Moving on to a new city, buying your first home, relocating to a better neighborhood…moving is an important, life- altering event that should be one of the most exciting and happy occasions you’ll ever experience. Unfortunately, the only things that are more stressful than moving are paying taxes and getting a divorce. There are so many details that you have to handle, and the process of taking inventory of your belongings ends up being a major hassle. It doesn’t have to be a total headache, though. Moving your household to a different location is something to be endured, and when it’s over you’ll be able to move on to the joys of settling into your new life. Getting through the moving process can have you pulling your hair out by the handful, or you can take our advice and follow a few tips for de-stressing the moving experience.
Make a “To Do” List
There really is a lot to cover in the weeks leading up to a move. You have to locate a removal company, have the utilities shut off at the old house and connected at the new house, register the kids in their new school… You will feel so much better about all the different things you have to do if you write them all down on a checklist. Start well in advance of the scheduled move and make a list of all the errands you need to run and phone calls you have to make. Keep your list handy so you can add to the list whenever something else comes to mind. You’ll feel great every time you get to cross something off because you’ve completed the task, and you’ll be a lot less likely to overlook something important.
Hire Professional Movers
The benefits of hiring a professional removals company to handle the packing, loading, hauling, unloading and setting up of your household are enormous in comparison to a do-it-yourself removal. You might save a few pennies by trying to take on the job of your own, but after you factor in the costs of fuel, of renting a moving van, and of possibly damage to your home or belongings, you could end up spending far more than it would cost to let the pros handle everything. Not to mention you’ll save an aching back and a few smashed fingers.
Label Everything
If you let the professional movers handle the packing job, then they will come supplied with lots of rigid cardboard containers, packing tape and wrapping paper to get all of your effects neatly and safely tucked away for transport. These experienced moving men know how to fit odd-shaped items and protect fragile knick-knacks from damage, so it’s best to let them handle the job. However, if you want to take care of the packing yourself, or at least you want to pack your most personal or valuable items yourself, always take care to mark each and every box by labeling with the proper room and at least a general list of contents. You may find that some boxes can wait in the garage or the storage unit to get unpacked, and others need to be used right away. Labeling helps you get at the things you need in a timely manner.
Purge!
This is the perfect time to downsize and de-clutter. When you are going through your closet to pack all of your clothes, shoes and handbags along to the new house, why not put a Donation Box to the side and toss in that sweater you haven’t worn in a couple of years, or that handbag your mother-in-law gave you for Christmas that you’ve always hated. Anything that you haven’t used in six months you probably don’t need, and someone else might actually have a good use for it. You’ll also find a lot of things as you are packing that are worn out, broken down or in need of repair that will probably never happen. Don’t bring rubbish with you to your new home- throw out all that ratty stuff you’ve been hanging onto and try not to become a hoarder.
Pack an Overnight Bag
It’s finally here. Moving day has arrived, and you’ve been on the go since sunrise, supervising the movers, traveling, arranging furniture, unpacking boxes… You will probably be completely exhausted, and you may not be able to find the box with your bathroom toiletries or the case with all your nighties when you reach the end of your first evening in the new home. Pack an overnight bag with the essentials you would need to spend the night away in a hotel. You’ll be glad you can just grab your toothbrush and slip into your pajamas without sorting through a stack of packing boxes before you can lay down your head.
