As some of you know I’m moving next week from Melbourne, Australia to the UK. Because of this I’ve been not so great about posting the past week so I apologize! Moving is chaotic though and takes a lot of time and effort so I decided a post about it would be very relevant. I’m not going to lie, it’s stressful and sad, but there are some ways to make it easier and help give you a better start in your new home. Whether you’re moving halfway across the world like me or 500 miles away, these tips should help make your move much smoother.

Start early: The one thing that makes moving really stressful is getting everything together/packed. If you leave it all until the last minute you’re going to stress yourself out and you’re not going to be able to think clearly about what is coming, being sold or being donated. As a result things will feel more hectic and, if you’re like me, you’ll cry and all hell will break loose. Save yourself this trouble and start early. This time around I started over a week ahead and we’ve already got most things packed and I can spend my last week enjoying my city and my favorite things rather than worrying.

Cull clothing: If you’re anything like me you hold onto clothes as long as possible even if you don’t wear them on the slight possibility an opportunity might arise. This is, frankly, a dumb idea and ultimately ends up in me shleping useless clothing around the world for no reason. Letting go of these clothes you don’t wear will help you scale down your wardrobe and give you more space, weight, and peace of mind. This time around Michael and I donated 5kg of clothing we never wear and honestly, I don’t miss any of it, and it means I can bring things that mean more to me from my time in Australia than useless items. Take this opportunity to part with things you don’t use or need, you’ll feel lighter, I promise.

Think critically: Similar to my last point, take this time to think critically about everything you own. It’s important to look at everything, regardless of clothing, furniture or decorations, and if you don’t love it or don’t use it, toss it. It’s not worth the space or effort to move something you don’t love. By giving yourself this extra space, you give yourself the opportunity to find something you love even more.

Prepare yourself: Moving is hard and leaving somewhere you’ve settled yourself is always going to be hard, even if you’re excited for the next stage. Make sure you take the time to prepare yourself for the move and the change that’s going to affect you. It will be better to prepare yourself than be stressed about the move and sad and emotional.

I’m no expert about moving, and I’ll never claim to be. It’s as hard on me as it is on anyone, but after doing so a few times in the past couple of years I’ve realized these few tips can make moving so much easier and less stressful. I’d love to hear what you guys to do make a move easier.