Turns out my new home has a lot less storage space so rather than let it all stay piled up somewhere I sharpened my decision making skills and pared down even more.  At this stage it gets tough because most of the items are ones I love and use.  However there are three parts to this equation.

Clutter = anything you don’t love or use OR have the space to store.

So out it went.  And you know what, now that’s its gone, I don’t miss any of it.

In fact it feels great!  So great in fact that this load above was the first of two in my new house!  Just when I thought I couldn’t get it down even more than I have, I went through again and added more to the pile.

Best feeling in the world!  Well okay maybe not THE best but it’s up there :)

Do you have long forgotten piles of stuff that have been sitting there for some time taking up precious space in your home?  Why not take a pass at purging some of it today and then after you feel the high of that, go through it again and again and again. You’ll be so glad you did! :)

What are you going to part with today?

I’d love to see YOUR purge pile so email me (orgjunkie (at) hotmail (dot) com) a picture of it with My Purge Pile in the subject line so I can check it out.  In my effort to get others “hooked” along with me, I’m going to select one person from those emails to personally send a copy of Peter Walsh’s DVD, It’s All Too Much, which is a step by step guide for decluttering and bringing organization to every room in your home.

I so know you can do this!

I’ll make the email cut off Monday at 4:00 pm pst so be sure to send me your email before then.  Just know that by emailing me your purge picture you are giving me permission to use it in future blog posts although you can remain anonymous if you’d like.

Purge power!

Keep the purging going even after you move is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

Yep that’s right, Glad Press’n Seal!  I gleaned this fantastic advice from a reader who was kind enough to leave it in a comment for me on my how do I move my jewelry post.   Oh my word, this one required a super big happy dance and then some!  I simply wrapped my DIY jewelry board up in this sticky stuff and then packed it away in a box.  When I got to my new home all I had to do was unwrap it and hang it up.  No having to fuss with each piece of jewelry.  So easy!!

My jewelry didn’t even budge…completely stayed tangle free!

So once I figured out how terrific this product was for keeping contents in place I used it to cover many of my other containers.   Here is one of my utensil “drawers” in action.

before:

after:

So simple!!

Here are a few other jewelry suggestions I received and used.  Seriously best readers evah!

Using an ice cube tray with a lid to pack some of my more delicate pieces of jewelry.

And using a paper towel holder (cut down to fit) for the jewelry I was taking with me on the plane.  Brilliant!

Moving is so much work but utilizing simple tips like the ones above certainly made it that much easier for me.  I hope it helps some of you as well!

PS:  Just in case you’re wondering, nope I don’t have any affiliation with Glad whatsoever.

Related Posts:

The Ultimate Collection of Moving Tips!

Organizing a Move

A moving tip that made life so much easier! is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

image credit: shutterstock

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve found several terrific moving posts from around blogland that have been helpful and  I wanted to compile them here for anyone else in the midst of moving.  I’ll still be sharing my own tips sometime soon but in the meantime I do hope you enjoy these links here.

10 Best Shortcuts to Get Your House Ready for a Move ~ @ Buttoned Up

Free Moving Label Kit ~ @ World Label

Moving as Sanctification Part One and Part Two and Part Three ~ @ Extravagant Grace

An Essential Checklist for Moving into a New Home ~ @ Simple Mom

The Bullet List {Moving Tips} ~ @ The Mother Huddle

Professional Organizer Moving Tips ~ @ Organize Right Now

The Start-to-Finish Guide for Moving to a New Place ~ @ Lifehacker

A Successful Move ~ @ Unclutterer

The Ultimate Moving Checklist for Families ~ @ Frugal Mama

Awesome Printable Moving Checklist and Planner ~ @ Squawkfox

Is It Possible To Feel Organized While Moving? – 6 Tips to Help ~ @ Org Junkie (guest blogger)

Podcast ~ Preparing Your Home for Sale ~ @ The Organized Woman Show

I just love these fun free printable Change of Address Postcards and Free Moving Cards ~ @ Executive Homemaker

Free moving label printables ~ @ Martha Stewart

A moving tip that made life so much easier ~ @ Org Junkie

Packing Labels – Free Download ~ @ The Project Girl

Professional Organizer’s Blog Carnival ~ Moving Edition Part One and Part Two

If you know of any great moving links I’ve missed, please feel free to leave the link in the comments for us.  Thanks!

