Moving house is regularly listed as one of life’s most stressful events, so it is important to do all you can to make sure it does not become an overwhelming experience
Here are 10 ways to manage your stress before, during, and after you’ve boxed up your life…
1. Get Organised
Write a list of all the things you need to do prior to, during and after the move. If you can plan ahead, try to allow yourself at least eight weeks. Giving yourself plenty of time will allow you to organise a schedule to ensure you designate sufficient time to complete each item on your task list and collect all the necessary materials you will need for your move.
2. Create A Document Box
Store all important documents, such as passports, house deeds, wills and insurance papers in one box or file to ensure easy access. This should then be placed somewhere where you will not lose it. It may also be a good idea to create electronic copies of important documents by scanning and saving them onto a computer.
3. Notify Important Parties
Inform utility companies, your bank, insurance provider, employer, etc, of your new address. If you have kids, ensure their current schools are ready to transfer their records. It’s also important to have everyone’s medical records along with recommendations for doctors in your new local area.
4. Organise Your Removals
It’s time to decide if you are able to move yourself or need to hire a moving company. It may be tempting to not see these as a priority and leave them to the last minute but make sure you book your removals early. It is worth getting several quotes before making a final decision and always ensure your possessions are insured while in transit.
5. Clear Out The Clutter
Go through all your belongings, decide what’s worth keeping and throw away, sell or recycle any unwanted items – this will make life easier on moving day as you’ll have less to pack and you can look forward to a clutter-free new home. Here’s the fun part: Eat through the contents of your refrigerator and freezer – spend the weeks prior to your move creating oddball meals based on whatever happens to be in your cupboards. And don’t forget to drink all your booze!
6. Accumulate Boxes
Start accumulating a stack of newspapers and boxes several weeks prior to your move. Ask friends if they have leftover boxes from previous moves or visit local grocery stores. If you’re willing to splurge, you can buy boxes – The benefit of this is that they’ll all be standard sizes, making them easier to stack and load.
7. Packing
Clearly label each box with its contents and the room to which it belongs. Pack important and sentimental items separately so they are easily accessible and properly protected; transport these items yourself on moving day.
8. Pack A Suitcase
Packing a suitcase or ‘day of the move’ box with essential items and clothes prevents the need to dig through multiple boxes for important items on moving day.
9. Go With The Flow
Unplanned events will happen, so you need to be flexible and allow yourself some extra breathing room to deal with these problems. It may be worth having a backup plan, a list of options should some of the major pieces of your move fall out of place. For instance, keep a short list of back up movers and rental agencies, just in case. Plan for alternatives – you’ll feel better knowing that your uncle and his two-ton truck is available should you need it.
10. Visit your new area
If you are moving to somewhere you are not familiar with, visit the local neighbourhood and have a walk around the area. This can make the transition to your new house less overwhelming and you can begin to feel at home in your new town. It will also allow you to find the closest shops so you will know where to go to stock up on necessities during your first few busy days.
And remember to breathe…