Moving house is one of the most stressful life experiences, right? Wrong! Okay, so it can be and for most people, it often is a hugely stressful experience, but it won’t be that way for you, not if you do the following to plan for a relaxing moving experience…
- Embrace the Power of a Countdown
One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until the last minute to tackle the inevitable mountain of tasks. Instead, set yourself a countdown—anywhere from a few weeks to a month before the big day. Jot down a mini “to-do” list for each day, from sorting out old clothes to confirming your moving truck. This not only breaks the colossal job into bite-sized chunks, but it also helps you avoid the dreaded night-before panic attack. Think of it like an advent calendar for grown-ups, except the prize at the end is your brand-new home.
- Sort, Donate, Ditch
If you’re aiming for a relaxing move, the last thing you want is to lug unnecessary junk into your new place. Make it a rule that anything you haven’t used (or even looked at) in a year gets put into one of two piles: donate or ditch. From outdated tech gadgets to those jeans you swore you’d fit into again someday, it’s time to cut the clutter. Fewer boxes mean fewer headaches—and fewer suspicious lumps at the bottom of your moving truck.
- Create a “Moving Day Survival Kit”
Picture this: You arrive at your new home, you’re desperate for a cup of coffee, and you can’t remember which box holds the kettle, the mugs, or the coffee itself. Cue existential despair. Avoid this mini-crisis by packing a “survival kit” in a suitcase or plastic bin you’ll keep within arm’s reach. Fill it with immediate essentials—think a couple of days’ worth of clothes, toiletries, a phone charger, and yes, that coffee stash. Trust me, your future self will applaud your foresight.
- Recruit Your Dream Team (Friends, Family, or Professionals)
You don’t have to tackle the big day alone. Rope in your most reliable buddies—preferably those who don’t mind a bit of physical labor—or consider hiring loading and unloading movers to handle the literal heavy lifting. Sure, you might have to bribe friends with pizza or politely wave goodbye to a chunk of your budget for pros, but the result is a calmer you. Bonus: If professionals are involved, you can sip iced tea (in theory) while they maneuver your couch through narrow doorways.
- Celebrate Small Victories Along the Way
Got the utilities switched over without accidentally cutting off your new water supply? High-five! Managed to keep the houseplants alive throughout the move? Break out the confetti! Whether it’s booking the movers early or successfully labeling boxes like an organizational wizard, small wins deserve a moment of triumph. Recognizing these little successes keeps spirits high and stress levels low.
- Give Yourself (and Your New Space) a Gentle Start
Once you’re in, resist the urge to unpack everything in one frenzied session. Instead, tackle one room at a time. Set up your bedroom first so you can crash without rummaging for pillows in the early hours. Then, work your way through the rest at a leisurely pace. After all, the point is to enjoy your new digs, not turn it into a 24/7 unboxing marathon.
And relax!