Most of the time, moving isn’t fun. Even if you enjoy moving, or are moving for a good reason, there are parts of it that are stressful, anxiety-inducing, and downright not fun.
And when you hate moving, it can be even worse.
But there are things you can do to help make your moving experience a little less miserable. Yes, there’s the obvious: hire movers. But even if you can afford that and want to do it, that still won’t take away all the stress.
So here are some other tips to make moving less miserable.
Keep Things Organized
If you keep your current place clean, it will save you a lot of trouble. It will make it easier to fully clean once you’re moved out, which if you’re renting, makes it more likely you get your deposit back.
Having a clean home while you’re packing also decreases the chance that you drag dirt into your new place. You don’t want to have to clean everything right after moving in!
By keeping everything in the right room or place in which they belong. It will make it a lot easier to pack things up or declutter when it’s time to move. Searching for that missing dumbbell or skateboard would be good to do before you move. That way you’ll reduce having surprises, causing moving to be more hectic and stressful.
Some coupon sites can help you find cleaners for a deep clean before it’s time to move. That way you can just concentrate on packing when its time.
Practice Some Self Care
This is a little unique to most moving tips, but we think it’s the most important one. By treating yourself before a stressful situation, it can help you be at ease. Plan a massage, trip with friends or a hiking trip before your big move. Get your body the best nutrition possible by feeding yourself some healthy meals. By taking care of your emotional and physical needs, you’ll be surprised how much easier tackling life’s harder hurdles can be.
If you’re on a budget, make its simple. Plan a relaxing bath or find a place to relax, wherever that may be.
Plan Utilities in Advance
It is crucial that you plan the shut-off and start-up of your utilities at least a few weeks early. This will save you frantic calls to the water company, and probably save you money. All in all, it will make your transition easier.
If you’re moving to a new area, call ahead and research utility companies to get a head start. Having simple utilities set up, like WIFI can make moving a lot smoother for your whole household. You may not have much when you move in, but at least you can play music or plug in your tv to entertain yourself.
Start Packing Early
Waiting until the last minute to pack is a surefire way to make your move less stressful. Not only does it mean you’re rushing, but it will make it harder to unpack, since everything won’t be well organized. The sooner you get packing, the less you’ll have to rush and the more stress-free it can be.
And organization is where tip number four comes in: make sure to label or color-code all of your boxes, and know where they go. That way, when you’re moving, you can take boxes directly to the room they belong in. This will make it easier to unpack, and make it less likely that you procrastinate unpacking some things forever.
Prepare and Write a Plan
There are definitely less stressful times of the year to move. Get a planner or a journal to help you write out your moving plan. Getting your ideas on paper can help you organize your thoughts and get clarity on your overall plan. Yes, sometimes things don’t always go as planned but that doesn’t mean you can’t think ahead to help give you peace of mind.
Sell Stuff You Don’t Need
There’s no better time to get rid of unnecessary and unwanted possessions than when you’re moving. This will decrease the amount of clutter in your new home, and the amount of packing you have to do. And why not make a little extra cash out of it?
You can sell your items on Ebay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or other online venues. Or you could hold a classic yard sale. Or, if you don’t want to sell your stuff, there are many places like Goodwill that will accept used goods as charitable donations.
Honestly, You’re not alone….
No matter what you do, when you hate moving, it probably won’t be a fun experience. But there are some things you can do to make moving less miserable, so you can have a less stressful time getting to your new home and enjoying your life there.
If it makes you feel any better, you’re not alone, most people DON’T enjoy moving!