The day you leave your old place and head over to your new life and new home will be one of your life’s most emotional days. You will feel so many conflicting emotions like thrill and anxiety, hope and desperation, and joy and sadness.
The last thing you need is a bunch of extra stress on top. So naturally, a little planning can go a long way in making your moving day immensely smoother.
That’s why we prepared ten essential tips to help you get through this highly-emotional day with as few hiccups as possible.
Make a Moving Checklist
Your relocation into a new home starts with a checklist. You will need to write down every single step of the way to ensure you don’t accidentally forget anything. Of course, you can do so on your phone or even do it on a piece of paper if it’s more convenient.
Still, we believe modern technology has an edge over the old methods, so we urge you to create such a list on your phone and even more – in the cloud. This way, it would be practically impossible to lose the list, and it will always be in a handy spot right in your pocket.
Give yourself enough time to create this master plan, and don’t hesitate to add new tasks afterwards. You should remember that no small tasks can be excluded from the list, even if they are extremely obvious. Once the stress of moving out hits, you can’t imagine the obvious things you will forget to do.
It’s best to do the checklist chronologically, so construct your plan before writing it down.
Declutter Before Packing
Decluttering your home is helpful when moving out and, in general, greatly affects your mental health.
We know throwing away belongings is hard, but it must be done. After all, to get something new, you need to get rid of the old–else, you will get bogged down with too much stuff, and that isn’t pleasant. So, if you have clothes you haven’t worn for years but look new, just donate them. Millions would love to wear them instead of letting them hang in their closet’s deepest niche.
The best way to go for it is to establish a rule and the exceptions before you start sorting. So, for example, if you haven’t used an item for more than a year, it needs to go. Exceptions would include belongings with sentimental value, like wedding dresses and family heirlooms, as well as specific gear, like ski, climbing and camping equipment. The rest can go either to the trash or as a donation to a charity.
Book Movers On Time
The next big step is to book the help you will need. Whether it would be a moving company or a man and van service, you must book them in advance. Make sure to research the company and ask them for an estimated price in written form.
Unfortunately, some schemes with movers may cost you additional money, a lot of nerves, and even your belongings. So, book only reputable companies with enough recommendations and impartial online reviews.
Also, make sure they are licensed to operate and well known. As you can imagine, such companies get booked pretty quickly way in advance, so as soon as you decide when you will be moving out, book them and be done with it.
Don’t Pack Everything in One Day
Packing your entire life will definitely overwhelm you. Naturally, you must give yourself enough time to be able to process the change that’s happening. So, don’t pack in at the last possible minute.
Give yourself at least a week to be able to pack everything. Otherwise, you may (and you probably will) forget something precious. The more time you have, the easier the packing will go. You will have time to go through memory lane and, more importantly, decide what to pack and let go.
Finally, by giving yourself enough time, you can sort your belongings according to a system that will help you unpack.
Label Boxes
Labelling your boxes is essential for your quick unpacking. Usually, the unpacking can last up to a year. But, by simply placing the right boxes at the right spot, you can cut this time short in half or even more. So, make a system of labelling.
For example, all kitchen utensils should be labelled Utensils, kitchen. This way, you will know what’s inside and where the box should go.
If you have the time and nerves, you can even make an inventory list of what’s in the box. For example, you may have 13 boxes of kitchen utensils. So, if you need the pans and have the box containing them labelled, you won’t have to go through 12 other boxes before making lunch in your new home.
Photograph Valuables and Fragile Items
Before you start packing, take photographs of any valuables or fragile items you own. This will help you document the condition of these items before the move and ensure that they are properly packed and protected during the move.
Moreover, if the moving company breaks something, you will be able to prove that it’s their fault. Naturally, that won’t bring your valuables back, but it will make you eligible for compensation.
Protect Any Valuables When Packing
When packing your valuables and fragile items, be sure to use proper packing materials, such as bubble wrap or packing paper. Also, consider using special boxes designed for these items, such as dish boxes or wardrobe boxes.
If you decide on using regular boxes, make sure not to overload them and not to leave empty spaces in the box. This will help ensure that your items arrive at your new home in good condition.
Have Someone Look After Your Children and Pets
Moving day will be chaotic, and children and pets will get in your way. They will mess things up, scatter belongings, cry, put tantrums and want to play.
So don’t make the day more stressful than it already is. Just ask a friend or a family member to look after them on moving day.
If you can’t ask anyone, consider hiring a babysitter or a pet sitter to get them out of the house and spend some time with them elsewhere. Needless to say, you need to use reputable companies for these services. Leaving your kids with uncredited strangers is not ideal.
Hydrate and Eat
Moving day can be physically demanding, so staying hydrated and regularly eating throughout the day is essential. Be sure to have plenty of water and snacks on hand, and take breaks as needed to rest and recharge.
Do a Final Walkthrough
Before leaving your old home, do a final walkthrough to ensure you haven’t forgotten anything. Check all the rooms, closets, and cabinets, and ensure everything is packed and ready to go. Also, turn off all the lights and lock all the doors before leaving.
It’s chaos, but it’s for the best
Moving day will be stressful, chaotic and demanding, but it will also be exciting and full of hope and joy. It’s not every day you change your home, so naturally, it will be challenging, but ultimately it’s a new beginning.
So follow our 10 tips to reduce the negative aspects of your move and enhance the pure joy that comes with it.
