Moving is stressful, so whatever you can do to help you make life easier during this time is pure gold. There are so many things to consider, so you may want to make a few lists of what needs to get done. It would help if you also thought about what you’ll need when you arrive. When you put it all together, it can quickly get very overwhelming. Here are a few tips to think about to make this the simplest move ever.
Consider Shipping Your Car
If you are moving cross country, it can be nearly impossible to move all your important items as well as your car to your new destination. In fact, often families will choose to move in two stages. The first stage will involve moving all their belongings and the second leg is going back to move their car.
You can avoid this two-stage moving journey by choosing to ship your car. You might think that shipping your car is complicated or expensive but with the internet, everything is so much easier. You can easily find car shipping quotes online and see if this option fits your budget and needs.
Have the Right Equipment
Having the proper equipment can make a move go much faster. You can also rent some of it from your local home improvement store if you don’t have it or don’t want to buy it. A mover’s dolly can carry up to a thousand pounds, so when you have heavy furniture, having one is worth the convenience to move it safely.
Moving blankets are also crucial for those pieces that you want to protect. Maybe you have a dresser that you’re considering taking with you. A moving blanket can keep it from getting damaged. Complement the moving blanket with some heavy-duty plastic shrink wrap, and your furniture will be safe.
Equipment doesn’t only include things for your furniture. It also includes tools or other items that can help you stay safe and sane in a world of moving madness. If you’re going to be doing a lot of bending and lifting, you may want to invest in a back brace to give you more support and prevent injury. Markers and label-makers can also help you keep track of the stuff your boxes contain.
Declutter Before Packing
Decluttering can feel daunting because, over time, people tend to accumulate so much stuff. If you have ever wanted a minimalist lifestyle, now is the time to make that happen. Getting rid of what you own but don’t use makes moving so much simpler because you have less stuff to move.
Look at what you own with a critical eye and think about whether or not you genuinely need the stuff. Realistically, most people don’t need all of the things they have, so now’s your time to come to terms with what you need versus what you don’t. Be brutally honest with yourself, and you’ll recognize what needs to go.
It doesn’t matter what method you use. You can go for what brings you joy or set a timer to spend a certain number of minutes focusing on what you want in a given room. You may even want to shift your mindset into remembering you can’t take things with you when you die. While that is dark, it can help you put things into perspective. Ultimately, the idea is to make it so you have less stuff to move and therefore make the entire move more manageable, so do what works for you and get it done.
Plan at Least Two Weeks Ahead
Often, people wait until the last couple of weeks to pack, but if you know it is coming, you should start ahead of the time you need to move. Doing the work sooner instead of later will relieve so much stress from what you have to deal with during a move.
A two-week head start is a suggestion, but you can do more or less time if you need to. Start by making a schedule of what needs to be done. Move up each date by two weeks. When you give yourself that time, you’ll be okay if you need a little more or a little less because life happens.
Stick to it, and don’t procrastinate when you do this because you’ll feel it on the backend. Even spending thirty minutes a day going through things will add up over time, and you’ll feel better when the time comes and you have to go. If you decide to ship a car, this extra time works well in giving you more breathing room to make it happen.
The Bottom Line to Making a Move Easier
When you’re staring down the barrel at a major move, life suddenly feels a lot more challenging. You owe it to yourself to do what you can to make it easier for you. Even it costs a little more, having the proper equipment can make moving so much simpler, so it’s worth working it into your budget. Declutter so you know what you’re taking with you and make sure you know what equipment you’ll need on moving day. To keep stress minimal, start planning now and give yourself a two-week buffer to minimize stress when the day comes.
