By Rusty Allen — 1,347 moves completed, 380,000 km of observations, 8 years of people-watching
Every kilometer tells a story!
After 1,347 moves across Montreal and Quebec, I've noticed something: everyone has a moving style. And that style? It says a lot about who you are.
I've seen the Hyper-Planners with their color-coded boxes and spreadsheets. I've met the Last-Minute Warriors throwing things into garbage bags at 6 AM. I've watched the Sentimental Packers cry over a broken mug from 1987.
And you know what? There's no wrong way to move. But there IS a way to make it easier—once you know your style.
Take this quiz, discover your moving personality, and get tips tailored just for you!
A well-loaded truck is a happy truck!
The Quiz: What's Your Moving Style?
Instructions: For each scenario, pick the answer that sounds most like you. Keep track of your letters (A, B, C, D, or E). At the end, see which letter you picked most often!
Question 1: It's 8 weeks before moving day. What are you doing?
A) I've already packed the guest room, created a master spreadsheet, and scheduled the utility transfers.
B) Moving? That's future me's problem. Present me is watching Netflix.
C) I'm walking through the house, reminiscing about every room and wondering if I really need to leave.
D) I've delegated the entire thing to my partner/family/professional movers. I'll show up on moving day.
E) I'm researching the 47 best ways to pack dishes and watching YouTube tutorials at 2 AM.
Question 2: How do you feel about packing the kitchen?
A) I have a system. Plates wrapped individually, labeled by cabinet, inventory spreadsheet updated in real-time.
B) I'll do it the night before. How hard can it be? *throws everything in a box*
C) This mug was from our first apartment... and this spatula was my grandmother's... *sits on floor surrounded by memories*
D) That's what packing services are for. Next question.
E) I've watched three videos on the Japanese plate-wrapping technique and I'm ready to execute it perfectly.
Question 3: What does your "essentials box" look like?
A) Clearly labeled "OPEN FIRST" with toilet paper, phone chargers, snacks, medications, and a change of clothes. Obviously.
B) What essentials box? I'll just dig through everything when I get there.
C) It's mostly photo albums and my childhood teddy bear. Wait, that's not helpful, is it?
D) My assistant/partner packed it. I assume it has what I need.
E) I have three essentials boxes, organized by priority level, with a laminated checklist attached to each.
Question 4: The movers arrive. What's your vibe?
A) I hand them a floor plan of the new place with furniture placement marked, plus a numbered box list.
B) "Oh! You're here! Uh... let me just finish packing this last... everything."
C) I'm emotional. This house has been through so much with me. *hugs the doorframe*
D) "Hey team! I'll be at the coffee shop across the street. Text me when you're done."
E) I'm supervising every box placement, making sure the weight distribution in the truck is optimal.
Question 5: How do you label your boxes?
A) Color-coded by room, numbered sequentially, with contents listed and QR codes linking to my inventory app.
B) "Stuff" ... "More stuff" ... "Kitchen maybe?" ... *one box just says "things"*
C) "Memories - handle with love" ... "Mom's china - FRAGILE - I mean it" ... "DO NOT OPEN UNTIL EMOTIONALLY READY"
D) I didn't. The movers did. I think. Where are my boxes?
E) Each box has weight, contents, destination room, optimal unpacking order, and handling instructions.
Question 6: It's moving day. What's your breakfast situation?
A) Prepped meal from yesterday, eaten at 6:30 AM exactly. Moving starts at 8 AM. We're on schedule.
B) Coffee from a mug I just found in a box marked "bathroom." Don't ask.
C) I can't eat. I'm too emotional. This is the last breakfast in this house!
D) I ordered delivery. It'll arrive when it arrives.
E) A protein-rich breakfast optimized for sustained energy during physical activity, as recommended by nutritional studies.
Question 7: The new place has a tight staircase. Your reaction?
A) I measured it three weeks ago and flagged which furniture pieces need to be disassembled.
B) We'll figure it out. Tilt it? Pivot? Just... shove? PIVOT!
C) That armoire was my great-aunt's. We WILL make it fit. Somehow. It HAS to.
D) That's what movers are for. They're professionals. I believe in them.
E) I've calculated the angles and have a detailed plan involving removing the legs and the door hinges.
Question 8: Something breaks during the move. How do you react?
A) I document it immediately for the claim, take photos, and note it on the inventory. We'll handle this properly.
B) Eh, it was probably going to break eventually anyway. *shrugs*
C) *gasps* That was... that was from... *tears streaming* I need a moment.
D) Is that what cargo protection is for? Let's file a claim and move on.
E) I analyze what went wrong and create a prevention protocol for future moves.
Question 9: First night in the new place. What are you doing?
A) Unpacking according to my 5-day unpacking schedule. Kitchen first, then bathroom, then bedrooms.
B) Sitting on the floor eating pizza surrounded by chaos. It's fine. Everything's fine.
C) Walking through empty rooms, imagining all the memories we'll make here. *happy tears*
D) Ordering furniture online and booking a cleaning service for tomorrow.
E) Setting up the essential systems first: internet, smoke detectors, checking all outlets and switches.
Question 10: When do you finish unpacking?
A) Day 3, as scheduled. Every item has a designated home.
B) Finish? There's a box in my closet from my last move three years ago. We don't talk about that box.
C) I'm still deciding where to put my grandmother's vase. It deserves the perfect spot.
D) The unpacking service I hired finished on day 2.
E) Day 4, but I continue optimizing the organization system for the next two weeks.
