There are things in life that can either be extremely stressful or could be wonderfully exciting. Did you know that moving homes is one of the most stressful events in a person’s life? However, when it has to be done it has to be done. It can also be super exciting especially if you’re moving into your own home, moving for work, or just upgrading. Moving can be expensive and time-consuming, however, there are a few ways that you can make it easier on yourself.
To-do List
Start with a to-do list. Writing one is usually half the battle when it comes to managing your time and getting things done on time. Because moving involves a lot of steps you want to ensure that you have jotted down everything you need to get done and when. You may need to break this up by task type or days to make it easier and seem more manageable.
You can carry a notebook with you or jot it down on your phone, there are plenty of handy apps available that will allow you to send reminders to yourself. This is a great way to stay on top of things and ensure that you don’t miss anything. Add your tasks to your calendar, if you’re moving with your significant other, family, or friends you can sync up your online calendars so that everyone has access and knows what needs to be done and by when. This will save you a lot of stress and time trying to coordinate with everyone.
One Room At A Time
It can be overwhelming to take a look around your current home. Realizing that you need to pack every last item. To reduce this overwhelm and stress, pack one room at a time. Pick one room and focus on that one until it is complete. This will also help you later when you unpack as your items will be organized by room. Breaking down big tasks into smaller manageable tasks is the best way to deal with a stressful situation.
Labels
You’re very likely labeling boxes as you pack them up, however, you want to try and get as specific as possible. You want to avoid the nightmare of turning up to your new home with a bunch of unlabelled or vaguely labeled boxes. Having to open up and inspect them will add a lot more unnecessary commotion to your unpacking process. To avoid this hassle, ensure that you are labeling your boxes super specifically. The folks at Bayside Removals recommend categorizing each box, such as separating summer clothes from winter clothes. You could try labeling each box with a number and noting down what is in each box.
Don’t Procrastinate
There’s nothing worse than watching the days tick by as your belongings loom all around you. Do your best not to procrastinate as you certainly want to start sooner rather than later. The longer you leave it, the more overwhelming and stressful it will become. Even if you start super small, packing one cupboard every day, say. This will add up and reduce your to-do list in the days to come.
Before you pack, start by getting rid of things you no longer need. This will also help you to take less stuff to your new home and ensures you don’t take along any unnecessary items.
Plan Ahead
Having a well-thought-out plan ahead of moving day is crucial. Ensure that you have taken care of all the niggly bits, like checking to see if you can reserve the service elevator on the day of the move. Ensuring that all the final checks for your current place are done before your moving day or on the day. Get everything out of the way so that on moving day, the only thing you are doing is moving.
You may need your furniture disassembled, ensure this is done well in advance. Certainly, don’t wait until the night before or the day of. As you don’t always know how long it will take or if you need extra tools or boxes. If you need to rope in extra hands, do this well in advance. Call up friends or family to see if they can help. Don’t wait till the last minute or plan to wing it. Think ahead to avoid any moving day meltdowns.
Move Boxes Into Rooms
Once you get to your new home, don’t just dump all the boxes in the living room or hall. Instead, using your labeling system, ensure all the boxes are sent to their rightful rooms. This way, you have already cut down half the stress of finding, identifying, and moving boxes to where they’re supposed to be. Don’t be afraid to ask to have them moved to different rooms as it won’t take a ton of extra manpower, but it will save you a lot of time and hassle in the long run.
Sleep
Bad quality sleep is sure to exacerbate any symptoms arising from stress. Ensure that you are getting good sleep on the days leading up to the move as well as the day of. If you are having trouble doing this, implement a sleep hygiene routine. Less caffeine, less technology an hour before bed. Try running a bath or stretching before bed. All of this can help relax you and induce a restful night’s sleep. Prioritize getting good sleep during your move and encourage anyone else moving with you to do the same. Trust me, this can help prevent a lot of moodiness or bickering. Your efficiency and productivity will probably improve a whole lot and you’ll feel a lot better about the process.
Now that you have a better understanding of how to organize yourself, the process of moving no longer needs to be a source of stress. There are a few ways to de-stress and make the process a lot smoother for you. It requires some forethought and planning but is sure to make the move a lot easier. Once the move is done, take yourself out for a nice dinner or massage, you’ll certainly have earned it!
