If you've moved home a few times, you'll know there is a familiar pattern in the process; you're excited in the initial days as you gather your packing supplies and moving boxes as you psych yourself up for what is coming...
You'll then get started with the work but you realize something you thought was going to take ten minutes takes thirty, and what you thought was going to take an hour takes four!
When you are done with all the packing and any odd jobs that need doing before the move, there might be a bit of time to sit back and relax. But as soon as you get to your new home, you realize that it all starts again because they'll be numerous boxes to unpack (many of which end up in the wrong room) and most likely cleaning to be done too. There may also other things needing your attention like children, jobs, and pets. Things are not going to be perfect during the move, and there are times when you need more time to deal with issues that come up.
Here are some tips to help your move a little less stressful...
Accepting that stress is part of the process
The first step to overcoming moving stress is accepting it. If you accept the fact that you are going to deal with stress as you move, then it is less likely you are going to be set back when it happens. Think of those times you have accepted other things in your life that come with stress and you just have to work through them, like busy times at work, or challenging periods of parenting. When it happens, acknowledge the feeling but don't let it deter you from the tasks at hand. Remind yourself that you've got through difficult times before and you can do it again. Do as much as you can to incorporate self-care into your routine to help you better manage difficult emotions.
Hiring professional movers
If you have some room in your budget, there is nothing that will help you deal with the stress of moving more than hiring someone experienced. Professional removal companies are going to help you avoid stress. They will do most of the heavy lifting on the day of your move. They can pack up and wrap up things safely for transport which is even more important when it comes to hard-to-pack and delicate items like lamps and art. You won’t have to do quite so much of the physical work on your end, which will help reduce the stress that comes with moving, as well as giving you one less thing to worry about. When hiring a moving company, make sure you choose one that has a proven reputation for trustworthy and reliable services. Don’t make the mistake of choosing just any moving company because you can end up regretting it and dealing with more stress. Take your time to research the company and find reviews to see what past clients think about them. Word of mouth is always a preferred option.
Giving yourself enough time
Time is the leading source of stress when moving. You will find yourself with less time than you thought. Whilst it might not be possible to have a stress-free move, you can make things easier for yourself by allocating more time to your move. You are going to need about two full days if you want to pack up a studio or one-bedroom apartment. A two-bedroom home is going to take 3-4 days and a three-bedroom house takes 5-6 days. Many people prefer to start early by allocating a few hours every weekend in the run up to the move, and it makes sense to start as early as possible, packing items you know you won't need access to in the short-term. You should allocate some time to other steps too, like choosing your moving company, van hire, writing out new home cards, cleaning the home you are leaving, and setting up utilities for your new home. If you leave things to the last minute, you are going to feel frantic and stressed - proper planning makes for a less stressful move.
Starting small
There is a saying that says if you want to move a mountain, you need to start by carrying small stones. Begin with the little things first and you will realize things add up to big things. If moving stress is paralyzing you or you don’t know how to get started, just find something small that you can start with, whether it is putting your books in a box or packing up a single kitchen drawer. When you make progress, whether a little or a lot, can really help in managing stress. Your focus is going to be more on getting things done one by one.
Another good way to get started is to just think "Today, I'm going to spend 30 minutes on packing" - you then set a timer and work without distraction on a small task. Timing your work can be another really effective way of getting things done, without the usual overwhelm.
Staying organized
Organization is key if you want the moving process less stressful. This applies to all aspects of your move, from labelling boxes and sorting them to make it easier to unpack to keeping the important documents with you – things like the new lease, contract with your movers, etc. – or storing them in one place you can easily locate. If you make organization part and parcel of the process from the start, you will deal with fewer headaches down the line. Purchase a special folder in which you can keep everything move-related in one place.
Asking for help
Asking for support when you need it is important. If moving is making you feel stressed, why not ask family or friends to help you? Most people would be more than willing to lend a hand, especially if there's a promise of takeout and beer at the end of the day! There are times when you just need someone to give you some company as you pack or unpack. Having someone with you can help reduce the stress of moving because they provide a distraction from the work. If possible, consider planning ahead and asking for help at least a week before the day to give the other person plenty of notice to accommodate. Make sure you show gratitude for the help you get and agree to return the favour in the future.
This is why most people get stressed when they realize they have to move
This is not meant to paint a doom and gloom picture about moving – it isn’t that bad and everything works in the end. There is stress that comes with moving but the best you can do is prepare yourself and know what to expect. Hopefully these tips will help you to reduce stress.
Getting some sleep
Finally, a last bonus tip is to ensure you're getting enough sleep. When you have a lot of things that need to be done, you can easily end up going well into the night and even the early hours just to get things done. This is not a good idea because not getting enough rest will leave you feeling overcome by stress. Moving takes a lot of you both mentally and physically. You will be running empty quickly if you don’t get enough sleep. Sleep gives you the chance of recharging at night. When you prioritise sleep, you'll feel less stressed and more efficient.
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