We have all heard a thousand times that moving home is one of the most stressful events of your life.
But why is moving home so stressful? Usually because of a lack of planning and preparation, the fear of the unknown – it is not an event that you participate in regularly, and the loss of all that is familiar and comfortable to you in the home you are moving from.
So, how do you move home without losing your mind?
Answer: Label the box properly, so that you are sure you know what box your sanity is in!
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Seriously though, there is no single action, which will help you keep your sanity while moving home, or make the whole home moving process smoother, than getting a professional removal company to pack, and manage, your home move.
Even obtaining a quote, and researching the removal companies in your area, can be a stress-free process if you use an online, home moving quote estimator.
Not only will you remove the uncertainty of the cost of your home move, but the reviews of the moving companies, will further give you peace of mind that the company you have chosen is dependable.
When you have employed the services of a professional removal company, you are paying them to endure the majority of the stress of your move, on your behalf.
Therefore, this article will concentrate on moving day, as that is the one day when the weeks of planning and packing will culminate into just a few hours of frenzied activity, when it is crucial to stay calm, and keep your insanity intact.
Preparation is paramount, so ensure that there is nothing left to pack on moving day, everything should be ready to load onto the removal vehicle the night before, with the exception of the moving day box.
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This is your moving day survival kit. Within it you should pack everything that is essential to get you through moving day, and the first night in your new home.
Beverages – For you and the removal team, especially important if it is a hot or cold day.
Disposable cups, plates and cutlery will eliminate the need for a washing up kit.
Food – Prepare a breakfast of cereals in air-tight containers for example, ensuring that there is also enough for the first morning in your new home, unless you already know where the local stores are. Pack snacks for during the day to help boost energy levels. Consider perhaps a one-pot meal for the evening, unless you are planning on having a take-away.
If you have pets don’t forget their food too.
Duct Tape and zip ties – These will repair any number of things in an emergency.
Knife or scissors – For opening sealed boxes.
Toilet paper.
Wet Wipes – For a multitude of cleaning uses.
Bin Bags.
First Aid Kit.
Torch with fresh batteries.
Phone / laptop charger.
Note pad and pen (test that the pen works! – and put this in the box last).
Any prescribed, essential medication.
A bottle of wine – To toast your first night in your new home.
You could also include bed linen, towels, change of clothing, and washing kit, space allowing.
You may want to put any important paperwork in this box, so you know exactly where it is.
Ensure this is the last box to be loaded, and the first unloaded at your new home, or better still, have it travel with you to your new home, so that you know where it is at all times.
Keep Calm and Move Home
Take 5 minutes out of the moving day frenzy to recharge your battery.
The essential thing to remember on moving day, is that nothing is permanent, events will go from good to bad, and bad to good. A strange thing to say, but this is only one day out of your life. Keep everything in perspective.
Your actions, or state of mind, will influence how others react and behave, so these top tips will help keep you sane, and calm, on moving day.
Be realistic with any goals that you set yourself for moving day. Don’t plan to move and unpack in a day. Break moving day down into small targets that are achievable. For example, the removal company have scheduled 3 hours to load your removal vehicle, so you should mentally plan 4 hours for that task. That way if they over-run, you will be mentally prepared, and you will not become stressed about it. Overestimate everything, thereby managing your stress levels, then when you reach those targets sooner, you will add to your comfort buffer. Conversely, if deadlines over-run you will have built in a mental safety margin, and half an hour late, seems nowhere near as devastating as an hour and a half late.
Make sure you wake in plenty of time before the arrival of the removal team. The last thing you want is to be rushing around because the removal company will arrive in 2 minutes time.
Ensure there is plenty of time for breakfast. This will give you enough energy to get you through the day, and if you regularly have breakfast, doing so on moving day, will reinforce the feeling of familiarity and normality.
