For many of us, moving can be one of the most stressful times in our lives. It can be tough changing the emotion of stress into enjoyment and excitement of new and fresh beginnings. Here are some tips to make things easier:
(1) Avoid added stress by staying organized and keeping a positive attitude throughout your move. Leaving everything for last minute can be hectic.
(2) De-cluttering before packing saves time and money because you won’t be paying someone else to move or store those items. Schedule de-cluttering time in two hour increments a few months before moving day.
If de-cluttering an entire room all at once seems overwhelming, start with a few small projects, like books and magazines, bathroom toiletries, linen closet, or cluttered drawers instead. Avoid tackling memorabilia first or your efforts might quickly lose steam.
(3) Create a “sorting area.” Make sections for “donations”,” trash” and” keep” items. Ask yourself whether or not you need these items in your new home.
(4) Organize paperwork and important documents, such as passports, birth certificates, and health records,ahead of time. Do not leave these for the last minute.
(5) Give each child a storage bin for old keepsakes.
(6) Start selling non-essential items around three months before moving day. Unused clothing, toys, and equipment can lighten your load and put money in your pocket. Consider donating canned goods to a local church before moving.
(7) When it comes to packing your fragile items, avoid using bubble and plastic wrap. Instead, use newspapers, linens, blankets, and even T-shirts that you were already planning to take. Instead of buying boxes, pack your items in used ones. You can also use your empty suitcases to pack up your personal items.
(8) Use non-toxic natural ingredients like baking soda and vinegar to clean your old home. Wipe walls and windows down with a damp microfiber cloth. Do a quick vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum cleaner.
