Relocations are always complex and demanding. They take a toll on us in every possible way. We get tired and work our way through with quite the tension. But is stress-free moving even possible? Many tips can help you keep the levels of anxiety and tension to a minimum.
Many studies have shown that Americans consider relocating among the most stressful events in their life. But since we tend to move a lot, up to 12 times during a lifetime, many of us have managed to gather some tips and tricks to help us be on top of the relocation game. From the obvious steps like hiring movers and investing in enclosed auto transport to ship your vehicle fully protected to some awesome advice on how to keep calm, there are ways to look at relocating with different eyes.
Perhaps your move was bound to happen – your lease was up, or you’ve seized a perfect opportunity for a different workplace. Or you are one of those people that got itchy feet and decided where to live based on your preferences. No matter what has driven you to move, the tension keeps building up as the move-out day approaches. Believe it or not, low levels of pressure can be beneficial, as it may help you stay focused on each step and stay in control. But, you may wonder, “How do I stop being overwhelmed when I move?” In whole honesty, it does take a lot of hard work and extreme organization to have a stress-free move. But some tips and tricks will help you achieve it in an instant.
Yes, you can move to a new home you’ve always dreamed of without losing your mind first. To follow up on every step you need to take in the process, one of the best stress-free moving tips is making a checklist. List all the important tasks ahead of you, and write them down with a general timeline. You may also want to start on schedule and avoid one of the biggest relocating mistakes of packing in a hurry. Doing everything at the last minute will only make the anxiety go through the roof.
Money is one of the key stressors of every move because relocations are expensive. However, if we make a plan for our relocating budget and stick to it, we can avoid some of that unnecessary tension. Contact an auto transport company and find out how much it costs to ship a car, and get at least a rough estimate from your movers. Add some unexpected expenses on top of it, and you’ll be all set.
The checklist is all set up, and the next tip is to buy a binder and designate it for all things related to the move. Organize important documents at home, such as contracts, receipts, permits, but also your checklist and budget. This way, you’ll have anything you might need close at hand and won’t start panicking when you can’t find important papers.
What will help you move efficiently, punctually, and stressless the most? It’s the decision to find a good, reliable relocating and car shipping company. Search thoroughly, read reviews and ask friends and family for recommendations to avoid any relocating scams. When you narrow down your search, contact them to get an estimate. The movers will offer you a helping hand and back you up every step of the way, and you can choose between the different services they offer.
In order to remain calm before and after the move, you should transfer utilities on time. This is an important step because if you enter your future residence just to realize you have no electricity or water will make you start panicking. That’s why you should call the utility companies about four weeks before you move out and set the disconnection and connection dates. Do the same with your cable, internet, and phone providers.
Although forgetting to change your address before you move isn’t the end of the world, you might feel like it when you arrive at your new residence, miles and miles away from the previous one, and realize you have to deal with all the complications caused by it. Here’s who to notify when relocating:
If you do this on time, you’ll save the new owners in your previous home from finding ways how to stop getting mail for previous residents. And, of course, it’s crucial that you inform your friends and family you are leaving so that you can say goodbye to them.
One of the best moving hacks and tips that will ease up the whole process is to declutter your home. This will be beneficial both to your budget as well as to your nerves because the less stuff you have to transport, the less it will cost, and thus you’ll be less likely to be under tension. Sort all the unwanted items into three piles. One should be for things you plan to throw away, the other for still usable items that you can donate, and the third should consist of things you can sell.
As crucial as choosing between the door-to-door auto transport and terminal-to-terminal car shipping for your four-wheeler, it’s more than essential to obtain suitable packing materials before you dig into your belongings and start packaging. You’ll need plenty of sturdy quality boxes for your heavier stuff, and you can visit your local retailer to get some boxes on the house. Packaging paper shall do the trick when it comes to cushioning space left in the boxes, but you can also get some foam peanuts or use your household softies for this job. Get some sturdy tape to secure each box from opening, and also acquire bubble wrap for your fragile items. One of the best packing tips is to put heavier stuff such as books in suitcases.
One of the things people forget to do when they move is to pack a bag or a box full of essential items that they will need to survive the first couple of days in their new home. It’s one of the crucial tips on how to make moving easier and less stressful. Pack basic toiletries such as toilet paper, tissues, wet wipes, add a few towels and shampoo. Go to the kitchen and take a few objects you may need to prepare a quick meal and some coffee. A change of clothes for each member of your family and beddings are also necessary. Chargers, some toys for the kids, and basics for your pet, if you have one, should all find their way into this box.
Some more relocating tips are needed to be swift and efficient and thus lower the stressors to a minimum. You can start packaging in several ways, by room or by category, whichever way you find more suitable. For example, you can start with less used items, such as seasonal clothes and shoes, but also stuff like Christmas decorations, artwork, and other decorative objects you have in your home.
The crucial part to avoid tension when you unpack is to label each box properly. If you have more time, you can do this even more thoroughly by writing down the contents of each box or by taking a photo before you close the lids. The stress-free moves and packing processes are even more achievable if you use the color-coding system to label the packages. Designate a color to a room, and label each box accordingly. One of the things to do after relocating will be to designate these colors to doors in your future place. This way, the movers will know precisely where the boxes go, and you won’t be stressing about the clutter.
With all the work you have to put into relocating to a new state, it’s just natural to feel the pressure building up. How can I calm my anxiety when moving? – you probably wonder. One of the tricks is to stay on track with everyday routines. Get enough sleep, eat healthily, and avoid alcohol, sugar, and cigarettes. Set aside enough time to spend with your loved ones, and continue with your regular stuff, such as walks in the park with your pet and go to yoga class. It will all keep your mind off things, and together with good organization, it will guarantee you as little tension as possible.
A move can be overwhelming for some people, especially when relocating to another state alone. If you start feeling some severe effects on your physical and mental health, go and see a doctor. Although relocations are stressful, if you have trouble sleeping, feel chest pain, or headaches, you’re getting depressed, it’s a warning sign that you should slow down and find a helping hand. It’s a good decision if you reach out to your loved ones and talk about it. They can calm you down and steer you in the right direction again.
Relocations are not only about packing and going away, or contacting movers, and investing in open trailer car shipping. After all, because of all the tension and anxiety, we forget that relocating opens up new possibilities, from making friends in a new city to different work opportunities. And sometimes a change of scenery is more than welcome, and if we manage to see it that way, we can enjoy the fresh start given to us. And good organization is always the key to success.
