Here are more pre-move tips to help you take control of your move!
If you are feeling some pre-move stress, you aren’t alone. Many people absolutely DREAD moving. Thankfully there are a number of professional sources that have advice on how to better manage stressful situations including move planning.
In this article we’ve pulled together some of the most popular tips that may help you have a calmer and more organized move day.
1. Get organized. Proper Planning Prevents… problems! There are many that will say no amount of planning can ever prevent all issues from coming up during a move however with a little planning you can be better prepared to manage unforeseen challenges. Not being prepared leads to frustration and stress…preparation helps you stay in control no matter how hectic things may get.
2. Make lists and keep them in a binder, notebook, or online file storage. Keeping your notes, receipts, Moving Day Checklist, etc. all together is the key thing here.
The more you pack or move things around from where they were, the more likely you are to misplace important things. The list of important things includes contact information for your move coordinator or a copy of your inventory list or even your original estimate. Consider using a free online file storage service like DropBox or Google Drive which can give you secure access to all your files from anywhere, on any device.
3. Label boxes with where they should go in your new home. It is more important for the movers to know where the boxes should go then where they were! Label each box clearly (in print) and please be neat!
If you have poor handwriting you can print labels from your computer. Avery is a well-known name in office supplies and has some tips which include how to use their free software to print your own moving labels. Color coding can be an additional useful step if you have many boxes to sort through for each room.
4. Enlist the help of your moving team as early as possible! And by moving team I don’t just mean your movers!
Whether you have booked a full-service move from Clancy or are renting one of our Go Mini Portable Storage units to do-it-yourself, you need to have a “team” of trusted friends and family to help you…packing, babysitting, pet sitting/dog-walker, cleaning services, etc. Figuring out WHO you need to help you where is just as important as HOW you are going to move. Be sure to call to arrange your chosen moving services at least 1 month before you plan to move especially during “busy” seasons like the summer months. Friends (go on trips like summer vacations, attend weddings…) and service providers may want to help you but not be able to unless you ask for help early enough.
5. Step by step, figure out what comes first and start there. It’s often waiting until last minute (procrastinating) that leads to stressful situations when moving. Don’t delay the most important tasks and you will be happier on moving day.
If a task is hard to start because it is not something you want to do (like separating items to keep, toss, donate or tag sale), just start it with 10 minutes. The first ten minutes are the hard part and you should be on a roll to get the task done. Worst case you spend 10 minutes doing it each day until you get the task completed.
6. Moving can be heart wrenching, sad, happy, exciting or everything in-between. It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you are moving, there are some emotions at work and not realizing them can do more harm than good. Each member of a family moving may feel differently so parents should talk to their children about how they feel.
Psychology Today magazine published a detailed article, “Moving is Tough for Kids” using research provided by The New York Times and it talks about making sure you keep them busy doing as many social activities as possible in the new neighborhood. Don’t forget to be social is a good tip for adults too when moving into a new town to help avoid post-move depression. Looking forward to joining a gym, golf club, or other social association in your new town can help you keep a positive outlook on your move.
7. Keep routines like mealtimes and bedtimes consistent. As people get ready to move they often have trouble sleeping and forget to eat properly. Additional warning signs and coping methods can help in cases of severe stress. There is often anxiety leading up to moving day that you can take steps to relieve by maintaining your regular schedules (including physical fitness programs) where possible. If you have children or pets, this is important for them too. Making sure you all eat regularly and get plenty of rest will help you have a better moving day.
8. BREATHE. Then say out loud, “I’ve got this!” You are getting organized and have resources to help you. Many people stress moving. Those have to move frequently learn to help avoid stress through planning…you can too!
If you have at least a month before your move date and already contacted our experienced team for your free moving estimate then you are even further on your way to a stress-free move!
