If you’ve moved at least once, then you’re probably all too familiar with the waves of emotion that come along with the process. Initially, you’ve probably felt a lot of excitement about moving to a new place, having a fresh new living space, and getting the chance to shop for new décor or furniture. Shortly after that excitement, however, you were probably met with a sense of overwhelm knowing the long list of tasks you had to do to make the move happen. Next, you might have felt anxiety trying to juggle your life and moving schedule, and finally exhaustion after spending tons of extra time working long days just handling logistics and physically packing and moving your belongings.
If you’re like most people, the thought of moving fills you with a sense of dread. The process is often long and arduous, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But don’t worry – we’re here to help! In this blog post, we will share seven tips that will make moving less stressful for you. Follow these tips, and you’ll be able to get through the move without any drama! Well, at least not as much!
1. Understand that some stress is normal during the moving process
Moving from a place you’ve called home for a while to go somewhere different is stressful, and that’s okay! There’s clearly a lot involved in moving to a new home that goes far beyond simply packing up your belongings into boxes and shuffling them to a new location. The worst thing you can do is beat yourself up for feeling stressed about your move. Realize and accept that it’s normal to feel a bit overwhelmed and stressed out. After all, you’re going to have to put in a lot of extra working hours beyond what you’re already doing in your normal day just to make it happen. You might lose a little sleep. You’ll have to adjust your schedule, beg for help from friends, and even think about your finances during your move so that it’s successful. It’s okay to feel that sense of overwhelm, but it’s what you do with it that matters. Do your best to minimize this sense of overwhelm by continuing to squeeze in exercise, plenty of sleep, relaxation time, and maybe even some yoga. Continuing good habits during your move will help you manage and minimize the stress of the moving process.
2. Give yourself plenty of time to move
If you’re moving out of an apartment, you probably only have 30 days to get everything done. If you’re moving into a new house, however, you might have a few months to plan and prepare for the big day. No matter how much time you have, make sure that you give yourself at least two months to plan your move if possible. This way, if anything comes up or takes longer than expected, you won’t be scrambling at the last minute and feeling even more stressed out! Be realistic about what you can accomplish by factoring in your budget, your schedule, and how much help you’ll have during the move. Leaving too much for the last minute is enough to generate frantic feelings as you come up close to your deadline.
3. Break up your move into small, achievable tasks
Procrastination is a real thing! Especially when it comes to major projects like moving. If you’re someone who finds large projects overwhelming, you might want to start by breaking down the project into small, easier-to-achieve tasks. You can create a checklist of smaller items that you can tackle each day so that you feel a sense of progress. Maybe it starts with decluttering the closets and then moves into packing up only a few boxes from a certain room per day. Breaking up the moving chores into bite-size pieces will help you make continued movement forward without feeling like you have to take it all on at once.
4. Stay as organized as possible
As you start packing up your belongings and getting ready for the move, it’s important to stay as organized as possible. This will help you avoid losing things, damaging items, and making multiple trips back and forth between your old place and your new one. Create a system for labeling boxes so that you know what’s inside of them, and make sure to pack essential items separately from everything else. You’ll want to have a bag or box of essentials that you can easily access once you’re settled into your new place. This might include items like toiletries, pajamas, a change of clothes, medications, etc. You’d be surprised how much easier these simple organizational tricks will make your move!
5. Use a portable self-storage unit
Part of what makes moving to a new place so stressful is that it often comes with tight time constraints. Unfortunately, a lot of people aren’t able to begin the moving process until around four weeks before moving, and then they are forced to rush due to schedule and budget restrictions. Using a portable self-storage unit is a great option for those looking to start packing early on. Portable self-storage units are great solutions because these secure, weather-proof containers can be delivered to your property on your schedule, allowing you to begin packing and loading your belongings long before moving day. Not only that, but once moving day arrives, your portable storage unit can be delivered right to your new front door for unloading! Talk about convenience! If you’re interested in using a portable self-storage unit for your move, reach out to Badger Box Storage to learn more!
6. Ask friends for help or hire professionals
Trying to move everything on your own is a recipe for disaster. Not only will it likely take you much longer to get everything done, but you also run the risk of injuring yourself in the process. If you have friends or family members who are willing and able to help, be sure to ask them! You can make a moving day party out of it by ordering pizza and providing beverages for everyone who helps. If you don’t have anyone who can help, consider hiring professional movers. Hiring professionals might cost a little bit more money upfront, but it will save you time, energy, and potentially even your back!
7. Get as much sleep as you can during the moving process
When you have a long list of things to get done, it’s easy to put sleep at the end of your priorities list. However, during times of high stress like moving, it’s more important than ever to get a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep can negatively impact your mood, cognitive function, and physical health. So, do your best to get at least seven hours of sleep each night leading up to and during your move. Your mind and body will thank you! If you’re having trouble falling asleep due to everything you have on your mind, try some of these expert-recommended suggestions for better sleep:
- Do 20 minutes of yoga or meditation before bed
- Avoid screen time 1 hour before bed
- Try reading a calming book
- Drink a calming tea such as chamomile
- Listen to some slow, gentle music
These are just a few tips to help make your move less stressful. At the end of the day, it’s important to try and stay positive and remember that this is just a temporary phase. Soon enough, you’ll be all settled into your new home sweet home! Once you’ve finally settled in, be sure to treat yourself to something you love as a reward for yourself for making it through! Good luck!
