Moving home can be a stressful time. Not only is there financial admin, legal contracts, and negotiations to make, but there is also a lot of upheaval, manual labour, and emotional factors to add into the equation too.
Luckily, there are ways to make your house move run smoother. With a little prep work, and some help from your support network, you should be able to move house while keeping your mental health at its optimum level. Below are our tips on how to keep calm while moving house. And, remember that our Peter Ward Homes team are always here to try and make your house move as smooth and enjoyable as possible. We’re just a phone call away.
1. Make lists
We all love a list, don’t we? Writing things down, either on paper or electronically, is a perfect way to feel that you have things under control. Keep a pen and paper next to your bed because important thoughts always come to us in the middle of the night. Once they are written down you can then put them out of your mind and drift back to sleep with ease.
2. Start prepping early
We all want to avoid that frantic last day before moving house – the one when you start frantically tipping the contents of drawers into boxes including all the things that you really don’t need to be taking with you to your next home. If you are wondering how to make moving house less stressful, then start sorting through your things early. Getting rid of old things can feel brilliantly cathartic and the thought of starting life in a new home with only the things that you either love or need can genuinely lift the spirits. Be ruthless, getting rid of things that you haven’t used in years, and recycle, or sell as much as you can to make space for life’s next adventure.
3. Label your boxes
Make sure that you write on the side of each box which room in your new house that you would like it to be put in, and what is inside it (not everything, but enough so you’re not left wondering). Pack strategically too. Some things you will need within the first few days – plates, mugs, toiletries, some clothes, and shoes for example – so try to put those necessary items together. Other things can wait for a while.
4. Pack a moving day bag
This should be easily accessible and contain all your daily essentials, as well as a couple of items that you know will make you feel happy and calm. Tea bags, sugar, milk, mugs, and a kettle will all have to be in there, along with a phone charger and any necessary paperwork. A packed lunch is also a good idea, because unloading always takes longer than you think. You could also include something to play music on (calm vibes only), your yoga mat or your running trainers – just so they are handy for when you need to take a break and clear your head.
5. Call in some support
We all need help when moving house, even if it’s just a little hand holding. Having friends or family around can help to make a new house feel more familiar and comfortable, especially on the first evening. Just knowing people are on hand if you need can also help to calm any stresses. This is especially important if you have small children or pets to consider. Having a family member taking care of your loved ones while you make important decisions or carry out logistical tasks can be one of the biggest helps you can get while moving.
For more advice about moving house and to browse our beautiful new homes in Yorkshire take a look at our Home Page.