Moving is stressful, and if you’re relocating across the country because of a job, the stress is even worse. You have to keep appointments in mind, schedule an appraisal, make any necessary repairs, and do whatever comes up regarding the house. Add all of that to handling a family and a job, and you’re going to find yourself stressed. To help you relieve some of the stress, here are some tips to help you have an easier time making your move happen.
Prepare for the Move
When you have to go through a major move, it helps if you prepare yourself for what is to come in the process. Start with creating a checklist and a budget to help you decide on where to begin. Keep in mind that your timeline may be different from someone else’s because you may only have a couple of weeks, while others may have a few months. Your budget will also vary depending on your distance and what you need to cover during the move.
You may also want to consider hiring professional movers if it will be too difficult to make your move. Individual circumstances would dictate whether this is needed to remove stress from your plate, but if you want to hire professional movers, be sure to include them in your budget. You may also be interested in shipping your car instead of driving. Make some calls, read reviews, get quotes, and once you have all of that information, you’ll feel confident in making your choice.
Something else to think about is that you’ll need to tie up all the loose ends before you leave. Contacts include utility companies, the post office, your job duties if you’re relocating, schools, and anywhere else you have obligations. Some in-person visits may be required, while other times, you may be able to conduct all your business over the phone or via email. Make a list of who you need to contact and why, so you’re prepared when the time comes.
Decluttering and Packing
Before you pack anything up, always declutter first. By doing so, you won’t take anything you don’t need, and you’ll lighten your overall load to get it done. You need to figure out what you want to keep, toss, or donate for everything from your kitchen to your furniture to your clothes. It’s a lot, so plan out your schedule to get it all done in a comfortable timeframe.
After you’ve decluttered, you’ll be ready to start packing. Select your boxes carefully as you go because while you may be able to get free boxes, you want them to be sturdy enough to make the move without damaging your things. Sturdy boxes are the best way to go, and you may want to consider adding them to your moving expense to make sure your boxes are up for the task.
As you pack your boxes, don’t forget to set time limits for yourself because you can quickly get overwhelmed in the process. Break down your packing into smaller steps where you focus on a single area at a time. Dedicate yourself to that time and place, and only move on when you’ve finished one space first.
Be careful not to overpack a box, either, because if you do, you might end up with boxes that are too heavy to move or boxes that don’t stack easily for moving. Don’t be afraid to use more boxes if you need them because it will be easier for you on the back end once you’ve gotten to your destination.
Something else to remember is to use smaller boxes for heavy items like books. Too many books in a large box is a problem waiting to happen.
Simple Tips and Tricks for Packing and Unpacking
Once you arrive at your destination, you’re going to have to unpack and settle into your new home. Depending on what you take with you, it could be overwhelming without a plan to tackle those boxes and find a place for your things in your new home.
When you’re packing up your boxes, it’s a good idea to label each box with a different color to go with each room. Different colored duct tape can be helpful, and so can actual labels on the boxes. By doing so, you’ll know which boxes go in which room upon arrival. If you arrive at your new home before your stuff, you can even go one step further and put a label or piece of tape on each room and direct the movers to color match the boxes with their rooms.
Furniture is also notoriously difficult to place after arriving when you also have to reassemble anything, so taking pictures before taking things apart can be helpful when the time comes.
When you’re packing up pieces like bolts and screws, put them in a plastic bag and double bag it to prevent breakage. Label everything, so you know what it belongs to when you get to your new home. Electronics are similar as they have so many parts, so take pictures of where cords are attached so you can get it all in working order.
On Moving Day
The best-laid plans can fall apart, so always have a contingency plan, too. If you can assign someone to play the part of the moving director, that will also make your life easier. Someone that can take charge and make decisions on your behalf will make everything move along smoothly, especially if you’re using professional movers, too.
Try not to rush through loading your stuff onto a moving truck. You might be tempted to go as fast as you can, but if you go too fast, you run the risk of damaging your things or not packing things the best way possible. The last thing you want is to find your things broken when you arrive at your destination, so taking your time to get it packed right results in a more pleasant moving experience.
Certain items also should not get loaded on the truck without a plan. As an example, certain things should be packed separately or disposed of before moving day. Moving paint can be a disaster waiting to happen, so if you have household paint, search for a recycling company where you can drop things off beforehand. If you must take paint or other chemicals like Sterno fuel or even batteries, pack them individually and separately from other items to avoid problems while moving.
Settling into Your New Home
Getting to your new home can be exciting and exhausting all at the same time, so when you do get there, the last thing you’ll want to deal with is unpacking right away. You need a tote or bin with your essentials like some basic clothes, cleaning supplies, bed sheets, towels, and toiletries. Pack it like you would pack for a hotel visit and add sheets for your bed and towels for your bathroom, so you have something to use for the first few nights as you begin unpacking.
You’ll also need a box cutter to make opening up boxes easier on you. If you don’t have a box cutter, consider placing a string like twine or yarn down the center where the tape goes. You’ll need to tape it down with packing tape leaving just a little on the end exposed. Upon arrival, you can pull the string to open the box even if you don’t have scissors or a box cutter.
Unpacking can also feel incredibly overwhelming, seeing all of the boxes stacked up in various rooms. Create a game plan on what order to go in ahead of time to save yourself a headache. It’s a good idea to start with the kitchen because you need most of what will be in there soon after a move. Finishing the kitchen also brings forth a sense of accomplishment.
Aim for one room a day or two if the rooms are small. To help you keep going when you reach the burnout stage, create a deadline for yourself. Having a housewarming party or other get-together after settling in can encourage getting your house done. At the same time, don’t stress yourself out and take it a little bit at a time every day. While some people can spend hours unpacking, others need to do it in short spurts, and that’s okay, too.
A Few Last Words on Making Your Move Easier
Start the process with a clear head by preparing for the move with plenty of time. Create a timeline and a budget, so you know what lies ahead of you. Declutter what you don’t need, and then pack what you’ll need later. Once you get to moving day, you’ll be set to get things going, but don’t rush because you could end up accidentally breaking something. After you get to your new home, you can start getting yourself settled, but take it at the pace you need to go. If you can do it quickly, go for it. If you need more time, accept that you can go at your rate and just get it done when you can.