Moving Tips – Does moving really have to be stressful?
Moving to a new home is one of the more stressful times in life. But does it have to be that way? These moving tips will help to make your next move less stressful. 
Getting to the other end of any move is a great stress release, but it takes some planning before those packing boxes will be opened and things put away.
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Topic of the day: Moving Tips. Can it be fun, or is it destined to always be warfare?
There is one thing for sure, these thoughts come to mind any time you are moving to a new place:
- Fact #1: Moving into a new house can be stressful.
- Fact #2: The bigger the move, the greater the stress factor.
- Fact #3: The farther away the move from your old place, the more stress is involved.
I am planning on moving from Good Ol’ North Carolina to Los Angeles, California (in a month, yikes!) Now that is a big move!
Well…I guess that means I’ve got a lot of stress coming my way. Or does it??
Honestly, don’t we all wish moving could be like this? It would be nice to just box ourselves up and move to the next place, having fun doing it.
BUT, we live in the real world…So, how do you deal with the stress of moving?
Here are some a few thoughts that come to mind:
- Barricade yourself in your current home and never leave.
- Sneak out in the middle of the night and leave all your worldly belongings.
- Cry about it until you surf to your new house on a river of your own tears.
- OR…something more rational.
Since mindfulness is on my radar right now for the way I want to live, I choose the last option! (well, I’ve probably gone through all of the options in my mind, but something more rational is what I’m picking today).
Moving Tips for move that is more relaxing
Here are some good things to keep in mind for your next move! While these moving tips won’t ensure that the move is totally stress-free, they will go a long way towards helping you to keep a balanced mind.
Start with a printable moving list
If you start organized, you stay organized. A move can take many weeks to happen from start to finish. If you have everything figured out on paper, it makes the actual move go much more smoothly.
There are lots of moving lists available for you use use online. Find one that coordinates with your possessions, or come up with your own.
Be creative with large items
Store soft items inside of large bowls and pots. This protects the breakables and makes use of wasted space.
Think of all the sweaters and underwear that will fit inside of your kitchen pots and pans and breakable serving dishes. This solves two problems in one.
Protect breakables
Make sure you have plenty of bubble wrap. Line boxes with it and use it as well as your towels and sheets to protect breakable items.
Another tip is to place breakables in smaller boxes. This not only protects them, but makes it easier for the moves to lift the boxes and make sure the items don’t break.
Start Early
You may think you’ll be able to pack, move and unpack everything in a week, but life might not cooperate. Start early. Plan for unexpected glitches from movers and your own unpredicable schedule.
Now might be a good time to go through your closets and prune. See more tips on downsizing below.
Gather Moving Supplies Before the actual move
This tip goes along with starting early. There are loads of packing supplies that are free IF you plan ahead and start saving them.
Those air pocket things that Amazon ships in, and bubble wrap and foam pieces are ideal (got an old torn yoga mat? Save it for protecting plates.)
Even old telephone books, and egg cartons can come in handy if you have them on hand.
Moving Clothes
There are special moving boxes that have clothes rails inside of them. They are a bit of a luxury where price is involved, they they make moving clothes super easy. You just transfer them from the rails in the boxes to the closets of the new home. Easy peasy!
If you don’t have these, consider using garbage bags to cover the clothes on hangers to keep them clean. They are the perfect size for larger items and will help the clothes stay on the hanger.
Just make a hole in the bottom of the bag and pull the hangers through. Tie the bottom with a knot and you are good to go. Brilliant!
Downsize
I mentioned this above but can’t stress it enough. Only keep what you know you will really use at the other end. Why move clothes you haven’t worn in years, or that huge stack of magazines that you haven’t gotten around to reading.
Go through closets and figure out what you’ll be moving and what could be donated.
There is no point in moving things you won’t be using in your new home. Your clutter may be another person’s treasure. Goodwill places will thank you for the donations.
Label your boxes!
Getting to the other end with a million boxes and wondering what is in them makes for a stress packed move. Why open 15 boxes looking for the shoes you need for tonight, when you could label that box to make it easy?
Label the boxes according to the room they are going to end up in and take the extra time to add what is in the box.
You can do this with markers if you plan on tossing the boxes, or post it notes if you want to keep them clean.
If the boxes have fragile items, be sure to mark them FRAGILE. This will save everyone lots time and stress during the move. Time spent labeling is worth every mint.
Invest in moving boxes if you can afford it
You can make a trip to the grocery store or liquor store to get free boxes, but special moving boxes are worth their weight in gold if you can afford them.
They will cost more, but will be similar in size and that makes it easier for the movers and easier at your destination as well.
The most important of my moving tips!
Now, I know you might think this is a joke, but I’m serious! I know we’ve all done it. But let your inner child play with the bubble wrap AFTER you move in!
Don’t forget, moving can be stressful…but it can also be fun! Get a bunch of friends together and make your next move a memorable one. As always, if you have any questions or additional tips, don’t hesitate to comment or contact me!
Pin these moving tips for later
Would you like a reminder of these tips for making your move less stressful? Just pin this photo to one of your boards on Pinterest.
Admin note: This post first appeared on the blog in July of 2013. I have updated the post to include more moving tips and all new photos.
