Five Tips to Make Moving Less Stressful
While there’s no way to make moving completely stress-free, there are things you can do to keep stress levels low.
27/04/2019
A lot of people put off relocating because it is a stressful experience. There is anxiety about the process running smoothly and hoping that nothing will get lost or damaged.
Before the move comes the daunting task of packing up all your worldly possessions. And afterward comes the unpacking process and finding the right place for everything.
While there’s no way to make moving completely stress-free, there are things you can do to keep stress levels low:
1. Decide how you plan to move
Usually, you know you’re moving a couple of months ahead of time. Before you do anything, decide how the move will happen. Shop around for competitive prices from moving companies and find out if they offer packing services. Most removal services are willing to do your packing for you.
For some people, the idea of leaving packing to someone else is a relief. For others, it’s a complete nightmare. Plan how you move according to which option gives you the most peace of mind.
Even if you decide to do your packing, get friends and family to help you. You can’t exhaust yourself before the move because there’s much to be done after it as well.
2. Organize ahead of time
As soon as you know a move might be on the cards, start preparing. Collect boxes and newspaper so that you don’t run out when it’s time to start packing. Have packing tape, labels, and markers ready.
Do a thorough inventory of everything in each room of your house. Visualize the most logical way to pack your things using the boxes and containers you have available. Assess whether you need to get more boxes.
Always plan to pack a box that will go to one room only. Therefore, don’t pack a box with items that go in the kitchen and the dining room.
3. Start packing immediately
As soon as you know you’re moving, start packing non-essentials into boxes. This will save you time as your moving day approaches. Ornaments and books are prime examples. If you’re moving during the summer, pack your winter clothes now.
Take your time with fragile valuables, wrapping them in newspaper or bubble wrap. As you pack, label each box or container. Rather be too detailed than too vague when it comes to labeling.
Don’t write ‘winter clothes’ on the box. Write down who’s winter clothes they are and where you want to box to go when you move into your new house.
4. Label everything
Don’t think that you only need to label your boxes with their contents. Put your family name and the address of your new home on each box.
It’s advisable to label your furniture as well. Use cardboard tags with your new address on them and tie them on with string. If you can’t tie the label to the furniture, pin it on with a safety pin.
5. Have an unpacking plan
If you’re able to, spend some time looking at each room in your new home. It will give you an idea of where everything must go when you move in.
Have an inventory of your boxes so that you know which ones will need to be unpacked immediately upon your arrival. Label all these boxes ‘A’. Label boxes that will be your second priority ‘B’; and so on.
Color-code each box or piece of furniture with sticky dots based on which room it must go to. On the day of the move, put a colored paper of corresponding colors on the door of each room. It makes it easier to get each box and piece of furniture into the right room.