We have moved so many times I can't even start to count. We were fortunate to be able to hire moving companies but the stress of being organized can and is overwhelming. For each move I have always tried to sort/donate/give away unwanted/un-needed items before items actually get on the truck. For me trying to have a yard sale beforehand is just too much stress. If you do have big things to possibly sell think of your local craigslist or things to give away try your local free-cycle. Try to purge as far out from the actual packing stage as possible. If it doesn't happen don't beat yourself up about it! Be kind to yourself take it one step at a time.

During the last couple of moves I have used blue (or yellow) painters tape to mark my OMF (open me first) boxes. Two stripes around the top of the box let me know what boxes were priority for opening (bed linens (for each bedroom), power cords, soaps, disposable dishes, first aid kit).

KEEP YOUR MEDICATIONS WITH YOU. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Just as a touch of realism here is a tidbit from one of my moves. I was having a flare-up so I had some blankets and a pillow (along with all my meds) in a corner basically taped off so none of the movers would touch my stuff. At some point I spread out my blankets and had a nap in the corner. I slept for a good 3 hours! Sure I was stiff and sore but if I hadn't prepared for this I would of ended up sleeping on the floor with only my arm for a pillow!

Good luck with your move.

I have just done this very thing, it was challenging but I prefaced the physical moving days by admitting to my partner that I was really worried about how I would go with it, we worked out that as long as I paced myself carefully, stopping regularly for short breaks, and took on the role of "traffic director" as opposed to labourer that this would work and I would still be involved and effective, as this is very important to me. I need to feel integral to a team and it worked well. I set reminders on my phone to take supplements at morning noon and night, organised fresh fruit snacks to have available for everyone including myself, and found some medicated herbal plasters that act like heat patches which I plastered all over my back, website is Eu Yang Seng (I think), and these really helped my muscles and also prevented me from overstretching, so double benefit. All in all, even in a flare with a really bad knee (arthritis flare) I came out pretty good. Just keep things available to supply heat to your muscles, don't let yourself get cold, this really makes a difference for me with any physical activity. I hope this helps.

I think you first need to pace yourself. Secondly, see if you can find people to help. Third is to be super organized. Don't start with anything new until the last thing is done. That helped me a lot when I moved across country last November. Last, I made detailed lists of what I needed to get done and then checked off each thing as I did it. That sort of made me feel proud of myself. I wish you good luck with your move.

I would start the minute you know you might/are going to move. Pack the items that you don't need now, like the off season clothes, most toys just let the kids have their favorites. Any nick nacks or items such as photo albums. You might like your house more when you see it without all this stuff. Anything you don't really need think about selling or giving to an organization that would make good use of it. Use this as a time to get rid of all the stuff we collect over our lives that we don't need especially as we get older. If you have the money or your employer will pay use a professional service for moving. Sometimes you can buy the boxes pack them yourselves and then the mover picks them up, some won't charge for the boxes if they move you. When you are at your new digs then think twice about what you want to keep. Think about making one skillet meals and then freeze them so you can just pull them out and pop into the oven or easy meals like scrambled eggs. If you have kids try to get them into helping with the packing and making meals. Give yourself an occasional rest time as you go through all this, AND of course keep the pain pills, take them on a regular basis and hopefully all will go well. Good Luck!

God bless you! We need each other!