It is commonly said that moving is one of the most stressful events a person can go through—right up there with divorce or a death in the family. That’s understandable when you’re packing up your entire life and moving to a new location. It can be intimidating, even if you are moving locally or making frequent moves.
For most people, the sheer amount of planning and coordination can create a lot of moving stress. Fortunately, you can do several things to manage the strain and make things easier on yourself.
Below are some tips from expert movers on how to cope with the stress of moving to make the whole relocation process smoother. Discount Moving is among the best moving companies in Montreal and would love to help you navigate the start of this exciting new chapter, so don’t hesitate to call!
#1 Plan Early
One of the biggest pitfalls homeowners make when moving is waiting too long to start. Waiting until the last minute to get your move going ramps up the stress in all aspects of your move.
Instead, the experts recommend planning your move at least six weeks before the set moving date. However, if you start even earlier, you can take your time to plan in phases, as moving bit by bit is much more manageable than planning and packing everything in one go.
#2 Don’t Be Afraid to Downsize
Moving is the perfect time to go through your old things and get rid of anything you no longer need. Downsizing will not only get rid of some stress but also ease the moving costs as you move fewer items.
For example, some common items to get rid of before your big move might include the following:
- Old clothing
- Children’s toys
- Kitchen appliances
- Books
- Old electronics
- Cookware
- Art
If you have the time, hold a yard sale. Put the additional cash toward any extra moving expenses and enjoy having to move a little less to your new location.
#3 Handle Clerical Stuff First
The hardest parts of moving are the packing, logistics, and loading and unloading things from the moving truck. To make things simpler, handle clerical or administrative duties well before the main section of the move arrives.
For example, you’ll want to set up the utilities at your new place beforehand so that you’ll have heating and cooling as soon as you get there. And don’t forget that mailing address change!
#4 Get Help
When it comes to relocating, don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for help. In fact, you can turn moving into a bonding experience as you go through your old items, give stuff away, or lean on a few others for moral support.
Besides having a few extra eyes and hands around, getting help can ensure you don’t miss anything while you are packing and moving items.
#5 Use Labels
A move is the perfect opportunity to organize things. The more organized you are, the easier it will be to move and unpack stuff later when you arrive at your new location. You can usually buy box labels at a moving supplies store with dark, bold markers to label the boxes and colour-code things so you can identify them at a glance.
To avoid moving stress, the experts suggest that you divide your things into useful label categories that might include the following:
- Electronics
- Clothing (winter, summer, etc.)
- Dishes
- Books and magazines
Pack using a separate ledger to catalogue each box and its general contents. That way, you can account for every item as you leave for your final destination and make it to the other side.
#6 Research Your New Location
If you are moving far away, you might not yet know much about your new city, state, or country. Take time to research your new neighbourhood. Look for activities you can do to settle in.
Maybe there is a nearby coffee shop you can work at or a game at the nearby stadium. The more you know about your new location, the easier it will be to assimilate and make yourself at home.
#7 Hire a Professional
One of the best reasons to hire a professional moving company is delegation. The professionals can expertly handle the packing and logistics while you look at other aspects. Depending on your service provider, professional moving companies may also offer storage options if you need to keep items safe until you are ready to put them into your new place.
Professionals understand how to move large items like furniture without damaging the item or causing injuries. They also have all-important insurance coverage to protect your possessions in transit.
#8 Think About New Routines
A large stressor when you’re moving is having no idea of how to adopt a new routine. Most people are comfortably entrenched in habits and routines in their current homes. A daily routine keeps you centred, so it’s understandable that it might feel overwhelming to make a big change.
Why not get excited about your new place by thinking about a possible new routine and making some positive changes to your lifestyle? Settling into a new routine as quickly as possible will help you adapt to the new space and get comfortable. For example, you could start a daily walk in the morning or devote 20 minutes every afternoon to a hobby, like yoga, gardening, or journaling.
#9 Spend Time With Loved Ones
What is one of the biggest stressors for those who are moving? Separation anxiety, especially if you are moving to a new city or country away from your friends and family members.
Why not spend some extra time with your loved ones? Host a going away party or hang out with your friends at your favourite bar. Reminisce so that you can look forward to new adventures.
#10 Gather Important Documents
Part of moving stress is that things can go missing during a relocation. Are your irreplaceable documents safe and secure? For example, documents you want to double-check might include:
- Birth certificates
- Social security cards
- Passports
- Bills with identifying information
- Financial documents
These kinds of items can be very difficult to replace if lost, so it’s in your best interest to keep them separate from other items.
#11 Save Important Things for Last
The earlier you start packing, the better. However, there’s an art to it to minimize the stress involved. For instance, you’ll want to start packing items that you do not use frequently, like off-season clothing or old appliances.
The things you use frequently can go in last. Otherwise, you will be making things feel harder.
#12 Talk to Your Family
Moving is stressful for adults, but doubly so for children. Your younger children might not understand what’s happening, and children of all ages might feel nervous about leaving school or friends.
It’s important to have a family talk and little conversations along the way with the children about the move. Answer any questions they have and address their anxieties. It helps to get everyone involved, even if it’s just light packing or labelling, so that they can feel like they are contributing.
#13 Get Free Boxes
There’s always the option to buy boxes at a local moving supplies store. However, sometimes, you can save money by getting some free moving boxes from local businesses that are willing to give them away at the end of their inventory unpacking process.
For example, Costco and other large chain supermarkets usually have boxes of all shapes and sizes. If you need durable boxes for books, ask at a local bookstore, too.
#14 Take Frequent Breaks
When packing and moving boxes, be sure you take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water. It’s healthier to take things slowly to avoid strain or injury when moving heavy objects. The last thing you want to do is put your back out and ruin an entire day of packing because you pushed yourself too hard.
For the sake of your physical and mental health, try to take a water break every hour or so. Have snacks to keep your energy up, as eating and drinking properly always streamlines moving days.
#15 Take Time for Yourself
Amid all the hustle and bustle, you might forget about taking care of yourself. Everyone needs time to step away from the moving process. Why not take a few hours to do something you enjoy?
It’s important to remember to eat well and get plenty of sleep, as well. It might be tempting to devote all your spare time to the move or packing up, but giving yourself time to decompress considerably eases the moving stress as the move gains momentum.
Discount Moving: Stress-Free Moving in Montreal
Moving can be an amazing experience if you’re well-prepared and have the right support team on hand. To reduce some of the emotional stress of moving for a more successful move, why not let Discount Moving handle it all, from planning and packing to storage and unloading?Fill out our form for a free moving quote from Montreal’s Discount Moving crew today!
