How to Make Relocating Less Stressful: Seven Simple Tips

Moving need not be stressful. Use these simple tips to plan a smooth moving experience.

We are moving again. I have moved houses three times in the past two years, and although I love the excitement of moving to yet another new place filled with new things to explore, I still dread the elaborate process that involves the entire act of packing and moving.

It was a nerve-wracking experience the first time I moved houses as there were several things we messed up that we could have done better to save our money and peace of mind.

I have streamlined the process through the next few moves, but still, it feels cumbersome and somewhat overwhelming. Each time, I learned something new and researched new ways to make this tiresome process easier. I have finally come out with a plan to make the experience better this time around.

If you are planning a move as well, you can check out the list so that you can have a great experience while moving to your new place.

Things to consider before moving:

1. Declutter and organize your belongings-

Even before you plan your move, it helps to take stock of your belongings. We think we have a fair idea of what we have in our houses, but it always surprises me about the volume of things I managed to pile up throughout the years.

How to go about it.

Go from room to room, opening your closets and storages. Bring out all the stuff and put them in three lots. The first lot to be kept back neatly folded, the second consisting of clothes that are in good condition but are out of style, do not fit, or simply don’t wear them anymore. Put them in a bag to be donated. The third pile has those worn-out items that are just taking space in your drawers. They are too far gone to be good enough to be donated. You can recycle them wherever possible or just throw them out.

How does it help?

Decluttering and organizing your stuff help you consider how much you need to pack and what you need to leave behind. You might feel you already have an idea, but believe me, after you have sorted and organized the belongings in the rooms, you will be amazed by the results.

Chances are you will steel your heart and throw away half the stuff you have accumulated over the years. That will lighten your load and make you look forward to a fresh start in your new house.

I have friends who took it a little too far and thrown out some great stuff but don’t worry. If you cannot make up your mind about whether to keep or throw that dress you bought ten years ago, you should just dump it.

The entire decluttering and organizing of your closets will take at least a week, so plan it ahead. It is a slow process and requires effort. You can clean and keep your belongings in small batches to further simply the next step that involves packing.

I hoard books, and the magazines seem to pile up every season. Every time I try to put them out for recycling, those glossy images catch my eye. What if I need them for future reference or for making vision boards or something like that? This time I am donating my books and magazines to the library. I will keep only the few that I just can’t separate from.

2. Get those boxes-

Now that you know how much stuff you have, it is time to get the boxes to start your moving process. You might be tempted to get fresh, new packages to make your moving experience a bit exciting, but that can burn a hole in your pocket.

Take the initiative to get hold of the free boxes available in your grocery stores and the shops near you. Get boxes of different sizes to fit your belongings- small ones to take kitchen items, medium ones for shoes, and bigger boxes to hold your clothes and other knick-knacks.

It makes sense to pack your heavy books and journals in suitcases as it is easy to roll them out. Heavy boxes are difficult to carry and will strain your arms in the process.

Pack fragile items in small boxes. Breakable kitchen jars and items can be packed in smaller containers to make sure they stay compact and don’t move around. Same with your picture frames and small delicate items.

3. Other packing materials-

When I moved for the first time across continents, I bought an elaborate list of packing materials. It was way over the top, and later I even packed some of my unused packing materials for future moves. I got papers for wrapping, bubble wraps, strings, cases, tapes, and whatnot. You name it, and I got it.

If you are moving across states, you would probably not need most of that stuff. Invest in some bubble wraps if you have a lot of fragile items. Get a good quality tape to seal the boxes, and you are good to go.

It helps if you get a tape dispenser with a comfortable hold. It is easy to seal boxes when the tape flows freely without causing a mess.

Don’t forget to get some colorful labels to color-code your boxes while packing. It is a lifesaver when the movers dump the boxes in your new home, and you need to locate where exactly they belong.

Best you ask the movers to put the boxes in the rooms they are color-coded for. For example, stick a red label in front of the kitchen, and the boxes with red-tape go there. Same for your bedroom, living room, bathroom, etc.

I have seen some fancy labels which have the names of rooms printed on them. You can get them on Amazon or make do with the colorful tapes available to you.

4. Start packing-

With all the boxes in hand, you can start packing. It is better if you start about a week before the moving day as it takes time to pack and seal the boxes.

I always start with the kitchen as it takes the longest time. We only use a few of the kitchen items on a regular basis. It makes sense to pack away the delicate china’s and those special occasion pots and pans much earlier to prevent last-minute chaos and possible breakage.

I have seen advice to pack item-wise like clothes, books, shoes, etc., but found that it feels more organized to tackle packing room-wise. Pick one room, pack everything there, which you have already sorted and organized. Put them neatly in boxes, seal the boxes and label them appropriately. Then put them in a corner.

5. Clean while you pack-

Some will pack the entire home and then clean the area for future residents. But after packing up, you will have very little energy to start cleaning the space all at once. It is better to clean as you pack in every room. So, you pack your clothes and then clean your closet immediately thereafter.

Cleaning your rooms as you pack will keep things moving. You will not forget to clean any area, and the end result will be a task well done.

If you have multiple bathrooms, it makes sense to pack all except the one you leave for the day of the move. That way, you have to pack and clean only one bathroom on that day while every other room will be suitably packed and cleaned.

6. Keep a separate basket to carry with you-

Before you start packing, keep some clothes, toiletries in a separate basket for a quick change of clothes or to freshen up when you reach your new home. You can include your water jug, some plates, and cups to get your kitchen ready for quick snacking.

Don’t forget your valuables and important documents. Keep them safe at first in your purse or a separate bag to prevent them from getting lost in the confusion of last-minute packing. That includes your mobile phones and chargers.

Put your electronics in their original boxes and tape them for safety.

7. Take pictures of your favorite arrangements-

I know it sounds silly, but I take great care in hanging pictures in the proper order that makes them look great in a room. The same goes for arranging vases, art, and picture frames. Do take a picture of those arrangements before you take them down.

While decorating your new home, just whip out the picture and arrange them in the order you love.

Take pictures of your favorite roadside café, that tree under which you had spent hours reading, and that bend in the road that made you nostalgic. They will create memories for you in the future.

Moving need not be stressful if you plan in advance. Involve your family and make beautiful memories of it. Aren’t you feeling excited yet? I sure do.

Happy Moving!