Moving house is considered one of the top five most stressful life experiences we go through, but why should an experience like this cause us sleepless nights and our blood pressure to rise?
The majority of this stress is caused by not leaving enough time to complete a task. We live extremely busy lives and finding the time to complete tasks, make phone calls, chase solicitors and fill out forms can seem impossible.
One of the obvious, and often most daunting tasks of moving house is the actual packing process. Whether you live in a small 2-bed flat or a large 4 bedroom house, it is amazing the number of possessions we can obtain over time, A task which may start off as quite a simple job to do can very quickly escalate into a mammoth one.
This is why many movers consider hiring a professional packing and removal company.
A removal company will come into your house, pack your possessions and transport your goods to your new property, all within a day or two. Often a much quicker process than doing it yourself. If you opt for an unpacking service too, this means you won’t be surrounded by boxes for weeks after you move in.
Getting a professional removal company in to do this task then frees up your time for all the other things that need to be done during this busy period.
Whether you choose to pack yourself or call in the professionals, your stress levels will no doubt still increase as moving day draws closer.
So here are our tips for reducing this stress:
Don’t underestimate the amount of time a task will take.
Most people are generally bad at estimating how long a task will actually take, and so the majority of the stress that comes when moving is caused by not leaving enough time to complete each task. To overcome this, write down all the things you need to do – you try to break each task into smaller ones and try to estimate the time it will take to complete these smaller chunks.
For instance, estimate and schedule specific timescales for decluttering, packing, and contacting utility companies.
Get yourself organised
Make a list of all the tasks that need to be completed up until your move. Once you have a clear idea of what needs to be done, you’ll be able to organise your time more efficiently.
Writing things down will also help to free up your mental space and reduce any anxiety you may have about forgetting important tasks.
Downloading our free Moving House Checklist is a good starting point. We have divided many of the tasks into a handy timeframe of when these tasks can be done before your move date.
Declutter
Decluttering is a great exercise for reducing stress. Not only are you freeing up mental and physical space, but it will also help to prepare you emotionally for leaving your old home.
Take each room at a time and decided on what items you want to take with you.
Ask yourself these questions:
Do you love it?
Do you need it?
Is it purposeful?
Something that might have felt purposeful in your old home, may not be needed in your new one. Make piles of items to be recycled, donated, and, if you have time, sold.
Plan to move any items that are for recycling or donating out of your home quickly, to reduce the urge to change your mind
Familiarise yourself with your new area
It can feel daunting moving to a completely new area, and not knowing where things are. If you are moving somewhere close to your current home, try to visit the area and familiarise yourself with it. Visit local parks or shops and try out your new routes to school or work. Having an idea of where your local shop or pub is will help you feel less of a stranger in your new home.
If the distance is an issue, use the internet to research where you’d go shopping and use Google Maps to familiarise yourself with the area.
Group items together as you pack
Think ahead to your first night, your first meal, your first bathtime, and so forth, and group similar items together, as this will make it easier when you come to unpack.
For instance, if you pack your towels with your bath mat and bubble bath, you can be sure to enjoy a relaxing bath on your first night, or by planning your first meal, you can ensure you have all the correct equipment needed and aren’t hunting the boxes for a vegetable peeler or frying pan!
Aim for Small Goals
Moving house is a big event, and you may be feeling extra emotional about saying your goodbyes or you may begin to feel that your new home isn’t quite how you pictured it. These feelings may fool you into thinking you have made a mistake, or that things will go wrong.
This is why it is important to set yourself small goals to give you a sense of control over the situation, and understand that feeling stressed, upset, or uncomfortable are all normal emotions to go through when packing up and moving into a new house.
Book a Packing Service with your removals
Packing is likely to be the most time-consuming task of them all when it comes to moving, which is why we suggest getting a Home Removal Survey from a selection of your chosen removal companies.
A surveyor will visit your home and assess the items you want to move. There are various services that can be added to your removal, including a full or partial packing service. Some customers like to pack just their precious items or the areas they have gone through whilst decluttering, and leave the remainder of the packing to the professional.
A removal company like Casey’s Removals, will also dismantle and rebuild your furniture, and assess whether access issues or awkward furniture will need specialist equipment, like their furniture hoist, to move.
It is unlikely that you will avoid stress completely when you move house, so when it happens try to remember that it will pass. Set small goals when decluttering and packing, and remember the positive reasons as to why you are moving in the first place. Then hopefully, by following these tips you will avoid all unnecessary stresses.
If you would like to arrange a Free Home Removal Survey with Casey’s Removals, then do get in touch.
Click To Call For Free Quote 020 8659 6677