Moving is one of the most stressful things you can do—and yet, everyone has to do it at some point. Whether you’ve accepted a great new job offer across the country or are moving down the street to a cheaper apartment, the process is the same: get everything into boxes and out of the house before you lose your mind. Follow our four tips to take the extra stress out of moving and make it a day to remember:
1. Organization is Critical
If you’re not naturally clean and organized, now is the time to de-clutter. Whip out your boxes, label maker, and trash bags and get to work. You certainly don’t want to waste your time packing up items that you no longer need. Throw away any unnecessary items from your past that you don’t want to bring into this next stage of your life. Go through your closet and donate any items you haven’t worn in a year, or have a huge garage sale and invite over your friends. If you’re having trouble with this step, divide it into smaller pieces—for example, dedicate one day to clearing out your kitchen cabinets and deciding which pans and plate you’d like to keep.
2. Make a Plan!
If you’ve ever tried packing the night before a big move, you know how impossible it can seem. Don’t put yourself in a stressful situation—instead, make a plan! Moving is a huge project, and you’ll need to prepare for weeks ahead of time to make it go as smoothly as possible. Put together a list of all the tasks you have: hiring movers or renting a van, packing your belongings, cleaning your old space, and asking friends to help you out. Don’t just throw all your belongings into a box, either—you’ll have an easier time if you go room-by-room and dedicate several hours each day to the process. Label the boxes for easier unpacking later.
3. Timing is Everything
It goes without saying that you should avoid a move right around the holidays, when you have an audit at work, or a week before your huge family reunion. But when is the most appropriate time to move? Summer is the most popular time for switching up housing, so it might be good to avoid those months if possible. Of course, if you’re facing the end of a lease, you don’t have a lot of options. In that case, make sure you think about your timeline: find a new place, save up for a deposit or down payment, and request any time off work you may need.
4. Just Breathe
Remember: not everything is going to go your way. There will be hurdles and mistakes, but if you’ve planned and organized, you’ll be able to get through it. Don’t expect perfection; instead, take it as it is and think of the new future you’re preparing for. To help ease some of the fear of these unplanned events, have a back-up plan for if your movers don’t arrive or you get off-schedule. And when you’re feeling incredibly stressed, just remember: eventually you’ll be all settled into your new place and loving life. Feeling the stress of trying to find a ONEderful new home? Reach out to ONE of our awesome agents! http://bit.ly/1MGCOfp