Let’s Face It: Moving is Hard!
Postcard announcing a 2020 move :)
And as an artist, moving is more than just relocating your home; it’s about ensuring your creative soul can settle into a new space as soon as possible for sanity’s sake. It can be easy to think of your studio in an “after-thought" kind of way because there are SO many details requiring your attention during a relocation.
Considering that your studio is where all the creative magic happens, and that I’ve just completed my fourth move in the past 10 years, I can testify that ‘having a think’ - as my UK friends say - can make a world of difference! With a bit of planning and a dash of creativity, the entire mess will be smoother and less overwhelming, ha. Even though I was surrounded by boxes [INSERT BOXES PHOTO] as I originally wrote this, I thought I’d capture a few thoughts and share some of my personal strategies and tips for anyone about to embark on a similar transition. Or maybe this is just for your reading pleasure, if you are enjoying these posts! 😁
Studio Move Strategy 1: Develop a "Pack, Purge & Move" Plan
I sometimes start with a new “blank” monthly planner designated JUST for the move - helps me to visualize the plan!
For artists, our schedules are already busy, so having a clear, rough outline of tasks can make the whole process less chaotic. Here are some helpful steps to consider as you approach the "big day."
1 - Packing/Purging Plan: Set aside designated blocks of time for packing and purging. Giving yourself weekly goals for packing a little at a time - and the sooner the better - helps keep things manageable.
Me? I already use a planner and have adopted a “block scheduling” method for my studio and admin tasks so I can see what’s ahead each week. So for a move, I remove some things and block out “Packing” or “Moving Task” times on my schedule. I also create “Move To Do” lists that I’ll update weekly on Sunday nights, crossing off what’s done and adding things. I also slap those Post-It-Notes in the planner as thoughts come up!
Wellllll…because who can resist such a moving “helper”?!
2 - Moving/Task Due Dates: It’s also super helpful to pencil-in your potential dates to do certain things, such as: rent a moving truck by ____; secure utilities by _____; make arrangements for pets by ____; tell my kids to clear their calendar on _____ for moving day … 😂
3 - Collect Packing Boxes Early: Start collecting boxes early—friends, family, neighbors, and even your workplace or local stores are often great resources. Boxes can be broken down flat until needed.
4 - Gather Other Packing Supplies: You’ll also want plenty of packing tape, markers, and labels. TIP: Have at least two extra “tape guns” so that others can help. It’s better to have too many supplies than to run out mid-packing - and end up spending a lot more on last-minute orders or runs to the local Walmart … ask me how I know this! 😂
5 - Moving Truck and Helpers: If you’re renting a truck, book it early, and reach out to any helpers who’ll be lending a hand. Important: letting other household/family members know in advance what they can do to pack up their own spaces, clean, etc. goes a long way towards managing expectations (yours and theirs!) and accomplishing a successful, more stress-free move.
6 - Storage Unit: Secure any new storage facility, and let the current one know your move-out date. If you’re currently renting one, here’s a TIP: Most storage units have a requirement that you have to notify them by a certain date, or get charged for another month. So be sure to check your current rental contract/agreement so you can save the headache of an additional charge.
Consider creating a Google Drive folder for digital copies of “all the things” - plans, checklists, receipts from moving truck rentals or storage units, etc
7 - Notify Utility Companies and Others: Be sure to figure out what needs to be done to transfer your utility companies ahead of time so you don’t get caught paying extra fees. And remember to change your address with the postal service and any companies sending auto-ship orders.
8 - Create a Notebook and/or Google Drive folder for “all the things”:
- If you prefer paper, use a notebook with pockets to store paper receipts, Room Diagrams (see next item), rental agreements, lists, addresses, random Post-It notes, etc.
- If you prefer digital storage/organization, create a Google Drive folder (or other workflow app such as Asana) to store digital receipts, plans, organizing tasks/checklists, addresses, etc. This is especially helpful because you’ll always have them accessible through your phone on moving day.