The Ultimate Collection of Moving Tips! is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

When moving you are truly in a state of mayhem and chaos.

The reason being is every item you own is placed inside of moving boxes and no longer resides where it used to be. Therefore, it is a common and natural feeling while planning a move, to feel as though you are totally disorganized while moving.

But the reality is….all of your belongings are just in a temporary state of transition from one home to the next, which is why moving feels like such an unorganized event.

‘By realizing this alone, you will feel better. You can stop putting pressure on yourself to be perfectly organized while moving.”

The good news are, there are some simple tips that can help take stress away and help make you feel more organized while moving.

#1:  Buy a bunch of brand new, high quality moving boxes…for several reasons.

a) New boxes are easier to pack and seal, and they don’t smell like Bologna or some other item from the grocery store.

b) New boxes are easier to stack and they won’t topple over, which cuts down the chances of breakage and of injury.

c) New boxes can be completely sealed and labeled, and maybe when you get to the new home, they will be stored away for a long period of time. You don’t want to store clothing or books in a box that might have the lingering fragrance of soap or food smells.

d) If you hire movers, they can work faster by stacking and carrying boxes that are uniform in shape and size.

#2: Label every single box, so that when you get to the new home, you don’t have to “guess” what’s inside each one! This helps decrease the time you need to unpack your home and makes packing easier too.

#3: Seal the boxes well, with good tape to make sure that they don’t pop open in the moving truck, or worse…when someone is carrying the box. You wouldn’t want a man from the moving company to have a moving box pop open, and some of your nice clothing falls on the sidewalk.

#4: Make an inventory list of what you are moving, not just because you may need it for insurance purposes, but also because it can be a “checklist” to make sure that you leave nothing behind.

#5: Also make a “checklist” of things that need to be done, such as disconnecting phone and electric at one home, and reconnecting at the new home. Also a list of companies and people who need your new address, as well as many magazine subscriptions. By the way, the mail order catalogs that you receive always say: John Doe OR Current Resident, because they are NOT first class mail, and they do not forward automatically, so your L.L Bean and other catalogs will start going to the new occupant at your old address. When you know you will be moving, start saving those catalogs, then you can notify each company, either by mail, phone, fax, or e-mail, about your new address!

#6: Don’t get stressed, be calm, and take your time, both planning as well as packing. Try to listen to nice, uplifting, instrumental music while packing and making preparations for the move! To have the local or national news blaring on the television while you are packing can be a distraction, it is more enjoyable to listen to Mozart or even Movie Themes and Show Tunes!

So, it is completely possible to plan and carefully make a move without being stressed and disorganized. Think of it as an adventure, and don’t let anything get you upset…you are moving into a new chapter in the book of your life.

Even though it may not feel like you are not being organized while moving, you can feel better knowing that this state of flux is a natural part of moving and does not mean that you are disorganized. Relax, follow these tips, and everything will turn out great.

Kirstie Berzanski is President and Founder of Moving Box Delivery, a company dedicated to providing the same high quality moving boxes and moving supplies that professional movers use. Kirstie is also co-owner of Discount Movers; a moving company in Southern California that is proud to have experienced San Diego movers, top ratings in the BBB, lowest rates and an esteemed reputation of excellence for over 14 years.

Is It Possible To Feel Organized While Moving? 6 Tips to Help! is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

Do I leave them on the organizer or do I take them off and package them separately?

My girlfriend suggested packaging each necklace in it’s own Ziploc baggie although I’m still not sure if that would keep them from tangling.

Any suggestions/ideas would be greatly appreciated!

(and yes I know this may seem like a lot of necklaces…it appears organizing isn’t my only addiction…I’m an all or nothing kind of girl what can I say!)

