By Dr. Regina F. Lark, Ph.D. CPO®, CPO-CD®  | Originally posted on aclearpath.net

“I called you because I was about to lose it,” said my new client, Priya, after she decided to hire my team of Ninja organizers to finally get her long-awaited move underway. 

Prior to our arrival, Priya thought she would: 

• declutter 
• toss 
• purge 

She quickly discovered that the process wasn’t very easy, and it was taking a lot longer than she really had time for. 

Next, she invited friends to help, but they did more talking and partying than actual work. 

While trying to figure out next steps about the clutter, Priya started calling around to moving companies. At the end of that day, she scheduled three appointments with three different companies. At the end of that week, not a single mover showed up for the appointment. 

The final straw occurred when, after researching the least expensive place to purchase moving supplies, Priya discovered:

a) that she had no idea how many boxes she would need and 
b) even if she knew the number of boxes, she didn’t have a truck to bring them all home in 

Priya said, “I wanted to poke my eyes out.” 

As anyone who has ever moved knows, relocating from one home to another stands as one of the top three stressors for most people. Planning ahead can make a difference, but as Priya knows, even good planning can fall short. 

The government created a program called Protect Your Move because of the 36 million moves this year, 1 in 10 customers will file a complaint with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for what’s become known as “hostage load.” Hostage load is when trusting customers find that, at the end of the move, the price somehow went up and their belongings are held hostage until the client coughs up the additional cash. 

With all the things that can go wrong in a move, I always encourage people to: 

• get references 
• ask friends 
• talk with the neighbor(s) who most recently moved near you 
• utilize a “moving checklist” like this one from Real Simple
• Note that sort/purge/research top the list, and you should begin these activities two months before your move date. 

Because movers charge by weight and volume, most people would save their budget with a careful, thoughtful (and sometimes judicious) culling of all the things that no longer serve the body, mind, or spirit. 

A good Realtor® will have a tried-and-true referral list of companies and professional organizers to help with: 

• decluttering 
• packing 
• move coordination 

For a project as big as a move, don’t try to handle everything yourself; instead, surround yourself with people you can trust, take careful notes, and read every contract thoroughly. 

You’ll be glad you did. 

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Downsizing, planning a move, or need help unpacking with intention in your new home? Find a National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professional near you.

Miss a GO Month post? Catch up here!

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