Moving is one of life's most stressful events. So here's a quick little guide to make it as painless as possible.

Now's a good time to de-clutter your life by deciding which items you don't want and don't need to take with you. Decide what you want to give away, throw away, or sell. We can all find things when packing we CAN live without. Think about the last time you used it. If you can't remember- GET RID OF IT NOW. If it has been a long time- get rid of it now.

If you're not using a professional mover, you'll need to get some good packing materials. Bookstores often have strong boxes they don't want anymore - call on and find out when shipments are coming in and ask for them. You can also get boxes at U-Haul and various companies that have moving trucks.  

Make sure you label your boxes! If you don't know what is in them, you won't know where they need to go once they are at your new home. I promise you won't remember what is in the box with the banana pictures on it! I moved twice this year, I should know! Create a plan of your new home that you can use as a guide throughout the moving process. Label each of your boxes according to this plan and clearly list what is in the boxes. 

Pack things you don't need often first. Books, out-of-season clothes, knick knacks, family photos and memorabilia make good candidates to go into boxes right away.

Pack  your "essentials" boxes

Mark some boxes as "essentials" and put in them the things you need on your first night in your new home. Then you won't waste time (and valuable energy) trying to find important things. Toiletries, change of clothes, etc. can go in these.

Food, particularly from the freezer & fridge, isn't easily stored, so try to use it up. Keep like items together, such as canned foods, dry food items, etc.  Put plants in big plastic bags to avoid dirt spilling or you will have a mess to clean up.

Last but not least... take a deep breath, moving will be over soon!