Remove the danger and inconvenience of children and pets. Early morning, if possible, take the children to a friend’s, or relative’s house. Likewise, take any pets to the kennels, or a friend’s house for the day. It will be easier, and safer, for all concerned if there are no small feet, or paws, running around all day, whilst the removers are trying to load and unload the lorry. Failing that, assign an empty room where they can be looked after, out of harm’s way.
Have a place of sanctuary. Maybe a bench in the garden, or a corner of the kitchen. Familiarity is key to reducing the emotional stress of moving home. So whilst all around you is in a state of upheaval, you will have somewhere to retreat to that is familiar, and affords a degree of respite.
Keep important telephone numbers handy. Ensure you have contact numbers for the removal company, solicitors, landlord or estate agents. Remember to fully charge your mobile phones ready for moving day.
Get to know your removal team. It will be easier to manage them if they like you, so make an effort, by perhaps starting moving day by offering them a cup of tea. Take rest breaks with the team and get to know their names. You all have to work together to get through this day with the minimum of stress.
Take regular breaks during the moving process. This will recharge you mentally, and physically. But ensure you manage the length of the breaks, the last thing you need is to run out of time.
Become familiar with the area you are moving into. Before moving day, get to know the area where your new home is. If you can become even a little familiar with your new surroundings you will settle quicker, and therefore build a bond with your new neighbourhood. Even if you cannot physically visit the area, use Google Maps and StreetView, to enable you to recognize certain landmarks.
Retain your Sanity after Moving Day
Don’t let these words enter your mind on moving day.
You are still in danger of losing your sanity after moving day, so apply the same mindset that you adopted on moving day for the next few days in your new home.
Have an Unpack Plan. Arrange to take time off work to unpack your moving boxes and organize your new home. By allowing yourself a few extra days to do the unpacking, you will ensure that the first night, and day, in your new home, can begin at a relaxed pace. It is worth remembering that people generally over estimate what they can achieve in a day, but underestimate what they can achieve in a week.
Bedrooms and Bathrooms First. Set up your bedrooms first. A good night’s sleep is essential to clear your mind and ensure you are refreshed to start the unpacking process. The bathroom is the next room to be organized, not only will you wash away the grime of moving day, but you will feel emotionally better after a nice hot shower.
Organise a home warming party. Again, be realistic about setting a date for this party, but having a target date will be the motivation you need to unpack every moving box, and get your home organized. Without this motivation, any boxes you do not unpack within a reasonable timescale are likely to remain unpacked, shoved in a spare room or garage.
Relocation depression. This is as real a problem as moving day stress, and needs to be managed accordingly. It is the lack of familiarity and uncertainty that will trigger relocation depression. By organizing and setting up things that are familiar to you, for example, having a hairdryer on the left side of your dressing table, next to a photo of a Bruce Willis, will immediately trigger feelings of normality and comfort.
Get to know the neighbours. This is a good start to building your support network, having someone who knows the area, and is able to offer local advice when you need it, is invaluable.
Explore your new surroundings. Walking the streets of your new neighbourhood will not only help you to become familiar with the area, but will ensure you spend some time away from the unpacking process. Just being outdoors will recharge your batteries and add to your overall sense of wellbeing. Upon your return home you will approach your unpacking schedule with renewed vigour.
So in summary, use a professional removal company, plan meticulously, be realistic in what you expect to achieve, and prepare yourself mentally for things to go wrong.
Highly unlikely, but you may lose a box, just don’t lose your mind when moving home.
There is a Buddhist meditation that teaches you to focus on unpleasant scenarios, which I will not go into the details of here. But we can apply the same logic and reasoning when moving home.
The lesson being, that if you become familiar with the fact that things will go wrong on moving day, should the previously contemplated scenarios become reality, they will not be a shock to you. You will be mentally prepared to deal with the event, and the emotions that event arouses in you, in a logical and reasonable way, thereby retaining your sanity.
Is it possible to stay sane when moving home? Yes.
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