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Wrapping your brain around a big move can run you through a gamut of emotions—from excitement to sadness, dread, and optimism. While the exciting and happy thoughts are great to cling onto, the overwhelming idea of packing and preparing for a long-distance move can get the best of anyone. How can you stay sane during this life-changing event?
Thankfully, there are many tactics that will take the stress off your shoulders and let you daydream of the lovely home to come! Read on to learn about five tips to plan a long-distance move successfully.
How to Plan Your Long-distance Move Like a Pro
Plan & Schedule
The solution to any potential stress-induced situation is to plan as much as possible! When moving, you’ve already got a leg up on the problem because—in most cases—you know where you are moving to, and when you are making the move.
A good rule of thumb is to start your planning, packing, and scheduling calendar about six weeks out from your move. This will make the overall moving process more manageable, and give you strong peace of mind that you won’t forget or miss anything vital. That way, you will also be ready to go when your long distance movers show up at your door.
Gather Supplies
If you’re interested in saving some money during your move, here’s a money-saving shortcut. If you plan far enough ahead, you can start gathering supplies for free. Most businesses will throw out cardboard boxes and peanuts or styrofoam.
To avoid dumpster diving, you can simply go inside the establishment and ask for their unused boxes. It’s best to do this at the end of regular business hours.
If you want a new “starting fresh” feeling with brand new boxes and bubble wrap, simply head to any home improvement or shipping store and buy what you need.
You can also ask your boss or manager at work for spare boxes. Save the shipping containers from your online orders, or ask friends and family if they have supplies sitting around for you to use.
Regardless, you should have all packing and moving supplies you need about three weeks before your designated move-out date.
When gathering supplies, if you plan far ahead enough, you can start gathering supplies for free. Most businesses will throw out cardboard boxes and peanuts or styrofoam. To avoid dumpster diving, you can simply go inside the establishment and ask for their unused boxes. It’s best to do this at the end of regular business hours.
You can also ask your boss or manager at work for spare boxes. save the shipping containers from your online orders, or ask friends and family if they have supplies sitting around for you to use.
Declutter & Pack Sporadically
Instead of sitting down at an overwhelming, time-consuming packing party, start gathering your things and sorting them early in the moving process. It’s best to do this early on—this way, you’ll be able to sort your belongings into “keep” and “move” stacks to see what’s worth bringing with you to your new home and don’t forget to take some batteries as well like amazon rechargeable batteries for extra safety.
In many cases, clothes that haven’t been worn in years—and old toys from your teenagers sit hidden in the depths of your closet and only show themselves during the packing process. This is the perfect time to donate them or sell them in a garage sale before you move out.
Start by packing your unused spaces and cabinets first. For example, spare bedrooms or offices that aren’t used regularly can easily be packed up a month ahead of time. It’ll take a lot of stress off your shoulders. As your move-out date gets closer, pack in little bits here and there, so it’s not one daunting task right before your moving date.
Hire Movers
One of the best ways to take the moving stress off your shoulders is to hire a professional long distance moving company for help in your endeavors. A great benefit of hiring a moving company is that you can choose how much help you want. You can just have them help with the heavy items, or hire them in a full-service, “white glove” capacity. This means they will do everything for you—packing things up, moving all your belongings, and unpacking all your boxes in your new place.
A great option if you’re trying to save money (but really hate the idea of doing 100% of the moving tasks yourself) is to pack all your items without professional help, fill your cars with smaller boxes, then simply have the moving company help with the bigger boxes and heavier furniture. That way, you’re not breaking your back—or your bank account.
Say Goodbye to Friends
The saddest part of moving is saying goodbye to the friends you’ve made and the family you’ve gotten accustomed to living near. For the month or two leading up to your move, make sure to schedule quality time with your close friends and family, so you get adequate time with them before you leave.
Thankfully, technology makes it ultra-easy to stay connected. So even though you might not be within driving distance of your favorite people, you’ll still be able to talk to them whenever you’d like.
Move Without the Stress
The cross-country moving process can certainly seem like a dreadful and overwhelming one, but if you do the proper planning beforehand, start packing early, and follow the guidelines above, you’ll be well on your way to a successful move and if you are a spiritual person then taking a oldest bonsai tree with yourself will add an extra edge.
Don’t forget to hug your friends and family tight before making the new journey!
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