Reduce the stress of a big move with preparation and a plan
While you need to be prepared for anything during a move, there is almost always one thing you can count on: stress. There are so many variables to take into consideration such as kids, pets, moving costs, utility transfers or cancelations, and packing, that stress is a nearly constant factor during this time.
If you plan ahead, however, and pay attention to a few key details, you can vastly reduce your stressors, and while you may not be able to go so far as to call it a pleasant experience, you can certainly make your move far less taxing.
Here is a short list of things you can do to make your move smoother and keep your stress level to a minimum.
Plan ahead
There is nothing on this list that will help you out more than to create a solid plan ahead of time and to stick to it as much as possible. With ample room on the calendar, begin to look at your move from start to finish, and work to remember all the small details you’ll come across as it happens.
If you give yourself plenty of time before moving day, you’ll have ample opportunity to jot down items that you may have forgotten about during the first brainstorming session.
Make a list, and check it at least twice
Once you’ve got your move planned out, create to do lists for yourself and family members, and break them down into specifics to make items even easier to accomplish. Buy yourself a notebook, and, with your plan in hand, make your lists for tasks such as bills that need to be paid or transferred over, materials that need to be acquired, or packing lists by room. It will be much easier to tackle if broken down into small, bite sized pieces.
Organize beforehand
One of the first items on your new list should be a good organizational and de-cluttering sweep of your home. Rid yourself of anything you just don’t need to take with you by either trashing or donating items. If you have enough time before your move, you may even wish to hold a garage sale, or try to offload some of the bigger items on sites like Craigslist.
Hire a moving company
If you find that you have run short on time, or could just really use the help and expertise, look into local moving companies. After you consider the time and cost to you to do everything on your own, moving companies can actually be economical, and will take much of the weight off your shoulders.
Create survival kits
Each member of the family (even Fido!) should have their own “moving survival kit,” and you should have a general family kit as well.
In each individual’s bag, pack at least a week’s worth of clean clothes and toiletries, plus (and this is especially important when moving with little ones) favorite snacks, entertainment or toys, and comfort items. For kids this could mean cookies and their teddy bear, and for adults it could be some bubble bath and a fluffy robe to change into after a long day moving.
Your family survival kit should contain important paper documents in waterproof bags (think birth certificates, insurance documents, licenses, medical records, and the like), a small toolkit, tape, and any very special items that you want to keep with you rather than pack to travel in a truck.
Ask for help
So often, people are afraid to ask others for help, but that’s what family and friends are for! With the promise of pizza and some good music, moving day can become much less stressful and more opportunity to spend time together- believe it or not, moving can even be fun!
Bid your old life farewell
When caught up in the jumble of everything that goes along with a move, it’s easy to just hop in the car and drive out of your old life without so much as a backward glance. This can cause emotional duress, especially for children.
In the weeks that lead to your move, take time to visit favorite spots for a final time, and host a get together to say goodbye to your friends and loved ones if you are going far. It will help the transition into your new life to be much smoother.
Pamper Yourself
Look ahead, and book in advance, a spa day or even just a 60-minute massage to help you wind down about a week after you arrive in your new home. Budget won’t allow for it? Even a manicure and pedicure (you know there will likely be a place on every other corner and walk-ins are often welcome) can be incredibly relaxing and a great way to pamper yourself just a little bit, forcing you to sit still and just be taken care of for at least an hour.
If you’re not into the whole spa concept of self-indulgence, consider a night out and treat yourself to dinner and a movie; anything that will allow you to get out of yourself and let go of some of the tension from the previous weeks will work wonders on your mind, body and soul.
Whatever you do, take some time for you. Long hot baths, leisurely walks in your new neighborhood, a glass of wine in front of the fire, a good book, or an afternoon nap; anything will do so long as you take care of you.
Need more money-saving tips? Read our article about the 5 worst moving mistakes and how to avoid them.
Einat Mazafi is the owner of NY Moving, a local and long-distance moving company based in New York. She is also a specialist in providing the best relocation solutions to clients worldwide.