One cannot stay in the same place forever. People move from one place to another from time to time due to different reasons. Moving from one house to another within the same city or outside the state is something that many people have had to deal with. This is associated with the demands of the type of life we live in today. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau between 2013 and 2014, about 35.7 million persons changed residence within the United States. You can get more details of this here.
If it were possible for you to contact all those who have moved this year alone, it is highly probable that most of them will tell you that their move was stressful. Practically everyone agrees that moving either within the city or nationally can be really stressful.
But really, does it actually have to be as stressful as this? Here’s the truth, it really doesn’t have to be as stressful as many have found it to be. Most of the stress experienced during such moves can usually be traced back to a lack of proper planning and preparation.
What we are invariably saying is that with proper research, planning and preparation, a lot of the stress associated with moving can and will be eliminated. We can also avoid some of the errors enumerated here: https://www.mymove.com/moving/biggest-packing-mistakes/. Let’s look at a few quick ways of ensuring your move is stress-free.
Planning and Preparing for a Stress-Free Move
Before we even begin to list the steps that can help you enjoy a stress-free move, we need to first point out that the way you view a move is very critical. Once your mind classifies it as a stressful activity, it will be very difficult for the move not to be stressful. To get started, see the move as an exciting opportunity for a fresh start. With this mindset, you will be better prepared to have a stress-free move.
- Create a To-Do List and a Moving Checklist
Second to your mindset towards moving, the next most important thing to take care of is probably your to-do list and moving checklist. Some people have a to-do list separate from a moving checklist which includes all the different things that needs to be done as part of the move, before or after the move.
You can actually combine both so your moving checklist also doubles as your to-do list. Either way, it provides you with a clear picture of the tasks that you need to do. With a checklist, you can follow a clear path to achieving a stress-free move.
For an example of what a moving checklist looks like and how you can create yours, check this article.
- Have a Strategy
Something as simple as having a clear strategy for packing your stuff can make your life a lot easier. Here’s an example of a strategy – packing your stuff room by room. If this is a strategy you choose to work with, you will focus on completing the packing of the stuff in a room before moving to another room. This way, your task will be clearly defined, making it easier for you to get more done faster.
- Begin Early
One of the biggest causes of stress is leaving everything to the last minute. By the time you leave the packing to the last minute, you will be stressed, running from room to room to get everything packed. Aside from the fact that you will get stressed, you are also likely to pack things wrongly which will result in things getting mixed up or even lost in transit. Start packing your stuff very early. As you begin to organize and pack things early, it will be free of stress and your packing will be very organized.
- Use Same Size Boxes
As much as you can, use boxes of the same size for most of your stuff. This helps you make the most of the space either in the moving van or storage facility. This can also result in some cost savings for you. To get more information on moving boxes, read here.
- Label Everything
Packaging labels are very critical as it not only helps you pack more efficiently, but it also helps you locate things faster in your new space. Many folks have lost items while packing. Labeling your boxes ensures you know exactly where each item is located.
- De-clutter
Moving time presents a fantastic opportunity to de-clutter and free your new space of unnecessary load. One of the most common things most folks experience while packing is coming across some stuff they had totally forgotten about. They had no idea it was there and they did not miss it. Common sense dictates that such item is not important. Sadly, a lot of folks still pack these items to the next space. Give stuff you don’t need out. If you are averse to giving things out, organize a yard sale and let those stuff go. You will be the better for it.
- Move Things to the Right Space in the New Space
This may not seem like much but when you look at it carefully you will find that it adds to your stress level. Here’s what we mean. You properly label your stuff, packed room by room. You get to your new location and the movers simply drop all the boxes in the living room. You then have to move each item into their right space based on the labels on them. The smart thing to do to reduce your work load is to have the movers drop each box in the right room based on your labeling. All you will then need to do is unpack them right there in the respective rooms.
- Find the Right Moving Company
This step clearly should be somewhere at the top of this list. We have however kept it for last so its importance can be impressed on us. The moving company you work with will to a large extent determine how your moving experience will be. Finding and working with the right moving company is something you cannot afford to joke with. Many folks do not know how to go about this. Thankfully, there are companies like https://9kilo.com/ that can help.
Through them, you can find trusted companies for all kinds of moving needs. If you carefully follow the steps listed above and also work with a reputable and trustworthy moving company, you will find that your move will be more enjoyable than stressful.
