Moving is widely agreed to be one of the most stressful processes we endure in life. What often starts as an exciting idea can turn into a mountain of stress as you approach the moving date. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to make this transition as smooth as a move as possible.
Shop Around
If you’re using the help of professional movers, you’ll want to research your options well in advance. Different movers specialize in different types of moves, and it will be the most cost effective to find a moving company that specializes or offers lower rates for the kind of move you’re going to make.
Once you’ve figured out what sort of options you’re looking for, try and get at least three quotes from companies that offer similar services. Make sure to check out reviews and policies- you want a great deal but consider that they are going to be responsible for many or all your belongings!
Organize
Whether you’re moving down the street or across the country, it can difficult to grasp just how much planning is necessary to move. That kind of floating unknown can add a heaping amount of anxiety to something that is already stressful.
Keeping a “moving” binder or folder is a great way to keep your plan organized. The binder can be filled with checklists, to do lists, and calendars of important dates (Ex. “Cancel cable services by THIS date”). Sectionalizing like this can help you focus on what needs to be handled each day. Perhaps more importantly to your stress level, it also will help take your mind off tasks scheduled for other days, knowing that they will be handled at their planned date/time.
Planning the Pack
In the 24 hours leading up to your move, you will have plenty on your plate. Having everything packed up well before then frees you up to be available for everything else. But where to start?
It is helpful to look at your belongings in terms of when you will need them. Make coffee every morning? Obviously, your coffee maker is something that you won’t want to pack until the day of the move. Conversely, if you’re moving in the summer, those winter coats, hats, and mittens can probably be boxed up weeks beforehand.
One idea is to set a specific amount of time to pack every day leading up to the move. The earlier you start, the easier it will be to monitor your progress and adjust the amount of allotted time as needed.
Containers
Before packing certain items in moving boxes, consider if they can be used as containers to pack other items. You can maximize the usefulness of doing this by keeping similar items together. For instance, plastic kitchen tubs or pots and pans can store things like food and spices. Suitcases with wheels are particularly handy for heavy items, such as shoes.
Make sure to leave at least one suitcase or backpack free for moving day essentials. This could include a change of clothes, phone charger, toiletries, anything you need for the next night or two. You don’t want to go digging through all those boxes for that one thing you forgot you needed!
Unpacking
After all the energy and work put into getting to this point, it’s understandable that some don’t want to unpack everything right away. Luckily, if you follow our advice for packing, you’ve already created a practical plan: just unpack the reverse of how you packed!
Keep the first day limited to the items that you need or use the most. Then from that point forward, pick the next most needed items to unpack. You could even set a specific time per day to work. You may find that once you get started and begin to feel the excitement of seeing your new home take form, you end up doing more than you planned.