How to Pack for the Life You Want, Not Just the Life You Left
Reading time – 10 minutes
My guest blogger this month is Emily Carter, a passionate writer and storyteller with a keen interest in personal development and urban living. With years of experience writing for a living and a degree in psychology, she brings a distinct perspective to her work. In her free time, Emily enjoys riding her bike, exploring new locations, and practicing mindfulness exercises.
We each have a distinct definition of how long it is “normal” to remain in one spot. While some people may experience homesickness every few years, others may be content to stay in one location for decades. So what gives us the impression that moving is the proper course of action? Ultimately, relocating is a significant life move, and human nature tends to favour the status quo unless there is an urgent need to alter it and pack for the life you want. When planning and staying organized, you can keep control of your schedule, making the process less stressful.
Top 8 Steps to Pack for the Life You Want, Not Just the Life You Left
What indicators are you searching for, or waiting for, to make you go from being content at home to visiting every real estate agent’s window or website? Here are the eight steps to pack for the life you want without more ado.
Organize and label your belongings thoughtfully as you prepare for a new chapter.
Where Would You Want to Go?
Consider your goals and the reasons behind them. Create a basic itinerary sketch. It will help you decide what to pack. Now is not the time to be logistically sound; in fact, as you wait for your phone to charge at a coffee shop, scribble your thoughts down on a napkin. Telling the person you borrowed the phone charger from about your trip itinerary will make her think you’re crazy, but that doesn’t matter; what matters is that you follow your instincts. Don’t forget, listening is the key—trusting your gut will guide you through the process.
Invest Time in Your Research and Pack for Your Destination
Although it may seem obvious, many people lack a clear endpoint in mind for their life’s path. How can they pack appropriately? It’s probably better to say “have a destination in mind” instead.
Moreover, take some time to investigate travel insurance and credit cards. Learn about yearly fees, affiliate bonuses, currency conversion costs, and sign-on bonuses; they can add up. You can purchase two international tickets for less than USD 200 after making some calculated choices and earning 45,000 bonus points. That makes you proud.
Declutter Your Belongings
This involves getting rid of everything you don’t regularly use or require. It’s unlikely that you’ll miss anything you haven’t worn in over a year. The same is true for vintage films, books, and trinkets. Dispose of them by giving them away, selling them, investing in secure storage, or simply discarding them.
Put your belongings up for sale to make space for your new adventure. A garage sale can help you downsize before moving.
Additionally, consider seeking professional help. For example, Harris Movers offer moving and packing services that can prepare you for your move. That will help you to navigate the process even more smoothly. After clearing your life of clutter, it’s time to begin packing up the items you do wish to preserve. Create a list of everything you need to pack first, and then categorize those items accordingly. Clothes, for instance, can be separated into dresses, shirts, and pants. This will greatly simplify the packing and unpacking process.
Organize Yourself
This is essential to ensuring a seamless relocation. To begin, make a packing timetable and do your best to follow it. This will help you maintain focus and prevent overload. Ensure that you label every box so you can identify its contents. You’ll save a ton of time and effort when you unpack at your new residence.
When packing your goods, ensure that you select sturdy boxes that can withstand the weight of your belongings. Additionally, to preserve your belongings throughout the transfer, use a lot of packing materials, including packing peanuts or bubble wrap.
Stop Purchasing New Items
If you’re the type who keeps a lot of physical items, consider reducing your collection. Avoid purchasing new items unless they are essential for use or travel. Pay someone to take inventory of your closet without shame. You find that, oh, why, you have more scarves than jeans. Give away two bags of clothing. Take off your uncomfortable shoes. When a date asks you if you only wear flip-flops to a formal meal, you tell him that’s simply your style.
Don’t Overpack
With their baggage check costs, airlines are pressuring overpackers to do this. However, when it comes to packing for success in life, we often bring other people’s troubles with us without realizing that they are burdening us and hindering our progress.
Get Expert Assistance
It’s perfectly acceptable to seek assistance if the idea of packing up your entire life is overwhelming you. Numerous expert moving firms are available to handle the hard lifting for you. Obviously, this will cost you money, but it can be worth it to save yourself the stress of doing it yourself.
Furthermore, many storage facilities offer moving and packing services, allowing you to securely store your possessions while you relocate to a new location. If you aren’t ready to give up everything just yet, this might be an alternative.
Once Again, Where Would You Want to Go?
Again, ask yourself where you want to go and why. Will the road ahead put your life on hold or lead you to something more significant? Lay awake and think about this query. The city below is buzzing like a well-maintained neon machine as you gaze out the window. Despite living here for years, you are still not sick of the view from the balcony. It won’t be yours after two more days.
A new destination could bring the adventure and change you’re seeking
How unfortunate. This city was once your favourite. You probably fantasized about living high up in a condo on the lake like this one not so long ago. When you first moved in, you were astounded by the sleek, urban design and had the opportunity to ride your bike to a fantastic office each morning. You wonder when you lost interest in this place and this way of life. Perhaps it’s time to reflect on the habits of happy people—finding joy in the small things can reignite your appreciation for the life you’ve built.
Final Words: Pack for the Life You Want
Perhaps it was that partner who ruined your life, the loneliness, or the long winters. Maybe you must constantly pursue something to feel content, and after achieving it, you find something else to obsess over, such as a person, a hobby, or an idea. Relocating doesn’t have to be a nightmare; it can be made easy with the right preparation and organization! You can move and pack for the life you want with ease if you follow these suggestions.
Share your stories in the comments about your life changing moves.
Julie Stobbe is the 2024-2025 winner of the Harold Taylor Award for outstanding contributions to the organizing industry and Professional Organizers in Canada. As a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach, she brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides, mentors and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