Packing jewelry for a move is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

Laurieann just went through a big move recently and has kindly agreed to share some of her awesome moving tips with my readers.

Moving?

Agh. Sorry. I have an Aunt who seriously loves to move. She loves the de-cluttering, the boxing, the truck-renting, the upacking. She loves it all. She lives in one place for about three years and then starts to feel the moving itch. And she has five kids. She is insane.

I just moved and ugh. I just moved after 12 great years in a great place into my dream home. Hope I’m painting the 12-years-worth of non-moved junk picture for you.

So, here’s what I did and I know it was completely anal retentive of me but I am Organize It Mom! for a reason.

First, I started packing early. I’m pretty sure I was done with 75% of the packing when all of our books were in boxes. I heart books. Know what else I heart? Uniform sized boxes. Wait… picture me saying that the way Homer Simpson says, “Mmmm Doughnuts.” Uniform sized boxes. Oh yeah. I have a lot of books and even though I know some pretty strong fellas (husband included), I did not want to have anyone’s chiropractor bill on my conscience so books only went in the small boxes. It was so much better that way. The fellas who wanted to be tough could lift three while I could still bring in one at a time.

By the way, what is it with fellas wanting to be tough? The collective testosterone of my husband’s friends evoked a “Hey, no problem, we can move your piano. No need to pay movers.”

Anyway, then came the color-coding. You read that right. I color-coded every box. Laura’s all about containers. I’m all about colors. In the new house I had three floors to move into so we used stop-light color-coding: red for the top floor, yellow for the main floor, green for the basement. Then, each room was assigned a number (1 for the first room you encountered on your way in the main entrance, 2 for the second. You get the idea). So, each box had a color-coded, numbered label on it. Everything that wasn’t in a box got a label too: furniture, appliances, etc.

Every box made it into the right room un-opened. How great is that? I was unpacked and totally organized in record time – approximately three working days.

Maybe, just maybe it was overkill. Nah, it was organizing Nirvana.

If you are moving, I’ll totally loan you the color-coded labels idea. Husband thinks I should sell them. Uh, no. Who would buy such a thing? Well, okay… people just like me I guess. Couple of other tips I picked up in this whole process… get moving boxes from Craig’s List under free stuff. So cool! (Caution, you may not get uniform sized boxes that way.) Make friends with people with big muscles and bigger trucks and do favors for them just prior to moving – then supply pizza. Lots of pizza.

GOOD LUCK!

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Thanks Laurieann!  In conjunction with today’s post about moving I’m discussing the book, The Essential Guide to Organizing and Moving, over on my review site AND I’m giving away a copy as well.  To enter just visit Org Junkie’s Product Reviews.

See you over there!

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Related post:

Organizing a move

Getting through a move in one piece + giveaway! is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

image credit: shutterstock

When planning a move the more organized you are during the process the more smoother it will go. There are many steps you can take to reduce your stress level and the chaos that typically is part of any move.

Now having said that, when we bought the house we are currently living in, we had about two weeks from the time we sold our old house to pack up and move into our new home. It was nuts, but thankfully the beauty of using containers made a particularly daunting task somewhat easier. When you use a few hundred containers throughout your house all you have to do to pack it up is pick up the container and pack it up in a box with the contents still in tack. This way on the other end all you have to do is take out the container and place in your new drawer/closet/shelf, etc. Instant organizing!

If you haven’t been as obsessed about using containers as say some freak lady who’s blog you happen to read regularly (who could that be?) then my suggestion is the more you can organize and purge before you move the more you will appreciate it on the other end. As you are packing items up, ask yourself, when was the last time I used this? If your answer was over a year ago, then do yourself a favor and get rid of it. Don’t waste your time and money moving it across town or worse across country. Be realistic and ruthless.

The other bit of advice I have is something my mom did when they moved to Ontario last year. She labelled each box not only with the room name but also a number. Then on a master list she had the number of the box and the contents of what was inside that corresponding box. This is particularly helpful if you are unable to unpack everything right away, making it quick and easy to find what you are looking for.

