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Congratulations! You’ve finalized a new rental contract or finally found your dream home! The process of moving home can drag on for months, especially if you are buying. Once you have exchanged contracts, the physical move can commence.
There’s no escaping that moving house can be stressful. Sitting among boxes and bags of your belongings might make you begin to question your decision. Here are some tips to help make your house move go as smoothly as possible.
Start Early And Plan Ahead
Contrary to popular belief, you can start packing your home up before you finalized contracts – it won’t jinx anything! Planning in advance means there is less last-minute panicking.
You can start slowly by creating a plan for your current home. For instance, you could go through each room and make lists of the items in each space. This will help you to group them when you do start packing.
This is also a great excuse to have a declutter. Taking less with you will prevent your new home from feeling overwhelmed when it comes to unpacking at the other end. Utilise charity shops and selling sites to make sure everything goes to a good home.
Organize Your Essentials
About a week or so before you pack the vans and head off to your new home, think about your essential items and start getting a box together.
The box should include any medication for the whole family, as well as chargers and personal devices. This is especially important if you are moving with little kids in tow.
Remember to keep your personal documents safe too. Things like passports can easily get mislaid during a house move if they aren’t carefully looked after.
If you are moving a long way away or using a professional moving company, it may be a good idea to pack a couple of changes of clothes for everyone. There may be delays in your belongings arriving and keeping everyone comfortable is key.
Important Documents Box
Keeping all important documents organized during a move is essential for a smooth transition.
Designate a specific box or folder for critical paperwork, such as passports, wage slips, house deeds, and insurance papers.
This ensures that you remain organized and can easily access necessary documents throughout the moving process.
Consider creating electronic copies of these documents as backups, stored securely in the cloud or on a USB drive.
This added layer of security can be invaluable if anything goes missing during the move. By taking these precautions, you can minimize stress and ensure that all essential paperwork is readily available when you need it.
Enlist Help And Transportation
Professional moving companies can be a bit out of your budget, so calling in favours with friends and family will be a lifesaver.
When your army of helpers arrives, assign everyone a task. Use a checklist to make sure all areas are covered.
You could ask some people to help pack up breakables and have a team to pack up cars and vans.
If you have the packing covered, you may just need to borrow a friend’s bigger car or van. This can save you money on hiring one or using movers.
Remember to put your safety first and get day insurance to ensure you have proper coverage when moving.
Finally, whilst moving day is going to be stressful, it will soon become a distant memory once you are settled and happy in your new home.
Mental Health Considerations
Moving house is one of life’s most stressful events, often leading to anxiety and other mental health issues.
To safeguard your mental well-being during this transition, start preparing early and give yourself ample time to adjust.
Pack essentials that provide comfort, such as favourite books or family photos, to create a sense of familiarity in your new space.
Be kind to yourself, take breaks when needed, and don’t hesitate to accept help from friends and family.
Using a checklist can also help you stay organized and reduce stress. Remember that it’s normal to feel overwhelmed, and taking proactive steps can help you navigate this challenging time with greater ease.
Go Slowly
Moving day is exhausting, and it’s unrealistic to expect to unpack everything immediately. Set realistic expectations for yourself and your family and remember that it’s okay to take your time.
Schedule breaks for meals and hydration and keep your survival kit handy for quick access to essentials.
Allow yourself time to relax and unwind after the move, perhaps with a takeaway or a movie night to celebrate your new beginning.
Understand that it will take time to fully settle into your new home and give yourself grace during this adjustment period. Embracing a slower pace can lead to a more enjoyable and fulfilling moving experience.
