The big mistake everyone makes when moving

From a purchased house to a rental room to a furnished apartment by the sea. My urge to move is high. Very high. And when you move often, you learn from your mistakes and become increasingly skilled at moving.

This weekend I found myself for the umpteenth time wrapping my glassware in paper (always do this). It almost has a relaxing effect on me, almost. I also keep wondering what to do with so much glassware, until it's Christmas and I want to have port with my cheese at all costs. My desire to move gave me insights that I gladly share for a moment.

1. Skip the supermarket boxes

In your student days, it's still very charming to move from room to room with a bunch of banana boxes. If you're moving a bit more seriously, just order a load of moving boxes online. Tip: those from verhuisloods.nl are affordable, sturdy, and will really last through a few moves. While you're at it, bubble wrap and paper are a must to transport your beloved items in one piece. Don't skimp on that.

2. From plan to lists

Print an old-fashioned paper (!) monthly calendar and start filling in your moving date. From there, count backwards. When is the key transfer? How many days or weeks do you need for renovations and repairs? Do you have a lot of cleaning work? Are you packing alone or together? It gives a clear overview of what you need to do and when you want to start. Once the planning is set, it's time for lists, lists, and lists. A packing list, a task list, a moving list, a list of helpers. Document EVERYTHING. Your mind is overflowing with important things you want to remember, so without lists, you're bound to forget things.

3. Don't start too late and especially never too early

It's hell if you start packing so early that after a week you're rummaging through a box to find your kitchen scale. But you also don't want to pack your photo albums yourself while the helpers are already emptying your house. Start two weeks in advance with things you really don't need anymore, like those cookbooks. Also prepare your mind for moving by stripping your living room of all its coziness at a certain point. Candles, paintings, and cozy cushions, pack everything. An uninviting house motivates you to move. That helps with packing smoothly. Small disclaimer: those two weeks are a good indication for two-person households without collecting tendencies. If you have a lifetime of stuff in the attic, it's advisable to start a little earlier.

4. Document everything and more

My moving boxes sometimes resemble a recipe with all the ingredients written out, but it helps enormously. Don't be cryptic, but write everything out on the top of the box. It works like this: write the place or room of destination in the new home, and provide a detailed description of what is in the box for each point. Optionally, you can also add ‘needed immediately’ so that a box doesn't end up at the bottom of the pile. Very handy and efficient. It may seem excessive, but it's the most useful moving hack ever.

5. Hire help

I always find cleaners to be the best investment in the world, even in daily life. But especially with a move. Nothing is more foolish than cleaning your old house while you're mentally setting up the new one. And you can actually do that if you don't have to scrub every nook and cranny of your previous casa. Do you have a cleaner? Schedule it so that the final clean-up works out perfectly. No interior caretaker at your speed dial? Many cleaning companies offer a final clean-up in their package. Do it! You'll be happier for it.

6. Too much is never good

It's really heartwarming that everyone is eager to help you, but make sure to use all that help wisely. It's no use if people are just staring at each other on moving day while holding boxes. Ensure a few strong people to carry the big items. Move small things in advance with smaller hands. And people with back problems? Have them pack in your old house or clean in your new house.

7. Say goodbye

A move is the moment to critically review your collection of belongings. Have you not touched something for a year (or for the more radical types, half a year) and does it have no emotional value? Let it go. You don't want to turn into some kind of hoarder with five kitchen appliances that you never use. Speaking of which, is anyone still looking for a soup maker?

8. Rest, cleanliness, regularity

Make sure you don't have too much on your plate besides the move. It's one of the most significant things in a person's life to relocate all your belongings. Therefore, take a week off (!). Coming home from work to unpacked boxes is hell in a new house. I really can't say it often enough, this will help.

Image: Craig Blankenhorn/HBO Max