Before the Move
Winter migration isn’t only for birds, it’s also for people living in the northeast who head south for the winter. Some are snowbirds but many make the permanent transition to warmer weather during the cold winter months. While there has been a recent trend of younger demographics relocating down south, retired baby boomers will lead this category.
With empty nests, boomers heading south often downsize from their single-family homes to smaller homes, condos, or townhomes. Trying to pack and purge a lifetime of personal items is an enormous task. While a full-service moving company can take care of all the packing needs, knowing what to pack and what to leave behind is outside the moving company’s scope of work. Hiring a professional organizer, such as Victoria Leone of Organized Therapy, is the perfect complement to your movers. The organizer will thoughtfully go through the home helping to decide what should be packed and what should be discarded or donated.
Organized Therapy
After death of a loved on and divorce, moving is ranked as the third most stressful experience in a person’s life. Many people try to take on this monumental task alone because they don’t want to be a burden to anyone or they simply don’t have anyone to help. If this is your situation, you should consider hiring a professional organizer. Their job goes beyond decluttering and organizing your home, they also provide emotional support through the process. This support is known as organized therapy.
It’s no secret that moving is extremely stressful and exhausting. Many people are so overwhelmed with the entire moving process (selling their home, inspections, coordinating closing dates, etc.) that the thought of packing seems unfathomable. Having a professional with a plan come in and coordinate the process is worth its weight in gold.
The reality of downsizing a home is that not everything can make the move. Letting go of personal items can be extremely difficult and overwhelming. Probably more than anticipated. Whether it be a shoulder to cry on or someone to hold your hand during the purging process, an organizer can provide emotional support from start to finish. Saying goodbye to a home full of memories is no easy task, but having support of a professional organizer can help make it manageable.
Deciding What to Pack
When moving down south, there are a few factors to consider when determining what to pack. The most obvious being the weather. You’ll absolutely be able to leave your snow blower behind and a majority of your heavy winter clothes. Another factor that comes into play is where you’re living. If moving to a condo with only a balcony or a small patio, you won’t need to bring large outdoor furniture. Knowing if your community has an HOA that takes care of the lawn means you won’t have to pack your lawn mower or weedwacker. The style of your home may play a role in what you decide to bring. Maybe your current furniture doesn’t match the ascetic of your new home.
Once you and the organizer finalize your inventory list, the items not going can be discarded or donated. Having the inventory completed before hiring a mover will allow the moving company to provide you with the most accurate quote. For interstate moves, Liberty uses the weight of the shipment and the distance traveled to determine the final cost. The lighter the shipment the less expensive it will be. Not bringing unnecessary items on your move will not only keep your new home decluttered, but will also save you money on your move.
What’s Next?
An organizer’s work doesn’t need to end when the moving truck departs the home. They can assist with setting up your new residence. Part two of this two-part blog post will feature everything an organizer can assist with once you’ve arrived in your new home.
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Victoria Leone
Organizing Consultant, Organized Therapy
516-216-3167
