Moving house is one of the most difficult and exciting things you can do in your adult life. But I’m about to provide some strategies for making moving house stress-free and fun.
I spent the first ten years of my life in our family home, but after that, I moved almost every year to a different place until I graduated from high school. Then it was moving every two years. I have to admit that I enjoyed packing, creating lists, moving, unpacking, and settling into a new house. Strange, I know! I wonder what Freud would have to say about that!
However, while moving is an extremely exciting time as you anticipate living in your new home, ensuring that you have completed everything required for a successful move can generate tension in even the most calm of people. My parents were clearly anxious about it.
Whether it’s scheduling a removal crew to assist on the day or remembering to get all of the documentation signed, you need to be as organized as possible in order to remain calm.
In our family, I have become the go-to person for writing lists and staying calm and moving on.
I created a checklist for my friend to make moving house stress-free and fun.
1. Plan everything in advance
One of the most effective ways to be calm during your move is to arrange everything ahead of time. That doesn’t guarantee that you won’t have any issues—but it does imply that when the big day arrives, you’ll know exactly what to do and when. Whether you’re planning where you’ll pick up the keys or when you’ll meet the movers, having everything written down and recorded will be really handy.
2. Pack everything before the move
Yes, this may sound basic, yet many people neglect to pack until the last few days before their relocation. Of course, you must manage your time effectively—but packing as soon as possible is critical if you want to remain calm. Whether you find time to pack little things on weekends leading up to your move or you spend two or three days straight packing, having everything in a box by the time your moving date arrives is critical. Everything takes longer than you think it will. Here is a guide on packing for a house move, with tips and tactics.
3. Prepare a backup plan just in case
Some people worry about the worst-case circumstances when they move house. If you’re one of them, here’s a tip. Make a list of all the difficulties you believe may develop. Once that is done, jot down all of the potential solutions to each problem. Although you may not need to utilize them during your move, you can rest easy knowing you have a backup plan in place to make moving house stress-free!
4. Have a Good Support System
Moving house is undoubtedly stressful, and it is critical to have a strong support network around you from the outset. Whether you’re looking at potential properties or moving into your new home, having people you know and trust by your side will make the process go more smoothly. For suggestions and tricks on developing a strong support network,
5. Triple-check everything
Even if it appears time-consuming, take the time to triple-check everything as you go. This will prevent or at least decrease errors. Allow yourself a day or two to get away from the issue before going over it again. From packing to reviewing all of your booking data, double-checking them is the best way to ensure you’re getting everything properly. This also ensures that you have not neglected anything.
6. Remember, it’ll all be worth it in the end
Remember that the time spent packing, moving, unpacking, and settling will be worthwhile. Even if you have some extremely difficult events, none of them will matter when you’re sitting in your new couch on your first night in your new house. This is not to say that you will not encounter problems, but maintaining that mindset will make them easier to handle. Whether you’re moving into your first family home or going through a HDB sales portal, that first night will be extremely meaningful.
Now for some pointers to help everything go smoothly!
Keeping cool is essential during your relocation. However, there are numerous things you may take to mitigate any concerns that may arise. Here are five strategies to make your move stress-free and seamless!
1. Hire A Removal Company
I can tell you from personal experience that employing a removal firm for all heavy lifting is advisable. During one relocation, I assumed I could handle the packing and lifting, but it was not easy. Only my ego kept me from whining. Of course, my guitar came with a broken fretboard. It’s not a great sensation.
Hiring specialists ensures that your belongings are properly packed and put into the van, as well as unloaded at your new home. This makes unpacking immensely more fun because you can put things away in their proper places.
2. Label all your boxes correctly
I can’t express this enough! When packing on your end, make sure to name all of the boxes with the appropriate room. This may take a little longer to pack, but believe me, it will save you a lot of difficulty when unpacking. When you’re surrounded by boxes at your new house, knowing what’s inside each one is quite helpful. We numbered each box and wrote it down in a diary. We still have it!
3. Unpack As Soon As You Arrive
You will most likely be fatigued, but it is best to begin unpacking as soon as possible so that you can become organized. If you’ve hired a moving company, you’ll look forward to unpacking. Fortunately, unpacking takes significantly less time than packing! Here’s a useful resource with tips and strategies for unpacking after a relocation.
4. Pack your essentials in a separate bag
This is likely the most crucial tip. If you’re too fatigued to start unpacking right away, it’s a good idea to pack basics in a separate bag so you have enough clothes, toiletries, food, and so on to last a few days. When we initially arrived in the city where we now live, we received some awful news and had to leave the following day. Fortunately, we had packed a couple of suitcases with everything we needed for a week, so we were able to manage well.
5. Find Alternative Accommodation for Your Children (and Pets)
Sometimes the transfer takes longer than expected. If you have young children and dogs, now is the time to let them attend the sleepover or stay with friends, if possible. They will also be concerned about the relocation, so keeping them out of the way while you complete all of the necessary tasks is generally preferable. When you start unpacking, they’ll be able to see how beautiful their new home is!
When we relocated, our neighbors insisted on taking care of our meals for two days while we packed up the kitchen. Children from home were welcomed to their friends’ homes. It was fantastic. We cried buckets when we departed.
Here’s a bonus tip! This approach involved everyone at home. It makes it even more exciting.
Have you recently moved house? What helped you stay on top of everything? Were you stress-free when you moved home? I’d love to hear any further tips!
