10 Steps to a Relaxed Move
10 Steps to a Relaxed Move
Any task can be stressful. Some tasks, usually the bigger ones, tend to be spoken of in the same breath as stress. Weddings are on that list, and so are exams. Moving house is right up there on the list of life’s most stressful events. The good news is that like weddings and exams, moving house can be turned into a calm science. We’ve put together a list of steps you can take to stay on top of your relocation, and to make stress-free moving a reality for you.
Step 1: Give Yourself the Gift of Time
The first step you can take to stop the moving experience from overwhelming you is to give yourself time. Being able to take your time with the preparations and create a comprehensive plan with ample time for each task will help to keep you calm and in control.
There are plenty of tasks you can get a start on weeks or even months before the first box is packed up. You can stock up on moving materials and equipment, you can start to purge your home of unwanted possessions, or you can begin to familiarise yourself with your new area.
Beginning preparations as early as possible will help make sure you don’t overexert yourself trying to fit too many jobs into a short space of time. A rushed move is a stressful move, so it’s better to pace yourself rather than leaving it all to the last minute.
Step 2: Lock Down Your Budget
Once you’ve made a list of all the ‘to dos’ to complete your move, chances are that you’ll find that it’s a long list. It’s at this point that you’ll really start to wonder how much all of it is going to cost.
Set yourself a budget and try to stick to it. If you’ve followed step 1 and you have time to organise your move, you’ll be able to decide what your priorities are, shop around, and find good prices so that you are in control of your outgoing costs.
Step 3: Be Flexible
You know what they say about the best laid plans, so when you’re moving house which involves so many tasks and sub tasks, it’s not surprising that things can go off-script. To stop panic setting in when things don’t go according to plan, stay flexible and expect that some changes will happen.
Again, if you’ve followed step 1 and have started the process nice and early, you’ll be able to absorb changes and reassess plans if necessary. You could even develop a plan B for your list of tasks, in case you’re unable to do the tasks you’d initially intended.
Step 4: Put Together A Document Box
When you move house, it seems like your possessions triple once they’re out of their usual storage locations. It’s very easy to lose track of important documents, so it’s worthwhile placing these documents, such as passports, will and insurance papers in one box or folder. You can then place this somewhere easy to remember where you won’t lose it.
For extra security, you may also want to make electronic copies of these documents to save onto a computer or cloud storage.
Step 5: Follow A Moving Checklist
It’s absolutely crucial to find a way to organise the long list of moving tasks. A detailed list will reduce your stress, give you control over the process, and will keep you steadily progressing through your ‘to dos’.
Have a look at our comprehensive moving check list, set out with a handy timeframe to keep you on track.
Step 6: Visit Your New Neighbourhood
Your anxiety about your house move could go beyond the physical process of moving, and may involve the uncertainty related to leaving behind your familiar surroundings. This is only natural, and the best way to find calm is to start to build your knowledge of your new ‘hood.
If there’s a large distance involved, do some online research, explore using Google maps, and find out about local landmarks, shops, parks, and any other places you’ll most likely frequent.
If you’re able to, visit your new neighbourhood. Go for walks, find your local park or café, and start to put down roots, even before you’ve moved in. This will help ease your anxiety as the foreign becomes familiar.
Step 7: Pack a moving day survival kit
Moving day is a big day, both physically and emotionally. Preparing a kit of essentials that will be welcome throughout the day will help look after you. This kit should contain items for you and your family, such as:
Toiletries
Phone chargers
Bottles of water
Snacks
Hot drinks (or supplies to make them)
Toys or activities for younger children that don’t require a lot of activity
Cash or cards
Keep your kit where you can easily reach it so you can keep yourself and your moving team as comfortable as possible on moving day.
Step 8: Hire a professional removal company
Moving day can be a great bonding experience with the people you’re sharing the house with, or with the friends and family who are helping you move. It is worth considering, however, how much work you’ll save yourself by hiring a removal company.
A good removal service will coordinate the move, supply the boxes, supply and drive the removal trucks, and provide you with courteous and professional service. Some companies can even do the packing and unpacking for you, so you hardly need to lift a finger.
Experienced movers will also save you the physical strain of moving the entire contents of your home, so you can avoid the stress involved with physically completing this big task.
Step 9: Keep Some Familiar Scents
Hear us out with this one. It’s amazing how much of the familiarity we feel for a place has to do with the smells. You may have some obvious scents you can take with you like candles or a perfume, or day-to-day scents like the products you use to wash your laundry or a favourite food you can place in the kitchen to give your new place that ‘homey’ smell.
Step 10: Treat yourself
Throughout your relocation, keep in mind that you’re going to need some incentives to keep you going. Eating takeaway and working for 18 hours a day will not do you any favours if you’re going to make it to the finish line in good shape.
Organise some good, healthy meals that you can have during the move to give you good energy. Make sure you get sufficient rest, as your mind and body will need it at this time. Ask friends to come by with a meal at the end of the day, you’ll appreciate the company – and the food!
Once all the moving is done, don’t put pressure on yourself to unpack everything straight away. Give yourself some recovery time and then tackle the unpacking refreshed.
Stress-Free Moving Days are a Phone Call Away
Allowing yourself plenty of time and planning carefully will greatly minimise any hassles and lead to a smooth relocation.
Partnering with removal experts such as Optimove can also help. We’ve made it our business to provide premium service removals, so our clients have nothing to worry about on moving day. White-glove handling, fixed fees, and the most experienced team leaders in the business – if there’s anything we can do to make your move more relaxed, just let us know.
Contact the team at Optimove Brisbane Furniture Removalists and discover stress-free moving. Call 1300400874 or get in touch online.
