Moving house is often cited as one of the most stressful life events. Whether you’re relocating across town or to a new city, the process of packing, organising, and settling into a new home can be overwhelming. However, with some careful planning and organisation, you can significantly reduce the stress associated with moving. This article provides practical tips that will make moving less stressful and help you transition smoothly to your new home.
- Start Planning Early
One of the best ways to reduce the stress of moving is to start planning as early as possible. Procrastination leads to last-minute chaos, so give yourself plenty of time to organise every aspect of the move.
Create a Moving Checklist: A checklist is a great way to stay organised and ensure you don’t forget any important tasks. Break the process down into small, manageable steps, such as contacting utility companies, organising removalists, and packing non-essential items. Aim to start planning at least six to eight weeks before your moving date.
Set a Timeline: A clear timeline will help keep you on track. Set specific deadlines for when certain tasks should be completed, such as booking a removalist or starting to pack different rooms. This structure will help spread out the workload and prevent last-minute rushing.
- Declutter Before You Pack
Moving provides the perfect opportunity to declutter your home and get rid of items you no longer need. The fewer items you have to move, the easier and quicker the entire process will be.
Sort Through Your Belongings: Go through each room and divide your items into categories: keep, donate, sell, or discard. Be honest about what you truly need and use. If you haven’t worn a piece of clothing or used an item in over a year, it’s likely time to let it go.
Sell or Donate Unwanted Items: If you have valuable items you no longer need, consider selling them online through platforms like Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace. Alternatively, donate gently used items to local charities. Decluttering not only reduces moving stress but also gives you a fresh start in your new home.
- Create an Inventory of Your Belongings
Keeping track of your belongings is crucial during a move, especially if you have a lot of items or are moving long distances. Creating an inventory will help you stay organised and ensure that nothing gets lost or damaged during the move.
How to Create an Inventory:
- Go room by room and list all the items you plan to move.
- Include a description of each item, especially valuable or fragile ones.
- Take photos of expensive items for insurance purposes.
- Label boxes clearly with the contents and the room they belong to.
This inventory will also come in handy if you need to file an insurance claim for lost or damaged items.
- Book Your Removalist Early
Hiring a professional removalist can make moving far less stressful, but you’ll need to book them well in advance. Removal companies often get booked up quickly, especially during peak moving times, such as summer or the end of the year.
Compare Quotes: Get quotes from multiple removalists to find the best price and service. Ensure that the quote includes everything you need, such as packing services, furniture disassembly, and transportation.
Check Reviews and Credentials: Before booking a removalist, read customer reviews and ensure the company is licensed and insured. A reputable removalist will handle your belongings with care and provide a smooth moving experience.
- Pack Early and Strategically
Packing is one of the most time-consuming tasks when moving, so it’s important to start early and be strategic about how you pack. Aim to pack non-essential items first and leave everyday essentials for the final days before the move.
Pack Room by Room: Packing one room at a time will help you stay organised and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to, so it’s easy to unpack when you arrive at your new home.
Use High-Quality Packing Materials: Invest in sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape to protect your belongings. Consider using plastic tubs for extra protection, especially for valuable or fragile items.
Declutter as You Pack: Use packing as an opportunity to declutter further. If you come across items you no longer need, set them aside to donate or discard.
- Pack a Moving Day Essentials Box
One of the most common mistakes during a move is packing everything away and realising you don’t have access to essential items on moving day. Packing an essentials box will save you from rummaging through boxes to find what you need.
What to Include in Your Essentials Box:
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap)
- A change of clothes
- Medications
- Important documents (ID, lease papers, etc.)
- Phone chargers
- Snacks and water
- Basic kitchen items (plates, cutlery, kettle)
Keep this box with you on moving day, so you’ll have everything you need at hand without having to unpack right away.
- Notify Important Parties of Your Move
Moving house isn’t just about packing and transporting belongings. You also need to notify various organisations and service providers of your new address to ensure a smooth transition.
Who to Notify:
- Utility companies (gas, electricity, water)
- Your internet and phone provider
- Your bank and credit card companies
- Government services (e.g., Medicare, ATO)
- Subscription services (magazines, streaming services)
- Your employer and children’s school
Notify these parties at least two weeks in advance to ensure you don’t lose service or miss important mail during the move.
- Arrange Utilities at Your New Home
Before you move into your new home, ensure that your utilities are set up and ready to go. It’s a good idea to contact the relevant service providers a few weeks before your move to arrange for the transfer or installation of electricity, gas, water, and internet services.
How to Set Up Utilities:
- Contact the utility companies in your new area to establish a start date for services.
- If moving locally, arrange to transfer your existing utility accounts to your new address.
- Schedule the internet connection for as close to your move-in date as possible to avoid any downtime.
Having your utilities set up in advance will save you from arriving at your new home without power, water, or internet.
- Get Help from Family and Friends
Moving is a big task, and having help can make it much more manageable. Reach out to family and friends to lend a hand with packing, loading, or even babysitting if you have young children.
How Friends and Family Can Help:
- Assist with packing or carrying boxes.
- Help with disassembling and reassembling furniture.
- Look after pets or children on moving day.
- Provide meals or snacks to keep everyone energised.
Even if you’ve hired a removalist, extra hands can make the day run more smoothly and keep stress levels low.
- Stay Calm and Flexible on Moving Day
Even with the best planning, things can still go wrong on moving day. The key to reducing stress is to stay calm, flexible, and prepared for any unexpected challenges.
How to Stay Calm:
- Keep a positive mindset and remind yourself that the move is only temporary.
- Have a backup plan in case of delays, such as bad weather or unexpected problems with the moving truck.
- Give yourself extra time to complete the move, rather than rushing to meet tight deadlines.
If you stay organised and maintain a flexible attitude, you’ll be better equipped to handle any issues that arise without becoming overwhelmed.
Conclusion
Moving doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. By following these tips, you can make your move smoother, more organised, and less overwhelming. From starting your planning early to packing strategically and enlisting help from friends, every step you take to prepare will help reduce the stress on moving day. Remember, moving is an exciting opportunity for a fresh start, so focus on the positives and look forward to settling into your new home.