just talking about the blings in your life, but also the documents that matter most. Best is to isolate and remove these items way before the packing begins.
Trim your fingernails. This is of utmost importance to me as it affects the state of happiness in the household for the coming week. The keyword is "trim". Not too short as you want to protect your flesh in case you hit something sharp. And also for that little allowance against chipped nails. Not so long that your nail potentially bends backwards should something heavy unintentionally land on it. Or worse, tears your nail out. Eeeeeeew.
Create a photographic inventory list. Okay, this is not an excuse for photography. You need an inventory list for insurance purposes, and customs clearance if shipping abroad. Those come in the form of written words, which can't really compare to having graphical description of your precious items. Especially precious items like paintings, crystalware, marble table, Persian carpets and such. Oh, you know what? Even if you're not moving but just reading this for fun, may I suggest you take a photo of all your jewelry and stuff? Knock on wood but one never knows when a photo will be most useful, for the insurance guy, or the police... For everything else, purely for inventory sake, just open all cabinets, wardrobes, drawers and take photos in situ. Sometimes you even forget ever owning something!
Trust no one. While moving companies associate themselves with professionalism and integrity, who is to guarantee that a part-timer with the company wouldn't be so fascinated by your belt with that native American Indian metal buckle, and decides to keep as "souvenir"? Sadly, this really happened to us but more on that later. If something is really that valuable, either bring it along with you wherever or open a safe deposit box in the bank for safekeeping. We're not just talking about the blings in your life, but also the documents that matter most. Best is to isolate and remove these items way before the packing begins.
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Reminisce. Yes, this is the time for you to walk around the house, look at your favourite things and ask why they are such. Perhaps it is the beautiful Chinese tea-set from close friends hinting "it's time to get hitched" years ago? Or the kopitiam marble table and chairs where you have all your meals? That cute little patchwork handmade by the MIL which she willingly parted with? Do it now and take your time. Just don't leave it till packing day when people are busy wrapping and taping things up, only to go "Awww... Remember this one, darling?...". Sheesh.
Parting shots. Okay, maybe it's just me. One of the last things I do before really packing up, is to tidy up every room in the house, arrange things the way they've always been, and capture them from different angles, room by room. Especially not to miss out on your favourite parts of the house. We'll never live there anymore so why not keep some photo memories of all the places we once called "home"? It's quite sad if you really think about it. Which is why moving house or relocating is up there on the same emotional level as death in the family or divorce.
I'll take relocating anytime.
Parting shots. Okay, maybe it's just me. One of the last things I do before really packing up, is to tidy up every room in the house, arrange things the way they've always been, and capture them from different angles, room by room. Especially not to miss out on your favourite parts of the house. We'll never live there anymore so why not keep some photo memories of all the places we once called "home"? It's quite sad if you really think about it. Which is why moving house or relocating is up there on the same emotional level as death in the family or divorce.
I'll take relocating anytime.
