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Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, moving out of your parents’ house, or moving in with a significant other, it’s exciting to start a new chapter in your life! But, moving isn’t always easy. Between packing boxes, loading up cars and trucks to haul your belongings, and making sure it all runs smoothly, it can be stressful at times.
Whether or not moving is a fun experience largely depends on your mindset going into it. If you make a conscious effort to have a peaceful, stress-free experience, you’re more likely to do just that.
So, what can you do to relieve stress and minimize chaos you finally make your move? Let’s go over some tips for a more manageable moving day.
Plan Ahead Properly
If you really want your move to go smoothly, the best thing you can do is to plan ahead as much as possible. If you’re selling your old home, start planning there. Make improvements and upgrades to your house to help it stand out on the market. Set the stage to help it sell by decorating it properly. Minimalist design, for example, is popular right now, and can draw the attention of potential buyers.
Your moving checklist should be something you create months in advance of the big day, too. For starters, it can help you with packing — starting with throwing out anything you don’t need or want. This especially will make the packing process move faster since you’re creating less work for yourself, and you won’t have to bring extra belongings with you. Your checklist should also include a packing strategy and timeline, and a reminder to label all of your boxes clearly so you’ll know which ones to unpack first when you get to your new place.
When you get closer to the moving date, you’ll likely need to plan to take a day or two off of work to get everything done without distraction, so notify your boss ahead of time. You should also disconnect your utilities and connect them at the new home, so you won’t have to wait for them to be hooked up after you’ve arrived.
Everything from changing school records for your children and having your appliances moved to cleaning your house one last time before you leave should also be on your list. The more you’re able to check off with confidence (especially before the day of heavy-lifting!), the less stressful the experience will be.
To Rent a Truck or Hire a Moving Company?
One thing you’ll need to decide when you move is whether you want to do it all yourself or hire a company to help you. If you want to make the move on your own, you’ll likely need to consider renting a moving truck to haul your belongings. This is usually a pretty easy process and can often be done online. However, there are a few tips to keep in mind if you go that route in order to keep yourself safe and to make the experience less stressful:
- Find a reliable truck rental company and read all online reviews.
- Try to rent during the offseason for a better price.
- Read all of the paperwork before signing.
- Check the condition of the truck when you get it and take photos of any pre-existing damage.
One might think that the least stressful way to move is to hire a moving company to do almost everything for you. In many cases, that’s true. A moving company can load your boxes (some will even pack for you!), drive them to your new location, and unload them. They also often help to haul in furniture.
But, again, it’s essential to choose a company with a strong reputation and one with solid reviews. If you go with a company that isn’t reliable, you might risk your belongings getting damaged, or you might get sucked into hidden fees you didn’t see in the paperwork before you signed.
Both of these options have to do with individual preference, but they both require you to be diligent and to pay attention to what you’re agreeing to.
Surround Yourself with Stress Relievers
It’s the little things that often make the biggest difference. You can make the moving day experience easier on yourself by focusing on the things that help you to feel calm and relaxed.
For example, blast your favorite music while working on the most stressful parts of the process. Music is known to have positive therapeutic effects, from helping recovering addicts to cheering up anyone just needing a stress-release, and upbeat tunes with a good rhythm can help to keep you motivated throughout the day. Finding the right song can make you feel great, even when things are chaotic. Take a dance break, enjoy the music, and keep going!
Pets are huge stress relievers as well, and if you have a dog or cat you’re taking with you on the move, having them close by can keep you calm and relaxed throughout the process. Studies have even shown that pets can reduce the amount of cortisol (stress hormone) your body produces, and can boost your mood.
But, it’s important to make sure your pet stays safe and relaxed during the move, too! You can either have a family member or friend help you to take care of your pet for a few days while you move, or you can take them with you on the journey, so they can stay in their typical routine and be around things/people they’re familiar with.
With a little bit of planning, research, and a positive attitude, your moving day doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Keep these ideas in mind for your next move, and you can ride on the excitement of starting the next chapter of your life!