Moving house can be stressful for the entire family, but there are ways to reduce the stress. Changing your home is considered one of life’s most daunting tasks. The transition can be stressful even if it’s an exciting one. Boxes to pack, paperwork to organise, and a long list of tasks that seem to grow ever day. For families, there’s another dimension. The transition can impact children, pets and daily routines.
The positive side of the equation is that a smoother move is typically a simple matter of preparation. There are some practical things that can make it easier for everyone involved and that can alleviate some of the pressure that may accompany moving.
Plan Now, Ahead of Time
You’ve probably got one of the main reasons for stress when moving, and that’s unloading things the final minute. More time goes into packing a full house than many people realize, particularly if you have a busy schedule at work and school and with your family.
It can be helpful to keep everything in check by creating a moving timeline. First, write down the big chores that must be done before moving day. This can involve informing utilities, changing addresses, arranging for items to be moved, and clearing out items.
Dividing these jobs into smaller, bite-sized weekly assignments makes them less daunting.
Declutter Before Packing
When you’re moving, it’s a great time to take stock of what you really have and what you really require. Over the years, many homes collect things that remain in storage, in cupboards, wardrobes and other places.
It simply adds to the time, effort and cost of the move by just packing and moving items that are no longer needed. When moving into boxes, think about whether they are worth moving to your new home.
Some things that are not used anymore, like old toys or duplicate kitchen items or unwanted furniture can be donated, sold, or recycled. Less load means less of a burden when it comes to packing, relocating boxes and unpacking them.
Keep Children Involved
Children can feel confused about moving, especially when they are leaving their familiar environments, schools, or friends. As adults, you may be more concerned with the moving logistics; children are more likely to be concerned with the emotional aspects of the moving process.
It can be reassuring to discuss the transition openly, as this can help alleviate worries. Tell the family what is happening and why they are relocating and what to expect during the upcoming weeks.
An attitude of giving children responsibility for small jobs can also make them feel included. They may pack their own toys, decorate moving boxes, or make a list of their bedroom. Children may be more comfortable with the change if they feel involved.
Create an Essentials Box
First day at a new house can be hectic! No one wants to spend the night after a long moving day sifting through a dozen boxes to find a phone charger, clean clothes or other basic toiletries.
An essentials box can save a lot of aggravation. Include items family will need in the first 24 – 48 hours such as:
- Medications
- Toiletries
- Chargers
- Important documents
- Basic kitchen supplies
- A change of clothes
- Children’s favourite toys or comfort items
Ensuring that these elements are readily available can help make the first night more comfortable.
Keep to regular daily routines as far as possible.
Routines offer a sense of stability in times of change. Of course, it is never easy to move, but it helps to go through the motions of your everyday life to minimize stress, particularly for children.
Routine with meals, bedtime and family routines can help to keep them feeling secure while you are moving.
When it’s so busy and the surroundings are unfamiliar, one daily routine can make a big difference!
Label Everything Clearly
Clear labelling is a simple thing to do, but not always done. The word kitchen or bedroom on a box might not be sufficient detail when you move in.
Rather, label boxes with a description of the contents, along with the room. An example of this could be “Kitchen – Plates and Glasses” or “Master Bedroom – Winter Clothing.
This little step can help save hours in the process of unpacking, and make it easier for movers to put boxes in the right rooms.
Don’t Try to Do Everything Yourself
A lot of people think that if they do all of the things in their own move it won’t cost them as much. But in fact, it can cause more stress and can exhaust a person physically.
Time, skill, and appropriate equipment are needed for heavy furniture, fragile items and logistics for transporting items. Help is available to make it much more efficient and to relieve the pressure on the whole family.
Having professional movers will also enable homeowners to settle into their new home without worrying about all the details of the move.
Focus on Settling In, Not Perfection
Many families face pressure to have everything unpacked and organised ASAP. When you’re trying to transform your new house into a dream home, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
Focus on the most significant rooms first, like bedrooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen. The rest of the boxes can be opened over the next few days and weeks.
Be aware that it takes time to settle in to a new home. People adjust to a slower approach better and it may feel less stressful.
Making Your Next Move Easier
The process of moving is not a matter of escaping all the obstacles. It’s all about being well-prepared, organised and making thoughtful decisions throughout. Planning ahead, bringing the whole family on board and concentrating on what is important can make moving house a much more positive experience.
If you’re considering a move within South East Queensland, Posch & Silva’s Gold Coast removalists team will give you professional help to make your move easier and less stressful. They have experience in moving homes of all sizes and ensure that families have a peace of mind and make a move with ease.
