You land a new job. Your spouse needs to relocate. You need to move to be closer to aging members who need care. Whatever the reason, you might find yourself with the enormous job of packing up all your worldly belongings and moving across the country to start a new chapter in your life.
Are you stressed yet? Moving is hard enough to contemplate without adding the element of traveling long distance as well. How can you prepare for this big life step without adding big stress to your life? Follow these simple yet necessary steps for a stress-free move:
1. Clean, clean, clean!
Spring cleaning is not a priority for most. However, now that you are right in the middle of a move, it is necessary to reduce and clear out any clutter that has accumulated in and around your home. Go through those boxes in the attic and garage, give items away for donation and to family and friends, and clean what you can before moving day so you won’t be bogged down by items that you no longer wish to have in your life.
Consider selling items on eBay or Craigslist if they are in good condition. It’s always nice to have a little extra cash on hand for additional expenses that might crop up during the move. Assess bigger items in your home and determine whether it’s worth packing and taking them with you, or if you would be better off purchasing new items in your new location. Making these decisions ahead of time will reduce your stress and allow you to relax a bit as you watch the flurry of activity around you on moving day.
2. Pack appropriately for the distance
Throwing your belongings haphazardly into bins and laundry baskets won’t work for a cross-country move. You’ll need the proper packing materials to ensure that all of your items arrive safely in your new location. Boxes, bubble wrap, paper, tape, and even markers are essential so that you can secure things and annotate them appropriately. Nothing is more frustrating than guessing where a box must go in your new home because you failed to label it. Group like items together and organize them according to the room they will be in at your new location; this will save you valuable time when unloading the truck and filling your new home with your beloved belongings.
3. Call in the recruits
This is a big step, and it requires support from family and friends. Start ahead of time, organizing and packing things ahead of time, and ask family and friends to help you prepare for moving day. You would offer to do the same if they needed help; don’t be afraid to ask for this additional support as a means of reducing your stress when preparing for your move.
4. Hire professional movers to help you do the job
If budget allows, consider hiring professional movers to help you in your cross-country quest. Not only do they have the experience of moving, but they also know how to make your day flow a little smoother. Many professional moving companies in NYC offer additional services such as packing and unpacking boxes, as well as selling professional quality moving materials to protect your belongings. If you can plan to budget this into your moving experience, you will find that this is one of the best ways to reduce your stress before, during and after moving day.
Starting early and implementing simple steps along the way will allow you to streamline the process of moving cross country. Plan ahead, ask friends and family to help support you and enlist the help of professionals to make sure that this transition is as exciting as it can be for you and your family. Best of luck to you in your new location!