9 - Create Room Diagrams with measurements of your new space and/or storage unit. You’d be surprised, especially if you’re downsizing, of how important this will be. I use graph paper and create a diagram for each room
10 - Create Furniture Lists or Diagrams, with measurements, that can be used with the graph paper “Room Diagrams.” If you use graph paper, you can measure the actual furniture, cut them out, and move them around on your Room Diagram to see what will fit. And yes, I actually do this - in fact, for the past three moves! See the next section (The Fun Part: Designing Your New Studio Space), below, for more
SUPER-SECRET TIP #1: This is a time to give yourself grace. Make your checklists, diagrams, and plans - but don’t worry about every detail being perfect. Hold it all loose. The goal is to keep things in manageable order so you can focus on what matters most—getting back to your creative process in your new space!
Studio Move Strategy 2: What Stays and What Goes (Decisions, Decisions!)
Once you do a little pre-planning, moving is a LOT about choices: what to bring with you, what to store, and what to leave behind. In addition to what we tend to accumulate around the house, some of us are unashamed art supply collectors, lol. My lovely artists - we all do it. So take some time to look at art supplies, tools, organizers, tables, and other materials that, well, you might not actually need or use anymore. This is the time to take inventory and be, well, brutally honest about what you’re actually using. Purging can be freeing, even if it’s a little hard to let go.
Laugh if you like, but those big red dots on boxes work like a charm come moving day!
1 - Pack and Purge Early: If you are able, sort through your stuff well in advance - it keeps stress down. A few months before your moving day, start going through your items and decide what should make the journey with you. Start throwing things away (or set aside to sell or give away). In your studio, you can pack paintings, canvases, and other supplies you won't be using. Start emptying shelves and cabinets.
2 - Labeling as You Go: If you’re using a storage unit or other area for non-essentials, make it easy on yourself and create a labeling system for the boxes. I usually take old printer paper that's designated to 'recycle' and cut to size using a paper cutter, a large chisel tip black Sharpie, and tape them on at least 3 sides and the top of each box.
SUPER-SECRET TIP #2: I personally love using big red dots on boxes or items going directly to my new home and studio. Anything NOT going to the house or studio doesn’t get a red dot, lol. Laugh with me if you will, but being able to see at a glance which box/item goes where saves oodles of time and confusion come moving day. You can grab large 2” circle dots (I like red ones for visibility) from Amazon—they’re super inexpensive and useful!
Studio Move Strategy 3: Designing Your New Studio Space (The Fun Part!)
This is the fun part! Long before moving day, it’s so helpful to map out your new studio space with furniture and storage needs. Planning a general layout allows you to see how everything might fit before hauling furniture and boxes into it. Here are some of my favorite tips:
1 - Measure Your New Space: Get those new room measurements down, ahead of time, including the locations of doors and windows and which way they swing. The smaller the space, the more important this is. I use old-fashioned graph paper leftover from my home educating days to sketch each room, outlining the walls and spaces roughly to scale in pencil. Once I have it pretty much down, I’ll mark the walls, doors, and windows in darker ink so I can see it easily.
My moving notebook and to-scale furniture cut-outs - paper dolls for grown-ups, lol!
2 - Make To-Scale Furniture Cut-Outs: For me, this was where the fun began—it’s like adult paper dolls, except with furniture 😁 Once you have a layout, create and cut out small shapes of your current furniture, including tables and lamps, to arrange on your graph paper “room.” Use a dab from cheap glue sticks to keep the furniture shapes in place once you’ve figured out what you want. This way, you can decide in advance what goes where and also see if some pieces may need to go to storage, the basement, or even find a new home altogether.
3 - Define Studio Nooks: Think about areas for painting, storing supplies, and other creative “nooks.”
For example: I have a 6’ art journaling table that doubles as a filming area for my online courses, so I need art journaling supplies and lighting nearby. On a different wall, I have my 8’ easel that leans against a wall for large paintings, so floor and wall coverings are needed. For running Zoom calls, a table to stand at, and a nice backdrop without windows is needed. Setting up creative “zones” ahead of time makes unpacking less stressful and helps your new space feel like home much, much sooner.
4 - Light Sources: Lighting is important - and easily overlooked in the bluster of a move! Consider natural light you’ll need, lamps or wall/ceiling light positions, and wall paint colors. Wall colors and lighting are not only important for painting/drawing, but also for shooting photos of your finished work.
