Packing up is stressful – it’s just a fact and an unavoidable one. No matter how much preparation and thought you put into it, you’re always going to feel like you have too much stuff, too little time, like there is always something left behind, or like you’ve taken more things than you actually need. When packing up for a move, the stress doubles as there is usually a deadline or a time by which the house or flat has to be vacated and this means that every single one of your belongings has to be safely packed away before that. However, the stress can be reduced with the proper preparation and organization. To some of us, organization comes naturally, but, let’s face it – they are the select few. The rest need to take the packing process step by step, divide big tasks into small manageable ones and rely on help from friends. This way, the whole moving day can be made more manageable. The idea is pretty straight forward – divide and simplify. Naturally, the first step to packing is the supplies. Here is a comprehensive list of all of the materials and tools that may come in handy when removing and packing away your belongings.

First of all, you’re obviously going to need boxes. These can usually be acquired pretty cheaply at a hardware store, if you don’t have any on hand. However, a cheaper and more environmentally friendly option is reusing boxes. This requires a bit of foresight, as you would have to have saved boxes and packaging for a while. Alternatively, you could ask friends and neighbors to lend you their unnecessary packaging. Usually, they would be happy to oblige, as it is just that – unnecessary. Or you might want to return it afterwards – the more times a box is reused, the better value you get out of it and the more environmentally friendly your move becomes. In case even the friend route fails, you could ask around the neighborhood grocery stores and cafes – places like that are constantly restocking and as a result, constantly need to get rid of boxes. And don’t forget to recycle after you’re finished with them – the environment wins and so do you. For electronics and fragile items it’s best to use their original packaging and Styrofoam, as that would be the best fit. You’re also going to need some large plastic bags, to pack the more unusually shaped objects – it’s all about saving space. Garbage bags should do the trick for this and, again, do not throw them away after use – they can be reused or recycled. You would also need to get your hands on some bubble wrap – as this usually doesn’t last long, especially in a household with children, it may require a trip to the hardware store. Some other essentials, that you should acquire while there, are packing tape and box cutters (also known as utility knives). Screwdrivers also come in handy for removing nails and taking apart furniture, however those can be found in any well equipped tool box. If you’re taking care of the relocation yourself, you might also want to get some medical supplies or a first aid kit. Minor injuries are always possible when dealing with tools or heavy lifting – don’t get too confident.

While removals are tedious and tiring, they are not usually very complicated. If you have everything on this checklist and take every task one step at a time, you should be done with your move without any trouble and in good time.