Give Yourself A Chance For A Stress-Free Moving

Moving most certainly won’t be stress-free, but these tips increase the changes to everything going more smoothly.

Plan ahead

Whenever you start something big, it is crucial that you plan ahead. Moving is certainly big enough to start making inventory and strategies for packing. Planning should start the moment the move is a done deal. This will keep you well organized, on the schedule and more importantly under the minimal stress.

Costs are the first thing you should start calculating. Moving is not cheap, and there are mortgage fees, removals, and storage you need to take into consideration. Being aware of your budget as early as possible will save you time, money and nerves when the big day comes.

Let people know

Like planning, informing people of your moving is another important step of the process. Besides friends, family, and neighbors which you already did, you have to inform other people and institutions. Make a list of all the important entities you should inform of your change of address like your bank or subscriptions.

Make a note to change the personal documents and inform your physician of the change of address. Additionally, if you had personalized bills, like mobile phone or credit card coming to your home address, you should inform them of change. All your regular deliveries, like milk, groceries or magazines should be canceled and/or informed of a new address.

It’s preparation time

Preparation is something that will help you organize your belongings and keep everything in order. This is probably one of the bigger phases of moving. It will require series of tasks which will make it easier for you to pack and relocate the things.

Preparation is also a perfect time to start going through your things and making a selection among them. Over the years, you probably collected many things you don’t need and which don’t belong in your new home. In order to make all this easier, use post-it papers to mark the things so you’ll know what to do with them. For example, make “keep”, “sell”, “throw away”, “give” post-its, and stick them on your things accordingly.

Additionally, order packing boxes online or buy them at the storage company. If you’re not sure how many you’ll need, you should be prepared to buy more, so place that under unpredicted expenses in the budget. Buy bubble wrap and Styrofoam for delicate and sensitive things. Also, don’t forget the tape to close the boxes and rope to tie up things like rugs. Lastly, take measures of furniture to see how to move it and if it can be carried into your home.

Time to pack

This is going to be the hardest part both physically and emotionally. After all, you’ll be packing your life away and all the memories will come back. However, focus on the future and a change before you. Embrace the new circumstances and start filling those boxes with things.

First, start packing non-essentials. These are things you don’t use every day and that you don’t need during the move. Usually, people include appliances they don’t use often, photo albums, books, Blu-Rays, DVDs, clothes, and footwear not for the season. When packing boxes, it could be useful to keep an inventory of each one. You can stick the list with things on the box to know where to start unpacking.

Essential things are next. This includes toiletries, documents, medicine, and other things you use on daily basis. Although you may be eating out or delivery during the packing period, make sure you leave the pet food among the essentials. Usually, packed essentials are things that last leave your former house and first enter the new one. So bear that in mind before you pack the toothbrushes or kid’s favorite toy with non-essentials.

Moving

The best you can do to relieve yourself of stress is to hire help. This doesn’t include friends and family which will help you with packing, but professionals to carry the bulky and heavy items. Although it may sound pricey, removalists are an affordable solution which will save you a lot of trouble.

Before you schedule the move, make sure that you know which items go with them, and which you will carry yourself. This refers to boxes with phone chargers, laptops, children toys, kettle, plates and non-perishable food. This is because you may move to your home first and then wait for the new furniture before the removalists bring the rest of your stuff.

Prepare your children

Children are sensitive to moving and you will have to be patient with them and explain what is going on. It’s better, to be honest, and make it an adventure. This will help them to see it as something fun and be more relaxed. Also, include them in packing and leave their rooms for the end. Their rooms represent their home, and if you slowly and lastly pack it, they will feel less stressed.

Unpacking

Unpacking is usually much easier since you’re excited to nest in the new home. However, this excitement can easily turn into quite a stress if you don’t use the same strategy as for packing – planning. Firstly, change the locks and see if you can sign up for the better utilities and services.

Next, give directions to your removalists where to place what and create a plan so you’ll know where to start. If all the furniture has arrived, and start from the rooms with the most priority like the kitchen and bedrooms. Remember that unpacking is not something you can do in a day, so allow yourself breaks and time to relax. Nevertheless, don’t let all those boxes occupying your home for weeks either. The faster you unpack, the sooner you’ll enjoy your new home.

Final notes

Moving is not something to be underestimated. It will take time and energy out of you. The things that will make it easier are good organization and people. When you unpack at your new home, introduce yourself to your new neighbors. Take a walk in the neighborhood, visit a coffee shop and take your children to the park. This will all help you to release the stress and feel welcome in your new home.