Preparing a moving checklist of tasks needed to be done before you move is a good idea.  Save time and download one from the internet to help you stay on track. This one that I found looked pretty thorough.

Rather than re-invent the wheel the following is a really great online article with plenty of helpful tips for an organized move. Take a look:

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“It’s Just a Sea of Boxes…”
Helpful Hints for an Organized Move

For many, moving is an exciting event. New home, new job, new environment—the adventures are just around the corner. But, for others, moving can be one of life’s most stressful events. Besides feeling excited, you may also be feeling sad, anxious, and overwhelmed. For various reasons, moving can be an unpleasant experience.

Being organized can alleviate some of the anguish and stress associated with moving. Here are some helpful organizing hints to use while getting ready for ‘Moving Day.’

Create a home for your paperwork

A binder with pocket dividers will work well for the storage and retrieval of all your move-related papers such as contracts, driving directions to new home, and packing lists. Use the pockets for holding wallpaper samples, new address labels, information on your new neighborhood, and any other papers pertinent to your move.

Being Able to Find Important Papers Will Save You Time

Purge before you move

Moving is a great opportunity to see what you own, determine what you would like to take with you and figure out what you can leave behind. Many movers charge by the box. You don’t want to have to pay movers to transport boxes of stuff you never use and don’t need anymore.

Purging Before Moving Will Save You Money and SPACE

Budget your packing time

How long will it take for you to pack up your entire apartment or house? On average, it takes approximately 2-3 months to carefully pack the contents of a home. Start by packing things you don’t use very often or that are decorative such as knick-knacks or holiday dishes. Set a goal to pack 5-10 boxes a week. This will give you the time to pack leisurely as opposed to feverishly…

Setting Packing Goals Will Save You Time

Pack by room

Would it be easy to find your stuff if you randomly threw it into boxes? I don’t think so, either…Developing a packing system is the key to quickly locating and placing your belongings in their new home.

Create a floor plan of your new home as a reference for unloading and unpacking (this can be kept in your binder). Mark each room on the plan with a specific letter or number. You will then write the corresponding letter/number on the boxes that go into that particular room. It is recommended to jot down the general contents of the box as well. This will make it easy for the movers to put your boxes where they belong and for you to find exactly what you need.

For example,

Room A=Kitchen

If room A is the kitchen, the boxes would be labeled:

A-Spices

A-Silverware

A-Baking Utensils

Room B=Master Bathroom

Boxes for the master bathroom would be labeled:

B-Shower Curtain & Hooks

B-Light Bulbs & New Fixture

Create a box labeled: ‘We’re Here!’ This is a box of items that you will need as soon as you get to your new home. Figure out what you and your family will require on that first day or two in your new home such as: kids favorite toys, paper plates for take-out food, doggie snacks, etc. and pack those things in this box.

Packing by Room Will Save You Time and Lessen Stress

Make it visible

Mark boxes on all sides in a thick black marker (get yourself a few of them—they may dry out after much usage.) Yes, this is a pain, but when your boxes are stacked high and wide, it will make the process of finding what you need much easier. Spending a few minutes labeling the boxes before you move will save you hours of time once you arrive at your new home.

Coding Boxes Will Save You Time and Alleviate Stress

Bonus Packing Tips:

1. Pack heavy items (such as books) in small boxes and light items (such as your Pez collection) in big boxes.

2. Take advantage of FREE packing materials such as…

- Supermarket flyers and glossy inserts that come with the Sunday paper for stuffing boxes

- Boxes from a liquor store (Boxes from the supermarket are not recommended because they could have food products in them.)

- Suitcases can be filled with clothes or other items for the move.

- Your sheets, blankets and towels can be used to wrap your breakables.

Article by Stacey Agin Murray, professional organizer and owner of Organized Artistry, LLC. Visit http://www.organizedartistry.com for your FREE e-list of ‘Top Ten Tips for Organized Living.’

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Lifeorganizers.com also has a ton of great articles on packing and moving plus a great one if you are trying to sell your home.

See also:

The Ultimate Collection of Moving Tips

Organizing a Move is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie