Tips For Stress Free Moving

According to Express, 61% of people believe moving homes is at the top of their list for stressful events. They place moving above relationship breakdowns, divorce, or even finding and keeping a new job. There are professionals who are available to help ease the moving process, but a person must still pack and organize their possessions. Personally, those are two very difficult and potentially aggravating tasks.

Ross Sapir, founder and CEO of Roadway Moving, created a list of the do’s and do not’s of moving.

Do’s and Don’ts of Moving:

• DO all of the packing and labeling before moving day
  • You’d be surprised how many people get stuck in the last minute rush to pack everything and move it all in one day. Make sure everything but a change of clothes is packed and ready to go.

• DON’T forget to color code your boxes for each room
  • Most people know to label their moving boxes but unpacking is much easier for you and your movers if your boxes are color coded according to room.

• DO find free boxes at the grocery stores and online
  • You can save tons of money on packing materials if you take advantage of the free packing materials at grocery stores or check online for free boxes. Craigslist’s free section is a great place to start.
• DON’T forget to hire a babysitter or a pet sitter
  • If your children are old enough they can be helpful throughout the process but if not, it’s better to have them secure and out of the way while you’re packing up and moving. The same goes for your pets, they tend to get underfoot of movers.
• DO use packing materials you already have
  • Suitcases are perfect for transporting items, especially things that are heavy or awkwardly shaped.
• DON’T forget to pack an overnight bag to use on the first night
  • After a long day of moving, you’re not likely to want to go through all of your boxes just yet. Pack an overnight bag with the essentials such as toiletries, a few outfits, and pajamas for use on the first night.
• DO keep important documents with you
  • It’s best to travel with your most important items in hand. Keep a file of important documents with you while you move so that they are less likely to get lost in the shuffle.
• DON’T place small objects directly in boxes
  • Keep sandwich bags handy for little pieces of electronics and label the bags specifically. These tiny pieces tend to get lost in the shuffle and can make life difficult when putting everything back together.
• DO give specific tasks to any friends helping
  • Make sure you plan out their specific jobs before they come over, this way they will be able to help out in the most efficient way possible.
• DON’T forget to create a floor plan before you move
  • Try to plan out where each item, especially the big ones, will go and how everything will look. This will make it easier to put things in the right place immediately upon arrival.

A rational adult longing for stress free moving can seem like a child longing for a ride on a unicorn. However, minimizing stress before, during, and after moving day is possible. Other little tips people interviewed by Express gave were to prepare a lunch or breakfast before moving day and to keep a chilled bottle of wine or beer in the fridge. Food is essential to having the energy to deal with stressful situations. Man does not live on coffee and high hopes alone, people.

Personally, I know you can never have enough permanent markers on hand. Over marking your boxes is much better than forgetting to label where a particular part belongs.

Also, if it will be a long trip, remember to bring relaxing things to do on the ride such as reading materials, knitting, handheld gaming devices, audio books, or music.

Having things in reach with which you associate emotional attachment and good memories, can help sooth the emotional stress of leaving behind an old safe place and home.

Never forget home is actually where the heart is, and moving homes only requires bringing your heart with you.

Good luck!