Ok. If you’ve been wondering what the heck I’ve been doing (if you’ve noticed, I haven’t been on much as of late); I’ve been moving. And I am here to tell you that as a writer, this has been a really difficult thing. It’s bad enough to move households, but to do so as a self-employed person who needs to keep it together and remain organized, it is nearly impossible. Therefore, in the interest of helping others, I will share with you here a few tips for avoiding disaster on moving day and beyond:
- Devote one box to those things that you must have handy. Think notebook, bank stamp, checks, current assignment notes, etc. Mark this box in a totally different color and move it somewhere safe. This goes with you and goes last. Recent assignments (just in case you need to refer to the notes while you are in chaos), your calendar, CD/DVDs belong here as well. Who knows when you’ll get all those other boxes unpacked…
- Find a Wi-Fi or online spot near where you are going to be living. This will allow you to check e-mail and get online until you are set up at the new place. This may take longer than you think.
- Make sure your freelance gigs know your new addy. The way that we get paid, you may have to go back a ways and check out articles you sold months ago to make sure they have your current info. Also, send out the new addy to all your regular gigs. And remind them on your next assignment. Getting the check is key!
- Pack your phone charger in a bag you won’t bury somewhere. You may need it for an interview or other work purposes.
- Be careful not to pack your electronics with things that are magnetic. (No, I didn’t do it, but I had to really think about it!) And don’t set your computer box down next to anything like that either.
- Work ahead wherever you can. I killed myself to do about 4 weeks worth of work in 2 so I could take a little time off. It was really worth it! (And thanks Joe for keeping up appearances here at FZ!)
- Get work lined up for when you are settled in. I am sending out e-mail this week and connecting with editors for work so that I don’t get too far behind financially.
Hopefully these tips will help you move more easily. Actually, I hope you don’t have to move. It’s a rough ride!