If you’re fortunate enough to have a professional packing team—amazing! Count your blessings. But be warned: they will pack everything. And I mean everything—broken toys, crumpled drawings, last night’s take-out menu… they don’t sort; they just box it all up. That part? That’s on you.

For those doing the packing themselves—let the adventure commence!

Time to Pack? Triple It.

Whatever time you think it will take, multiply it by three. Trust me. Trying to convince already emotional family members to help you pack at the last minute? Let’s just say… emotions may run high.

Space Is Money

Shipping, air freight, road freight—it’s all expensive, regardless of who’s footing the bill. You’ll be allocated a specific number of cubic meters, and you’ll need to fit your life into that space.

How do you figure out what fits? The highly scientific industry method: eyeball it and guess. Yes, really.

Ask Yourself: What’s Worth Taking?

Now is the time for honesty:

• The snowboard you haven’t used in 10 years (thanks, kids and knee surgery)… will you really use it again?
• That 15-year-old sofa that still feels great… until you realize the supports cracked from years of toddler gymnastics—do you really want to ship that across the globe?

Treat this as your ultimate spring clean.

Get Equipped

Use proper packing materials. Removal companies often provide boxes—and if you use theirs, everything fits their systems, making the process much smoother.

Pro tip: Think through your box labelling strategy before you start.

• Will you label by room? By person?
• Whatever you choose, make sure it’s clear—you’ll be directing movers at your destination using these labels.

Bad labelling = you moving heavy boxes around the house later. No fun.

Set Up a Box Zone

Choose a designated area—garage, spare room, little-used dining space—for storing packed boxes. It clears space and keeps the packing flow organized.

One Room at a Time

Be ruthless, but not reckless. Don’t toss everything out—there’s value in much of it. Use the Three (and a Half) Pile Method:

1. Keep It – It’s Coming With You

Start with off-season items like winter coats or spare bedding. Pack these first, seal and label, then move them to the storage zone.

2. Sell It – Turn Clutter into Cash

Lightly used toys, leftover paint, garden tools—anything in decent shape with resale value. You might not make a fortune, but the extra cash adds up. On my last move, I made enough for a few nice dinners out!

3. Donate It – Help Others

Good-condition items that aren’t worth selling but are still useful. Donate to charity shops or local organizations—they’ll appreciate it.

4. Give It – Thoughtful Hand-Me-Downs

Some things have personal value to others. School uniforms, gently used children’s clothes, or sentimental items—give them to people who can truly use them.

Final Words

Packing is more than putting things in boxes. It’s emotional, exhausting—and oddly satisfying. Stay organized, plan ahead, and embrace the purge.

You’ve got this!