The Sunday Express in the UK conducted research that showed that moving into a new home could be more stressful than divorce or losing a job. For many Canadian homeowners, this is a relatable comparison. So, before you begin gnashing your teeth and snapping at those you love, read these 9 tips that just might have you using “happy” and “move” in the same sentence.
1) Give Yourself a Reasonable Amount of Time
“Wow, I haven’t begun packing, and I am moving in three days” are words that should never be uttered by any human being. How far before moving day should you begin preparing? About eight weeks is the recommended time.
2) Use a Professional Checklist
Even if you are the type of person who “works better under pressure” or likes to point at their head and say, “It’s all up here,” you should use an organized, complete checklist when moving. Why? There are a lot of time-sensitive actions that must be taken. United Van Lines, for example, offers this comprehensive tool.
3) Be a Minimalist
Minimalists are the best. They have clutter-free homes. They do not lug around clothing that hasn’t fit them in, oh, 10 years, and they realize that they do not need 30 coffee mugs. So, begin by getting rid of all of the stuff you don’t need. It may be cool, but if you don’t use it, you don’t need it – and you won’t miss it.
4) Get By With a Little Help From Your Friends
Moving is easier when you have help, and especially if you are moving to a new city, your friends will want to spend some quality time with you before you leave.
Tip: Ask a specific friend to help you with a specific task, like packing up your storage closet, or a small home maintenance project, and then cook some dinner together.
5) Say Goodbye to Your ‘Hood’
When the day comes that you leave your home for good, you want to be emotionally prepared. Make time to say goodbye to one place in your neighbourhood every day during your last month – take a photo of the bench you love to sit on at the park, of the tennis court where you continually lose, or the homes of your friends. You’ll feel more ready to leave if you say goodbye piece-by-piece.
6) Know That Things Will Go Wrong
Moving means that some things will go wrong, and this is OK. If you expect some bumps in the road, you will be able to deal with them when they suddenly appear. Also, prepare for the big things going wrong, like your moving company arriving a day late, by working in some flexibility in your schedule.
7) Double-Check Dates With Everyone Involved
Using email, so that you have printable records, check in with your movers, your electricity company, your Internet provider, and anyone else who has something to do for you on a specific date, to make sure that things happen when they are supposed to.
8) Eat Well
As your moving date approaches, resist eating pizza or other takeout food every night – sure, it is convenient, but when your body is experiencing stress, it wants healthful food prepared naturally.
9) Take Photos of the Backs of Your Appliances
We think that we will remember how to set up our flat screen TVs, PlayStations, and PCs, but most of us will not so snap a photo that shows what cable goes where so that setting them up is much easier in your new home.
With your home maintenance complete, your belongings packed up, and your new home waiting for you to arrive, you can expect a stress-free happy move if you follow these 9 tips.
If you need insurance on your new home, don’t hesitate to contact the experts at aha insurance. We’ll be glad to help ensure you’re informed and your house is covered while you transition into the next chapter of your life.