SUPER-SECRET TIP #3: Be sure to plan on/budget for adding some new personal touches to your space - I personally love having some newer/repurposed “pretties” around in my studio to inspire creativity. Storage containers are a practical and useful way to do this! Things like colored-glass jars to hold brushes, chicken-wire baskets painted white to store supplies, and small white baskets for torn-paper bits and collage materials go a long way toward making my studio space not only organized, but beautiful and inviting.
Studio Move Strategy 4: Self-Care is Non-Negotiable! (Maybe this should be #1)
Let’s be real: packing and moving is no small feat, and it takes energy, strength and stamina—especially if you’re moving an entire creative studio or a single person moving everything yourself, so to speak. The last thing you need is to get sick, twist your ankle, or pull a muscle because your body isn’t used to certain movements! In the weeks (or months if possible) leading up to your move, consider::
Consider adopting better food choices about a month before moving for increased energy and health - your body will thank you!
1 - Establishing/Tweaking Your Routine: Look at your physical and mental well-being. Is there anything you can do to increase your strength, flexibility, and stamina? Go ahead and start exercising - a 30/45 minute walk every day works wonders. Go after this - those boxes ain’t gonna pack or lift themselves, lol!
2 - Consider New/Temporary Eating Habits for Increased Energy: Adopt a healthy eating plan if you’re not already on one. About a month before the move, cut out white sugar, white flour, and maybe reduce carbs for sustained energy where your body is burning fat instead (think Keto/Paleo). If you’re not already doing so, review whether you need to “up” your supplements and vitamins - consider such variables as seasonal allergies, weather changes, stress prevention, etc. Of course, drinking plenty of water makes a real difference, as does reducing your caffeine intake. Start getting extra sleep, and try going to bed a bit earlier than usual.
3 - Rest Days: Please hear me on this one - be sure you’re taking a weekly Sabbath rest—a day of no packing, no planning, no work - just worshiping and relaxing! Especially during the week of your move, which will feel counterintuitive to do… but trust me, it will change everything! Spend time with friends or family, enjoy lunch or dinner out, go to the theater, take naps, whatever you love to do to recharge.
4 - Mental Health: Ask for Help! This one’s big, especially for us independent ones and solopreneurs who are used to managing it all. Moving is a huge endeavor, so don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it! At the very least, ask for prayer, ask for advice, ask for boxes, ask for recommendations - ask, ask, ask. Believe it or not, you SO don’t have to be alone in this.
SUPER-SECRET TIP #4: Plan ahead to eat well on Moving Day(s) - you will thank me later! Be sure to have plenty of water - imperative for hot months/climates like where I live in Atlanta. I buy at least 3 cases of water ahead of time to save money and time. Why so many? Well - 1 for myself, 1-2 for those who help me, and 1 to leave at the new location / storage unit, if there are going to be multiple trips. And instead of ordering pizzaa (unless having all those carbs are what you really want/need), I like to prepare ahead healthy wraps, cut veggies and fruit, and cheeses in a small cooler. If you need to, you can get these at your local deli. Then protein bars, nuts, and popcorn are kept in a large baggie for nibbles while driving the moving truck or loaded up vehicles. I’ll make extra ziplock bags for my helpers.
Studio Move Wrap-up: Here’s to New Beginnings!
The adventure awaits in your new space!
Moving can be a very unsettling and stressful season, no doubt. And as an artist moving your studio and/or a single person, there are unique challenges. However, there’s great promise in a new space. There are new beginnings! A fresh studio space, new creative energy, new surroundings, and fresh inspiration.
Over the past decade, I’ve found that planning ahead, organizing, and self-care are the most important strategies for making a relocation a smoother and less stressful experience. I promise! And just think - every packed box brings you closer to a new season of creativity and a new season filled with new things. Enjoy - at least as much as you can 🙂
Let me know in the comments if there was something helpful for you here. I love hearing from you!
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About the Artist:
Debra Hart is a visual fine artist whose semi-abstract, mixed media work celebrates the beauty of nature and faith. With a focus on texture and emotive colors, she captures the delicate beauty of creation in each piece. Debra finds inspiration in the world around her, painting as a reflection of faith and hope.