Moving is one of the most stressful life events, next to divorce, job loss, and major illness. Sure, it’s exciting! But it also requires an extraordinary amount of planning and preparation. While it’s nearly impossible to complete a move without a hiccup or two, it’s entirely possible to relieve a good portion of moving day stress. Before moving day is upon you, read through these five tips to ensure your moving day goes as smoothly as possible.
1. Keep your kids and pets busy.
You’ll be significantly less stressed if you don’t have your children and pets running around while you’re trying to move furniture and unpack boxes. Hire a sitter to watch your kids, and ask if they can keep your pets safe, too. If they can’t accomodate you, board your pets at a facility for the day. You’ll feel better knowing they’re safe and happy while you focus on the move.
2. Verify parking.
The last thing you want on moving day is to find yourself without a place to park your moving truck. Many cities will give you a permit to temporarily block off a parking spot in front of your home. If you can’t find a way to do this, talk to your neighbors a few days before the move and formulate a plan, or try to hold a parking spot with your car.
3. Pack an ‘open me first’ box.
This step is vital for your peace of mind and sanity. These supplies will be invaluable right after you complete the move. Pack items such as bedding, towels, toiletries, toilet paper, a few different outfits for each family member, medications, pet bowls/food, and toys for your kids. You also might want to include a few granola bars and snack items, in case someone gets hungry.
4. Stick around.
If you’ve hired professional movers, you should stick around your old house until everything has been moved out. Questions might arise, and you want to be there to provide answers. This will also give you an opportunity to do a final run-through of the house and make sure everything is out of there.
5. Clean.
The job isn’t over when your old house is empty. You still need to thoroughly clean each room. Make sure you have all the cleaning supplies you need – Don’t let the movers load them onto the truck. If the thought of cleaning your old home is overwhelming to you, hire a professional to get the job done.