Moving can be a blessing and a curse. Some people love it, others hate it.
There’s no denying that relocating comes along with many moving pieces and logistical situations. But it’s also an essential part of life. A person in the U.S. will move an estimated 11.7 times in their lifetime.
No matter how many times people move, no one seems to get used to it. Let’s face it, moving is a stressful event for everyone. Oftentimes people avoid it or avoid helping others for this exact reason.
Why Is Moving Stressful?
Has moving with your family or helping a friend move made you uncontrollably stressed? It’s not uncommon to feel anxious or annoyed with the process. There’s a lot to do and you’re often stuck with a looming deadline.
All moving stressors can be summed up into these big three:
- Changes in Surroundings, Jobs and More
- Monetary Scarcity While Moving
- Time Constraints
Each of these three by themselves is enough to cause mental anguish, let alone all of them combined. Fear of the unknown and scarcity of resources weigh heavily on everyone and make moving one of the least desirable life events.
9 Ways to Make Moving Less Stressful
Whether you’re moving for a job, school or just a change of scenery, the exhausting process is all the same—and it’s here to stay. However, there are ways to make moving less stressful.
1. Have the Right Attitude
Having the right attitude is everything, especially when doing something tedious. While it won’t change the process itself, it will help when stressful situations of moving inevitably arise.
A good outlook on the situation is to tell yourself how positive the move will be. Remind yourself of all the new things you get to experience, that old friends can easily be contacted and how you’ll settle in eventually.
The right attitude can help this undertaking go by way faster than expected.
2. Acquire Good Packing Supplies
Having the right supplies to get the job done effectively can be a game changer. Without good quality boxes, tape, bubble wrap, etc. you’re at risk of making more work for yourself.
You may have to use more materials than expected or end up with damaged furniture. Either way, you’re wasting more time and money. Get the right-sized boxes, strong packing tape and plenty of moving blankets or bubble wrap to secure your valuables ahead of time.
3. Ask for Help From Others
A helping hand from a friend or family member really speeds things up. They can either help you pack, move, unpack or at least provide useful advice from their point of view. Their support can give you the boost needed to take on a tough move.
4. Label Your Moving Boxes
After you pack up all of your furniture, kitchenware, and other belongings, it’s best to label them. A labeling system helps you quickly figure out what is what and what goes where.
This not only saves you time but also allows you to keep track of everything amidst all the moving pieces.
5. Pack Your Belongings Ahead of Time
Time is one of the big three stressors during a move. One way to help mitigate timing conflicts is to pack your belongings in advance. Start with the items you don’t use as often and pack those first.
This will help on moving day as you have less to pack up right before the move and can focus on other priorities.
Additionally, it’s also a great way to go through items you may not want to bring. You could uncover old trinkets that you may have otherwise chosen to bring with you in the heat of the moment.
6. Focus on One Room At a Time
On top of packing early, another way to reduce stress is to pack one room at a time. Use the same strategy and pack the least used rooms first. This also helps you on moving day and you won’t have to scramble to pack so many rooms at once.
7. Get the Right Storage Unit
When you move, you may end up using a storage unit to hold extra items. Whether that’s to:
- Store items your new place can’t fit
- Hold them closer to your new place temporarily or
- House your belongings in between the moves
Choosing the wrong storage unit can seriously put a damper on your moving process.
You need to think about what your storage needs are and what you are setting aside in order to choose the right storage unit. Here are some characteristics to think about:
- Size
- Time frame
- Location
- Indoor or Outdoor
- Cost
- Temperature
- Accessibility
- Safety
Once you find the right storage unit for your needs, this part of the moving process will be smooth sailing with one less issue to worry about.
8. Organize Your Storage Unit
In addition to picking the right storage unit, you’ll want to think about how to organize it. Much like labeling your moving boxes, packing ahead of time and packing one room at a time, the purpose of this is all about making your life easier.
It’s so much easier to know where your items are located in case you need last-minute access or help plan out your packing process from your storage unit to your new residence. Otherwise, you could end up wasting time and energy sifting through and tripping over your belongings in your storage unit.
9. Use a Moving Truck
Effectively and efficiently transporting your belongings during a move is a major concern. Not every item in your home will fit nicely into your car or the back of a pickup truck—and extra trips are tedious.
Rental vehicles such as U-hauls or box trucks make moving easier. The process is simpler than you think. You’ll cut down on the number of trips you need—reducing downtime, packing stress and saving energy.
Store Your Belongings Stress-Free with Storage Center in Martinsville, VA
Stress is bound to happen during your move—so why not make it easier? Any stress-reducing tips and tricks are a plus.
Storage Center in Martinsville helps those moving in or around the area store their items safely and affordably. You’ll be able to keep your belongings in a storage unit that fits your needs so you can focus on other parts of the moving process.
Need packing supplies or a rental truck? We offer those as well to make the moving process that much easier for you.
Call us today at 276-670-7867 to learn more about our storage options and availability.
