Four Tips That Will Reduce Your Stress When You Move
Moving can be a stressful time for most people, but there are several things you can do to lessen the anxious moments and make the move a smooth experience. Below are four tips that will help free your mind from worry as you get ready for a move.
Get Started Packing Immediately
Many people underestimate how much time and effort it takes to pack up their possessions. That's why, as soon as you know you will be moving,you should begin the process of packing. Procrastination will make you feel overwhelmed, causing your stress level to rise.
Avoid procrastination by dividing the packing of your items into easily managed "chunks." For example, set a goal to pack one closet per day and complete a room in one weekend. Of course, there are some things that can't be packed until just before you move, but getting started early will make the final days before the move much easier.
Assemble the Necessary Supplies
Another way to reduce your stress level is by gathering the right supplies you need for a move. Don't attempt to skimp on boxes, for example, or try to use cartons that are inadequate for the task. If necessary, purchase boxes that are designed for moving; the modest investment in sturdy, correctly sized cartons will help preserve your sanity.
In addition, obtain and use containers specifically designed to move difficult or irregular objects, such as televisions, artwork, antiques and other similar goods. The alternative is attempting to piece together a container that may fail and cause your possessions to break.
On top of that, be sure to buy plenty of tape, packing paper, bubble wrap, and tools that will help make the job easier. For example, a tape gun will speed up the job of sealing cartons and eliminate frustrations over peeling back tape from a loose roll.
Pack the Right Way
The actual job of packing items into a box is often an afterthought, leading to things being tossed into opened boxes without consideration. However, if you don't use strategic thinking when packing, you are likely to become stressed after the boxes have been moved and unpacking commences. Below are a few hints that will help:
-
Pack boxes with items from one room or area - Don't mix possessions from various parts of your home in cartons. Instead, dedicate boxes to hold contents from one area only.
-
Clearly label boxes with destination - Use a heavy magic marker to label your boxes with the appropriate destination at the new home. Avoid using abbreviations that are ambiguous or confusing; for example, don't write "BR" on a box, since that can represent "bedroom" or "bathroom."
-
Segregate critical items from everything else - When you finally arrive at your new destination, you don't want to scramble to find the items you need on a daily basis. For example, keep medications, important paperwork, eyeglasses or contacts, cell phones, computers and other things you access frequently out of the boxes containing items bound for storage.
Eliminate Unnecessary Possessions
Moving provides homeowners with an ideal opportunity to eliminate the things they no longer need or truly want. That is why it is important to take advantage of the moment and get rid of objects that don't need to be moved to a new location. By clearing clutter, you will find your mind feels less "cluttered", as well.
While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to getting rid of unneeded possessions, a good rule of thumb is to discard any objects that haven't been used in more than a year. Of course, that doesn't mean you should throw out cherished items, but always carefully consider if you can reduce your list of sentimental possessions when it comes time to pack up and move.
Contact moving companies in your area for additional advice.