We’ll go ahead and state the obvious: moving to a new home is stressful. In fact, in one recent survey 45% of respondents said that “moving was one of the most stressful things they’ve ever experienced.”
There is so much to manage no matter the size or distance of your move: coordinating with movers, packing, cleaning, updating accounts, and everything in between. Whew, it’s enough to make your head spin!
what to do before you move
The good news is there are a few things you can do before you move to make the whole process a little more organized and a lot less stressful (and even save you time and money).
1. Purge what you don’t need
If you do nothing else, do this. Make an effort to declutter and purge before you move. Don’t waste time or money packing and unpacking the stuff you no longer want or need! If you’re pressed for time, prioritize your closet, kitchen, or your garage or storage space, which are more likely to be full of things you haven’t seen or used in a while.
2. Avoid shopping
Give your credit cards a break for 6 to 8 weeks before you move and don’t buy any non-essential items. More stuff = more to pack, more time, more money, more stress! This includes groceries, too; don’t fill your pantry to the brim if you can help it. Try to finish the food you have and only buy what you need so there’s less to take with you. Look forward to a big grocery store run to fill your new pantry instead!
3. Pack non-essentials ahead of time
If you’re doing the packing yourself, start as early as you can with belongings you don’t really use in your daily life, such as décor, extra linens, and off-season clothing. Be sure to label your boxes clearly, and store them in a spare room or closet for the time being. Doing this will prevent the overwhelm of last-minute packing and help you stay a little calmer.
4. Put together overnight bags
The first night in a new home is always a bit disorienting. Everything is still in boxes, nothing feels quite settled, and everyone is exhausted. It helps if every family member has an overnight bag with essential toiletries, medications, pajamas, a couple of clean outfits, and maybe some favorite books or activities for the kids. This way you’re not rummaging through boxes for clean underwear – you’ve got everything you need for a night or two!
5. Book professional organizers to unpack for you
Most people focus all their energy on moving from their old home, but not as much on what happens once they’re in their NEW home. We regularly hear from clients who moved into a space months or years ago and just never fully unpacked or set it up properly.
And we get it: unpacking and organizing a new home take a lot of time and energy that many people just don’t have! But not organizing your home soon after you move in leads to more disorganization and clutter down the road.
So, do Future You a favor and book professional organizers to unpack for you. Even just focusing on high priority spaces like your kitchen, pantry, or closet can make a huge difference in how your home functions, and it will save you a ton of stress in the meantime!