Moving is one of the most emotionally, physically and mentally stressful events we go through in life. Depending on how long you’ve been in your property, not to mention how much you have to move, it can take weeks, or even months of preparation.
In my life, I’ve moved many times and I’ve learned to use it as a time for change and growth. With these 5 useful tips you can make the process much more pleasant and get the most from your move.
- Plan
You’ve got a lot to think about and it’s all happening at once, so free up your mind by making lists of what you need to do. Write down the logistics of what needs to get done, but also positive objectives like your plans for your new home.
What do you want to improve about your next place?
Is there anything broken in your current home you need to fix before you hand over the keys? What date will you need to hire a truck to allow enough cleaning time before you hand the keys over? When will you need to disconnect and reconnect utilities to allow enough cleaning and moving time?
Make a list for everything you need to clean, what you need to fix, what you need to move with you and what you can sell. Work out the dates you’ll start moving to give yourself ample time to do it all. Don’t ever underestimate how much time it takes to empty every cupboard and drawer, and to clean the house inside and out. The more planning you do beforehand, the less stress you’ll have in the final days of moving.
- Outsource
You’ve got a lot to do and it can become overwhelming, so anything you can afford to outsource I implore you to do it. You won’t do as good a job as the professionals and you don’t need added stress at this time.
Once every little item is out (but the electricity and water are still on), jump onto a cleaning service such as the Whizz cleaning app and let someone else give the place a professional clean. Also, consider hiring a gardener to quickly tidy up the yard and mow lawns if necessary, this will make sure you get your bond back if you rent, as you’ll need that money to cover expenses incurred when moving.
If you can afford it hire a reputable removalist, it will take a lot of pressure off you. If you’re lucky enough to have willing and able friends to lift things with you, enlist their help early on.
- Book ahead
Well ahead of time, sit down and make your phone calls, always referring to your timeline/plan that you made earlier. Make sure to start booking everything in advance so you know how much time you’ve got. Book your truck, redirect mail, change address details on your licence, bank accounts etc.
Call and have your electricity, gas, water, internet, phone and any other services to be connected and disconnected, allowing for an overlap, and mark all these dates on a calendar that you can easily refer to.
- Sort
As soon as you find out you’re moving, get the largest boxes you can find and label them room by room. Put in items you won’t be using as well as precious items you don’t want to get lost in the move. Start moving your smaller things as soon as you get the keys to your new house and put items straight into the room they belong, or if you’ve got time put things directly away
- Purge
Write a list of what you want to take to your new place and what you can let go of, making sure to be brutal in your decisions. Sell, donate or trash what you don’t want or need in your new life. Travel light, not only may your current furnishings not be the most suitable decor for your new place but you can free up some cash by selling it on such sites as Gumtree, and as an added bonus you’ll have less to move.
Life is about learning, improving and letting go.
If you treat your move as a chance to upgrade on your last home and enhance your quality of life, you’ll enjoy the process a whole lot more and it will be a cathartic experience instead of a chore.
