Moving your belongings from your old home to your new one is not a picnic. The chaos of packing everything in boxes and moving furniture while going on with your daily tasks can be frustrating and exhausting. Moving can put a lot of stress on you that can lead to mistakes which in turn will cost you time and money. Instead of panicking, you should break down the job into smaller tasks and aim to finish them one by one. These 6 helpful tricks will ease the stress on you and your family members while you are moving to your new home.
- Create a To-Do List
During the chaos of moving, people tend to forget things like changing their address or calling their insurer. With too much on your plate and without proper planning, you will most likely forget a few things you need to do. You should start planning once you know you are going to move to a new house. Write down all the tasks you need to do whether on paper or on your device, but the to-do list must be evident around you at all times. When you’ll see the list, you will keep thinking about the tasks you have to do, and it will also remind you to add any tasks which you may have forgotten.
- Declutter
Remember that the less you have, the fewer things you will have to pack. You should go through all your stuff and decide which ones you will keep and which ones you will throw away. Decluttering your whole house may seem overwhelming but to simplify the task, declutter room by room. You don’t have to do it all in one day, you can break down the task into small ones and spread them over a week or two. Create three piles when you declutter; keep, sell, and trash. If you are feeling generous, you can donate some of the items in the ‘sell pile’ to charity. We may have a sentimental attachment to some items, so try to ask a friend for an objective opinion if you should keep it or not.
- Hire a Moving Company
Research your local movers to find a suitable and reputable moving company for your needs. A moving company can make or break the moving experience, so make sure to read reviews and check their certifications. When you are moving out of your old house in Kansas City, you are leaving your entire possessions with the moving company, so while you should care about their prices, you should also make sure they will deliver all your stuff in one piece.
- Color-Code Packing Boxes
When you write the name of the room on a box, you need to flip the box around to see the name which requires effort and time. Alternatively, you can tape the boxes with different tape colors and assign colors to rooms. For example, you can assign red tape to the bedroom, blue tape to the living room, and so on. Color-coding your boxes will allow you to easily identify to which room these boxes are going to. If you have trouble remembering the codes, write them down.
- Don’t Make Boxes Too Heavy
No one likes a heavy box, it will take a lot of effort to move and it will also hurt your back. Moreover, it will be prone to falling and breaking whatever is inside of it. Put heavy stuff such as books or electronics in small boxes, so they are easier to carry. You can put fragile items in small boxes as well so they will be put onto the top to avoid stacking weight on them.
- Create an “Open Me First” Box
When you reach your new home, you need some essentials to be available immediately, instead of rummaging through the boxes to find them. Put all the essentials you need in a box and label it “open me first”. This box should include:
- First aid kit
- Toilet paper
- Soap, shampoo, and lotions
- Coffee or tea
- Medications
You should keep some items with you such as your keys and important documents. Any other item you will need immediately when you arrive at your new home keep it in the “open me first” box.
These tips will ease some of the stress and panic that come with moving. Being prepared beforehand ensures that you don’t forget important matters and gives you the confidence that you are doing things right. Resolve any personal matters before you move such as informing your insurer of your new address to avoid going back and forth to take care of your business.
