Things I Learned When I Moved.
A Journey of Boxes, Chaos, and New Beginnings
Moving. The word alone is a bag of emotions—excitement, anxiety, nostalgia. Whether it's your first time or your twentieth, the process of relocating is always an adventure with its unique set of challenges and rewards. I help people move all of the time, but having recently gone through the experience myself, I wanted to share some of the lessons I learned along the way.
1. Declutter Before You Pack
One of the most valuable lessons I learned is the importance of decluttering. Though I believe I’m more minimalist than maximalist, it’s inevitable that you collect items over the years. Some of which you use regularly and others that sit in the back of a drawer never to be seen again… until now. Moving is the perfect opportunity to look at your belongings and decide what truly matters. I found items I hadn’t used in years, clothes that no longer fit (we’ll blame it on having a baby, not getting older), and random knick-knacks that had lost their sentimental value. Donating, selling, or discarding these items made packing much more manageable and my new space less cluttered from the start. Plus, when you get rid of an item that means one less thing to move! ‘Buy Nothing’ Facebook groups allowed me to give some of those items a new home right there in my community.
2. Start Early and Plan Ahead
Procrastination and moving do not mix well, especially if you have any small children in the picture. Starting the packing and decluttering process early can save a lot of stress. I began by packing non-essential items weeks in advance, which allowed me to focus on the more important and frequently used things closer to the moving date. Dedicate a room, or a corner of the house to the boxes you have already filled We also got lucky – when I were negotiating the purchase of our new home and the sale of our old one, we were able to get one month of overlapping possession. This means that we lived in our old home while having access to the new one allowing us to bring smaller, non-frequently used items over at our own pace. (When working with The Lately Group – we can help negotiate terms like this to help make your move as stress-free as possible).
3. Label Everything
Labels are your best friend during a move. Each box I packed was labeled with its contents and the room it belonged to. This made unpacking much smoother and saved a lot of time rummaging through boxes to find specific items. Tip: if you have multiple children’s rooms or there could be any confusion on which room is which, use painter’s tape to label each room in the hallway! Trust me, nothing is more frustrating than searching for your coffee maker on the first morning in your new home.
4. Hire Professional Movers (If You Can Afford It)
While moving on your own or with the help of friends can be cost-effective, hiring professional movers can save a lot of hassle and physical strain. My husband and I decided we are officially too old to pay our friends in free pizza and beer. Professional movers are experienced in handling fragile and heavy items (I’m thinking about my foosball table that I will never move again), and they can expedite the entire process. If your budget allows, this investment can significantly reduce the stress of moving day. Tip: It’s not necessary, but we provided water, pop and pizza to our movers to make sure they had enough fuel to keep hauling up and down the stairs!
5. Essentials Bag
Pack a bag (or suitcase) of essentials that you'll need a day before and a few days after arriving at your new home. This bag should include items like toiletries, changes of clothes, important documents, basic kitchen supplies, and chargers for your electronics. Be sure to look at your schedule ahead of time to see if there are any events that you may not be thinking of. (I forgot I needed to put together a gift and the tissue paper was packed deep into one of the hidden boxes). Having these necessities on hand will make your first night in your new home much more comfortable and avoid the dumping of packed boxes out of frustration – or is that just me?
6. Utilities and Address Changes
It’s crucial to set up your utilities in advance and ensure they are transferred or activated by your move-in date. When working with The Lately Group to purchase a home, we will provide you a list of all the utility providers that you will need to contract. Similarly, updating your address with the post office, banks, and other important institutions is a step that shouldn’t be overlooked. I made a list of all the places I needed to update my address with, which helped me stay organized and ensure I didn’t miss any. Some of my favorite pieces of mail are holiday cards, so be sure to inform all of your friends and family of your move!
7. Take Care of Yourself
Moving can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Amidst the chaos, it’s easy to neglect your well-being. Remember to take breaks, stay hydrated, and eat properly. I also found it helpful to set aside some time for relaxation, whether that was watching a favorite TV show or taking a short walk. Keeping a balanced mindset helped me stay focused and less overwhelmed.
8. Get to Know Your New Neighborhood
Once you’ve moved, take the time to explore your new neighborhood. Finding the nearest grocery store, pharmacy, and other essential places can help you feel more settled. I also made an effort to meet my new neighbors, which made the transition feel more personal and welcoming.
9. Expect the Unexpected
No matter how well you plan, there will always be unexpected hiccups. From misplaced items to logistical mishaps, moving is full of surprises. Learning to adapt and maintaining a positive attitude can make these challenges more manageable. I found that approaching these obstacles with a sense of humor helped keep my spirits up.
10. Embrace the Change
Finally, moving is a new beginning. As one of my friends told me, I had just bought my son’s “childhood home where all of his memories will be made.” While this broke my heart when I realized he probably won’t remember the home we brought him home to from the hospital, I was so excited because it’s opportunity to create new memories and experiences. Embrace the change and look forward to the possibilities that come with your new home. I am finding joy in setting up each of the new spaces just the way I want and discovering how to add unique charm!
Moving is a journey, not just a physical one, but an emotional one as well. Each move teaches us something new about ourselves and our ability to adapt. By reflecting on these lessons, we hope to make future moves for each of our clients even smoother!
Happy moving!
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