To commemorate my family’s move into a new home, today’s Free Advice will be about having a smooth and organized transition to a new home.

*NOTE: I’m just some girl. Take any and all advice at your own risk.

1. Pack as much as possible as far in advance as possible: If you are moving three months from now, and it is winter, pack all other seasonal items now. Pack all non-essential items in a timely manner, leaving only essentials like clothing and dishes for the last few weeks before the move.
2. Mark all boxes clearly by destination: Boxes that should be taken into the bedroom should be marked as such. If there are multiple bedrooms, mark as “a” “b” and “c”.
3. Keep an inventory: Number each box and keep a list of every box that is packed and what it contains. You do not want to end up with eight boxes in your kitchen, with you needing a cookie sheet and having no idea which box it is in.
4. Pack everything but your toiletries and two changes of clothes, and eat out the last night before moving: You don’t want to be in a situation where people are waiting to move things for you, and you aren’t fully prepared to be moved out. Plan ahead. Do not say “I can do this the day of” for anything beyond putting your toothpaste in an overnight bag.
5. Line everything up to go out the door: Have all boxes stacked in an easily accessible location. Wrap all power cords and tie them off with twist ties. Take shelves out of adjustable bookshelves and tie them together. BE READY TO MOVE.
6. Always remember- stack heavy to light: Don’t pack your heirloom china in the bottom of the stack, as it WILL break if put under too much pressure. Stack heavy items like books first, and then clothing, and then breakables on top. Don’t pack plastics on the bottom, either- you don’t want your plastic shelves warped!
7. Pack temperature sensitive things separately: Things like soaps, candles, and foods should be packed and moved separately. You don’t want twenty scented candles melting into a candle lump or the colors separating in your lip gloss. Move these things in the passenger seat of your car.
8. Assign someone to direct foot traffic: No matter how clearly marked your boxes are, chances are that someone either won’t look or won’t care, so have someone directing foot traffic and making sure things go where they belong.
9. Assign someone to manage meals: You will be busy. You will be stressed. Choose a good friend to make sure that there is enough food and drink for you and all of the help, so you don’t have to worry about it.
10. Always do the “idiot” check: Go back through your old home one last time and double check that everything has been removed. Chances are there will be a pair of shoes in a closet or a lamp that was discarded.
11. Remember to relax: It’s not the end of the world, it’s just a move. Whether or not thing run smoothly will not be the deciding factor in multinational relations and the possibility of world war three. Take time to sit down and relax, breathe in deeply, enjoy yourself. It’s allowed.
12. Things won’t go smoothly: It’s a fact of life. Something will go horribly wrong. Prepare yourself to deal with unexpected upsets and allow enough time throughout the day to compensate. Don’t move at nine at night. Don’t push your schedule. Acknowledge the fact that these things take time.

Have a happy relaxed not totally tragic move!