How To Make Moving Manageable
After the initial challenge of preparing to buy a home, moving house is proven to be one of the most stressful events you will encounter in your lives. The good thing is that most of you won’t have to do it very often, or many times. This doesn’t mean however that it’s not a terrifying ordeal picturing all of your precious belongs being stuffed into boxes and carted around, not to mention, unpacking them and setting up the new place. There are many strategies to consider at the planning, moving and unpacking stages in order to make your move stress free as possible.
Keep lists
You should prepare both a to-do list and a checklist before you start moving and keep both of them with you at all times. Depending on how you prefer to do things, there are apps available to help you organise yourself, or you could simply use old-fashioned paper and pen. You should aim to plan your tasks according to the day you intend to complete them. There will be many things to consider, that isn’t just shoving things into boxes. There are many steps you need to take in order to go through the long process of a move. You need to remember to disconnect your utilities and other bills, write these dates down. Write down the phone numbers you need and the appointments you have made, there will be a lot of things to memorize otherwise. Keep your to-do list with you so you can keep adding to it, as unfortunately there will be unforeseen issues, and take your checklist with you as well, so that you can get immediate satisfaction from completing a task.
Don’t delay
Get started as soon as possible, even though you are aware of the daunting task at hand, it will probably take longer than you’ve imagined. Don’t procrastinate and keep the end goal in sight. Make all the necessary calls and appointments with plenty of time. It’s a good idea to choose a less popular working day to move, or a week day. Contact the movers and ask for advice. Your employers will be understanding and depending on where you work you might be entitled to a personal day for moving house. Make sure you plan the time well in advance.
Get assistance
It should be obvious that it’ll be next to impossible to get through this without help. If you’re lucky enough to have loved ones volunteer to help you move, why not try to make it fun. You could create a game or a race out of it, for example who can pack the most boxes the fastest. Make a party for them or buy them dinner or something in return, and try to focus on how you’re going to celebrate afterwards.
Be organised
Pack one room at a time and label all the boxes according to said room. You could implement a labelling system such as “B” for bedroom and “L” for living room or number the boxes as well. Assign someone to each room and try to be as efficient as possible. Use similar sized boxes so that they can “tessellate” easily in the removals truck. You want to be able to stack the boxes on top of each other to keep your belongings safe from breaking and to fit in as many as possible. When you’re unpacking as well organize the boxes into the rooms that they will eventually be unpacked into. These are all little time saving devices which you will be grateful for later.
Learn to let go
It might be an idea before you pack anything to really go through your things and consider whether you actually need to take them with you or not. Donate or toss out the things that you haven’t used or worn in over a year and get rid of the stuff you didn’t even remember having. If you haven’t needed any of it recently why will you need it in the new house? There’s no point carrying extra junk. Organise your things into “keep”, “toss”, “sell” and “donate” containers.
Prepare yourself mentally and physically
Be sure to get a good night’s sleep the night before moving day and treat yourself to a good carbo-load dinner. You will need the energy in the morning. Take regular breaks, drink plenty of fluids and have snacks prepared. It’ll be a long day and however organised you are it will still take a lot out of you.
