While the idea of moving to a new part of town, city, state, or country may sound exciting and adventurous, the reality of the matter is quite the opposite. Packing is rarely an enjoyable endeavor, and a lot of times it results in more stress than you’d think possible. To stay ahead of the curve and fight back against stress, follow these 5 tips that will help you manage stress before, during, and after the big move.
1. Get Organized
The first order of business when preparing to move is to get organized. Hash out a plan and make sure that everyone involved in the move is on the same page. Make To-Do lists and move from room to room instead of trying to tackle packing the entire house at once. Label boxes according to what room they belong in and pack an overnight bag so that when you get to where you’re going, you’re not in a mad dash to get everything unpacked in one night.
2. Pencil in Time and Deadlines
Moving takes time. Schedule time off work in advance if need be to avoid the stressful mess of having to clear out of your apartment or former home by a certain deadline. Pencil in a lot of time to transition from one home to another. Allowing yourself plenty of time will do wonders for your stress levels.
To make this easier, give yourself mini-deadlines. Pack a room a day or tell yourself you’ll unpack for 2 hours each night after dinner. This will mitigate stress and ensure that you get the job done.
3. Get Rid of the Clutter
It’s easier to pack when you don’t have a bunch of clutter getting in your way. Before you start packing things away in boxes, take some time to sort through your things and get rid of anything you no longer need. Streamline the process by making 3 piles: Donate, Sell, Toss.
You can eliminate clutter in the kitchen, too, by eating up what you can before the move.
4. Boxes, Boxes, and More Boxes…And Tape
This cannot be stressed enough. Boxes are like gold in the world of moving. You can never have too many. During the weeks leading up to the big move, begin collecting boxes, newspapers or store ads, and packing tape. Many grocery stores will actually give you their leftover boxes for free if you call ahead and request them. Having a plethora of boxes in an array of sizes, packing materials and tape will make packing a breeze.
5. Invest in Movers
When moving, you’ll need every bit of help you can get. Locking down a helping hand is key to eliminating stress the day of the move. Spend a little money to hire professional movers and even enlist the help of family and friends. This will speed up the process and help everything run smoothly.
If you follow these 5 tips, moving day will be a piece of cake.