Tally Your Results!
Mostly A's: The Hyper-Planner
Mostly B's: The Last-Minute Warrior
Mostly C's: The Sentimental Packer
Mostly D's: The Delegator
Mostly E's: The Perfectionist Researcher
Got a tie? Read both profiles—you might be a hybrid!
The Moving Personalities
🗂️ THE HYPER-PLANNER (Mostly A's)
Who you are:
You've never met a spreadsheet you didn't love. Your boxes are numbered, your timeline is detailed, and your movers receive a briefing document upon arrival. You probably started packing a month ago and have a contingency plan for your contingency plan.
Your superpower:
Nothing surprises you. You're prepared for delays, breakages, and any curveball moving day throws at you.
Your kryptonite:
Over-planning can become stressful. And when something inevitably doesn't go according to plan? That can really throw you off.
Rusty's tips for you:
- Build buffer time into your schedule. Moves rarely go exactly to plan, and that's okay!
- Let go of small imperfections. A box in the wrong room isn't a disaster.
- Remember to enjoy the excitement of a new chapter, not just manage it.
- Your movers love you, by the way. You make our job so much easier!
⏰ THE LAST-MINUTE WARRIOR (Mostly B's)
Who you are:
You work best under pressure. Some might call it procrastination; you call it "motivation optimization." Moving day arrives and suddenly you transform into a packing machine powered by adrenaline and questionable amounts of coffee.
Your superpower:
You're adaptable, flexible, and surprisingly efficient when the pressure's on. No time for overthinking—you just DO.
Your kryptonite:
Chaos. Forgotten items. That one box labeled "random stuff" that contains your passport, a fork, and a picture frame.
Rusty's tips for you:
- Start your essentials box NOW. Even if you pack nothing else early, pack that one box.
- Set a fake deadline 2 days before your real moving day.
- Embrace the chaos, but keep important documents separate and in your own hands.
- Consider our packing services—we can turn chaos into order in no time!
💝 THE SENTIMENTAL PACKER (Mostly C's)
Who you are:
Every item tells a story. That chipped bowl? Wedding gift. Those ratty towels? First apartment. You don't just pack belongings—you pack memories. Moving isn't just logistics; it's an emotional journey.
Your superpower:
You value what matters. You'll never throw away something precious by accident because you actually consider each item.
Your kryptonite:
You're slow. Really slow. And you might end up keeping things you don't actually need because of emotional attachment.
Rusty's tips for you:
- Give yourself permission to feel the emotions, but set a timer for reminiscing.
- Take photos of sentimental items before donating—you keep the memory without the clutter.
- Pack the emotional items last so you don't get stuck on day one.
- Your new home will create new memories. Bring what matters most, and trust the future!
👋 THE DELEGATOR (Mostly D's)
Who you are:
Why do yourself what professionals can do better? You value your time, you know your limits, and you're not afraid to pay for expertise. Moving is a service industry, and you're a smart consumer.
Your superpower:
Low stress, high efficiency. You show up rested and ready to enjoy your new place.
Your kryptonite:
If communication breaks down, you might not know where anything is. And valuables? Make sure YOU handle those.
Rusty's tips for you:
- Always keep valuables, documents, and medications with you personally.
- Be available by phone on moving day for questions.
- Walk through with the team at the end to confirm everything arrived.
- We love working with delegators—just make sure to give us clear instructions!
🔬 THE PERFECTIONIST RESEARCHER (Mostly E's)
Who you are:
You've watched every YouTube video, read every article, and know the optimal humidity level for storing wooden furniture. You don't just pack—you engineer a packing solution. Your boxes are works of art.
Your superpower:
Your stuff arrives in pristine condition. You've optimized every variable.
Your kryptonite:
Analysis paralysis. You might spend so much time researching the "best" way that you run out of time to actually do it.
Rusty's tips for you:
- Done is better than perfect. A moved item in a good box beats an unmoved item waiting for the perfect box.
- Trust your preparation—at some point, you have to execute.
- Your research is valuable! But don't forget to also trust your movers' experience.
- You and Scotty McBox would get along great!
What Every Moving Style Has in Common
No matter your style, some truths are universal:
- Start earlier than you think you need to. (Even you, Last-Minute Warriors!)
- Keep valuables and documents with YOU. Not in the truck, not in a box—with you.
- Stay hydrated and fed. Moving is physical work, even if you're "just" supervising.
- Communicate with your movers. Tell us about fragile items, tight spaces, and anything unusual.
- It's okay if it's not perfect. Moves are stressful. You're doing great.
My Favorite Part of Every Style
After 1,347 moves, I've learned to appreciate every type of mover:
- Hyper-Planners make my job smooth and efficient.
- Last-Minute Warriors remind me that humans are amazingly adaptable.
- Sentimental Packers remind me that I'm not just carrying furniture—I'm carrying lives.
- Delegators trust us completely, and that feels great.
- Perfectionist Researchers teach me new techniques I've never seen!
Whatever your style, I'm honored to be part of your moving day. Every kilometer tells a story—and your story matters.
Every kilometer tells a story!
Ready to Move Your Way?
Whether you're a Planner who needs a detailed quote or a Last-Minute Warrior who needs us tomorrow (we'll try!), Pro Action Transport is here for you.
Let's make your move a good story.
Call us: 514-266-1239
Rusty Allen — Rusty's Chronicle
Since 2017 • 1,347 moves completed • 380,000 km across Quebec
"Every kilometer tells a story!"