Moving is a stressful business; anyone who has moved at least once can (and will) tell you! It also becomes exponentially more challenging if you are moving abroad or have a family with young children to look after.
However, not all is lost, and if you are planning a move soon and feel your heart sink from reading those initial sentences, fear not. With a few valuable moving techniques under your belt, you can make the process less arduous and far more streamlined, ensuring less stress, fewer arguments, and a reduced feeling that your life is imploding on you!
Fail To Prepare, Prepare To Fail
This initial tip might sound vague and generic, but there is more to it than what first meets the eye. When you move, there is a vast array of moving parts, each of which can make your life miserable if not accounted for. For example, if you are based in the UK but are moving to another country, choosing the right international removal specialist in UK with a stellar reputation will be far more conduce than hiring the first one that pops up on Google (let alone allowing a chatbot to suggest one). Since proper planning prevents poor performance, it’s prudent to take a hefty amount of time in the planning stages rather than going on a wing and prayer. The more control you have over each aspect, the less likely things will go wrong. Furthermore, even though some plans will inevitably fail, having a solid plan will enable you to recover and reevaluate the situation with minimal stress while still allowing you to progress with the remaining components of the strategy.
Create a Comprehensive Checklist
When undertaking such a formidable endeavor, having a solid project plan in place can make the difference between a smooth transition and chaotic disarray. A detailed plan illuminates the path ahead, enabling you to anticipate upcoming needs, allocate resources and, at least in practice, prepare accordingly. You should begin by outlining key milestones, including assigning a decent buffer of days between each deadline to ensure everything runs smoothly. Your checklist should remain relatively ambiguous while still retaining a certain level of granularity. Yes, this sounds completely counterintuitive, but it can be done. For example, you might list who is responsible for packing which items for what room but leave enough wiggle room so that you don’t lose time if that person is unavailable. By doing so, you will avoid delays that can come about from people not pulling their weight or other plans becoming a priority, etc.
Establish a Realistic Timeline
Establishing a realistic timeline will not only keep you sane but also provides an indisputable roadmap for navigating the multi-stage journey you are about to embark on. One tip is to build in more days than you think you’ll need for pre-move tasks like decluttering, house inspections, packing, and so forth. The idea is to avoid feeling rushed and in a constant time deficit. You should map out days for essential services like utility and internet connection at your new residence in advance; just avoid scheduling things too tightly or over the weekend; otherwise, you may end up without crucial amenities. A timeline provides structure while still allowing flexibility when needed. With a realistic roadmap, you steer clear of unnecessary stress and keep the journey focused on excitement for your new chapter.
Take Inventory Of Belongings (And Their Condition)
Taking an inventory of your item isn’t really an optional tip, but one that you must take time to do correctly if you desire everything to turn up in your new place as it should. However, you shouldn’t simply make a list of stuff, but check the confidence, including taking photos of higher priced items. While most movers are reputable and take care of your belongings, accidents can happen. To protect yourself and the moving company, it’s best to note any existing damages to avoid disputes down the line.
Label and Pack Boxes in Order You Wish to Unpack Them
When packing your belongings, you should pack in the opposite order to ensure that the unpacking process is more straight ward. While you might believe packing is the most stressful part, unpacking is often much more complicated because you are filling up a space rather than emptying it. Moreover, labeling will play a massive role in ensuring you know what’s in the boxes and where they are supposed to go. With everything meticulously labeled and sequenced, unpacking becomes a breeze. No standing puzzled, surrounded by a sea of ambiguous boxes.
Prioritize Tasks and Deadlines
Prioritization brings order to chaos, and since there is nothing more chaotic than moving house, it will pay dividends. You can categorize move activities into three tiers which will allocate your resources more efficiently:
- Critical
- High priority
- Optional
When you tier your priorities, you can avoid wasting effort on nonsensical activities and spend more time on those that require more attention.
With these tips, you can make your move that little bit easier. While you won’t avoid all calamities, you can ensure things go far more smoothly than otherwise.