Whether it’s down the street or across the world, moving into a new home can become a rather stressful and daunting process. No matter how prepared you seem to be, something always goes wrong. You may not find a box you’ve spent hours looking for or you may take longer to get the job done. Whatever the case may be, it’s crucial that you remain positive.
Try to have a contingency plan in place that will rectify those common mistakes. For example, take your most valuable items with you while you travel and insure any fragile items so you can recover the funds if they are damaged. There’s also the emotional stress and crunch time that seems to accompany a move. Leaving the place you call home is stressful, especially when you’re working within a limited time frame. Nevertheless, we believe that with the right mindset and advice, you can ensure your move is as stress-free as possible. Don’t believe us? Keep reading to find out how!
Find the Best Moving Services
No matter how carefully you plan for success, if you don’t find moving services with a great reputation and track record, all your efforts will be made null. When you have a professional and qualified team by your side, a large majority of the stress begins to ease away. We recommend you ask for referrals and evaluate several options.
Arrange Mail Redirection
When you move to a new location, you need to account for things such as your post and mailing address. You don’t want the people in your old home receiving all your packages and sensitive information. Therefore, we recommend you arrange mail redirection as soon as possible. Give yourself a few weeks before the move to apply.
Declutter Before You Pack
The last thing you want to do is waste your time packing and unpacking things you no longer use or want. Therefore, one of the best things you can do before you begin the moving process is to declutter. Try to be as ruthless as possible. Donate unwanted items that still have use and recycle anything else. You can even set up a yard sale to cover some of your moving funds.
Write up an Inventory Sheet
After spending several years in one place, you’ll be surprised to find how many items you’ve accumulated. When you move to a new location, it’s important to know what you’re moving and where it’s stored. Use a spreadsheet to take inventory of all your items and what is in each box. This will also help you take out an insurance policy on your items.
Create a Packing Plan
Believe it or not, there is an art to packing. Start by packing items by the room they are in. Try to keep essentials stored together and items that you don’t use as often packed away first. Once you know what is in each box, make sure to write this down in your inventory list so you can keep track of what’s where.
Purchase Your Supplies
Before you get started with your packing process, you’ll need to purchase all the necessary items. This includes things like a wide range of different-sized boxes, scissors, markers, duct tape, and packing paper. For more fragile items, you may want to invest in more sturdy packing essentials like bubble wrap. You can also use towels to add another layer of protection.
Keep Emotions in Check
We understand that leaving a home filled with memories can be emotionally difficult. However, it’s important to try and distinguish the physical space from the memories you created. Try to keep your emotions in check and put a brave face on during the move. This will help you stay as focused as possible.
Start as Early as Possible
The earlier you can get started, the better. You should never start packing your most-used items ahead of time, however, there are a few things you can cross off the to-do list early. This includes redirecting your mail, purchasing supplies, decluttering your home, and packing up your least-used items. Give yourself a good month or two before the move to start getting things in order.
Take Frequent Breaks
Not only can moving be emotionally draining, but it can also be physically taxing. That’s why you should take as many breaks as possible during the process. Make sure to step outside and get some fresh air to remove yourself from the chaos of the parking zone. A great way to ensure you get plenty of work done while enjoying some free time is by setting yourself some goals. Give yourself a 30-minute break each time you finish packing up a room of the house.
Keep Essentials in One Place
One of the greatest life hacks when it comes to moving is to pack all your essentials in a few boxes. This could include items like a frying pan, a few plates, some cutlery, bedding, and basic toiletries. This way, you can look for your box of essentials and unpack that as soon as you settle into your new home.
Clean as You Go
Once you’ve completed all the leg work of sorting and packing, you’re often left with the huge task of cleaning your home from top to bottom. In order to make the entire process less tedious, we recommend that you try and clean as you go. This way you can fully relax once you’ve taped up the last few boxes.
Adopt a Positive Mindset
At the end of the day, you need to adopt a positive mindset. Yes, things may go wrong, but if you’ve prepared as best as possible, the consequences shouldn’t be so tough. Try to practice mindfulness as often as you can during this entire process. Make sure to write a checklist and go over it as many times as possible. Organization is key to ensuring a stress free move. We hope this guide has provided plenty of guidance and advice!
