How to Get Organized for a Cross Country Move + FREE PRINTABLES

Does anyone like moving? If you do, leave me a comment below, because most everyone I know hates moving, me included! And guess what, I get to move soon…with 2 cats. Come along on my journey as I share 5 tips on how to get organized for a cross country move. I also did a video on everything moving, if you would rather watch than read!

Even if you’re not moving, having the mindset that you possibly could move in the future is a great way to get serious about organizing and decluttering your home. You definitely want to declutter your whole house before a move happens because you’re paying for every pound or every box that the moving company ships. I’m planning on doing a few posts about my move and then you will get to see all the home decorating projects I have ahead. Decorating… now THAT’S fun!

// the backstory

A quick backstory on why I’m moving and how I really feel about it. Then we’ll get into the 5 tips to organize before a move, including a tip on moving with pets. 

I have spent most of my life in Texas. Texas is where my parents and my job are. There is ocean, hill country, desert, forests, we have it all. Not to mention the Mexican food can’t be beat! But my husband got a great opportunity in Colorado. I love the beauty of Colorado and if I can get away from the humidity of Texas and have more than one good hair day per year, then that’s a big plus.

It’s always fun to start a new adventure in life and try something new. So, even though moving can be a hassle, I’m excited.

Ok, let’s get to the tips. I will keep these short and sweet. I have a free printable download at the end of this post, in case you are planning for a move yourself. I don’t know about you, but any help I can get to make a move easier is something I’m all for!

// TIP 1: GET YOUR HOME READY FOR SHOWINGS

Depersonalize your home as much as possible. Remove family photos and clear off counters to show off all the counter space. Hide as much as you can, such as products in the shower and stacks of paper in the office. It’s inconvenient having things stored away, but doing this will make your home a blank slate for prospective buyers.

// TIP 2: DECLUTTER

Start editing your closet, pantry, bathroom cabinets, and storage rooms. Toss or donate as much as possible because moving boxes are expensive, so the less stuff you have to pack, the better! As soon as you find out you may move, start the editing process. And don’t just do this once, but go through several times until you feel you can’t remove any more un-needed items. I use ThredUp to declutter my closet. You get a little money for those items you want to get rid of, which is always a plus! Click here to check out ThredUp.

Really think twice when going shopping for groceries or anywhere you normally impulse buy. Think of how you will have to put that in a box and take it on your move before you put it in your cart. Try to finish everything in your pantry because many movers won’t take open bottles of food.

// TIP 3: CREATE A MOVING CALENDAR

Timing is everything and the only way you can organize properly is by paying attention to the timing and trying to control that aspect as much as you possibly can. Create a calendar specific for your move. Have goals in mind based on the closing of your new home, the closing of your old home and communicate these goal dates to whoever you need to and as often as possible. This may be communicating to your realtor that you want the buyers to move in one week after you close on your new home. This will give you a little extra wiggle room to get everything moved out of your old house before someone is waiting to get in.

// TIP 4: KEEP A VERY DETAILED LIST

Whether you like digital lists or printed lists, keep track of what bills you need to change addresses on, when utilities need to get hooked up, and what automatic deliveries need to be updated. If you don’t have a place to add things as you think of them and check them off when they’re done, then your move may turn into a hot mess! At the end of this post, I have a free printable download with these tips, a calendar and checklist so you can be ready for your move!

// TIP 5: planning for the pets

If you’re moving with pets, think about all the aspects of the move and what they might be thinking as moving day approaches and how you can make it less stressful for them. Territory and scents are really important to cats, so give cats time to explore a new home on their own terms. Your dog may have a favorite toy or blanket that you could bring along for the journey. Try to minimize any stressors, such as packing or unpacking by finding a quiet place for your pet during all the commotion.

// ready to get organized for a move?

Download my free 4 page PDF with all kinds of helpful tips and lists for your move.