TimeWise is pleased to be an Affiliate Member of the Hampton Roads Realtor® Association. This article can also be found in the HR Realtor® April Magazine.
Moving? Here are some tips for a less stressful move.
Even when an upcoming move is welcome and exciting, there is no arguing moving can be stressful. It’s ranked right up there with death and divorce as one of the top 5 most stressful life events.
Here are a few steps we can take to help alleviate a little of the stress.
Declutter prior to packing. As soon as moving has showed up on the radar, start going room by room, drawer by drawer, looking for items no longer needed. We all have some level of “extra” in our homes – extra papers, clothes, shoes, and miscellaneous items (we’re not even sure where they came from, or what they do!).
So, declutter with a critical eye and let go of the extra. Set up bins, boxes, or areas labeled for Trash, Donate, Sell.
Go through your kitchen pantry and refrigerator and discard all expired food and spices.
Moving is the perfect time to lighten your load, and potentially save money on your move. Once you’ve done the edit, pre-packing items you will not need and placing them in the garage or storage shed, can be very helpful, especially if you will be listing your home.
Labeling is key. Plan with the unpacking in mind, by labeling the boxes with the name of the room the items will be placed in once they’ve arrived at your new home. Place the labels on the side of the box, instead of the top. You can also use colored painters’ tape to help identify rooms.
If you want to be extra organized, number the boxes and keep a list of them with detail of what’s inside each box. These steps will make the unpacking much easier.
Use it up; don’t move it out. If you’re planning to move soon, do your best to stop bringing more into your home. Use up cleaning supplies and paper products as well as the food in your fridge and freezer.
Keep the Essentials Handy
For the items you’re going to need right away, label or color code the box with “Open First”. Moving days can be long and exhausting. Being able to find the coffee pot so you can enjoy a nice cup of coffee in your new home the next morning, can make all the difference in the world. Be sure to have an “Open First” box with toilet paper, paper towels, a couple of garbage bags, soap, and any other supplies you’ll want the first night.
Pack an overnight bag with medications, hygiene products, PJ’s, change of clothes for the next day, etc., for each household member (don’t forget your furry friends) and place in your car. It’s also a good idea to keep a few snacks and waters in case you need a quick bite.
Ideally, beds and bedding will be loaded on the truck towards the end, so they’ll be first off. As soon as the mattress and bed frame are set up in the room, seek out the bedding and get your beds made.
While I don’t recommend packing in bags, I do like to place bedding in big heavy duty black contractor’s bag to help quickly identify the sheets, pillows, and blankets to make up the beds.
Even though you’ll probably be anxious to get as much unpacked and set-up as possible, the reality is you aren’t going to get it all done in one night. So, have your essentials handy and allow yourself to stop at a reasonable hour.
After a good night’s sleep (and that delightful cup of coffee) you’ll be ready to get back to making your new house a home.