Moving – that word tends to evoke many emotions. Usually, excitement is met with stress and mixed with worries about the unknown. It can be hard to navigate something you’ve never done before.
Whether journeying to university dorms or renting your first apartment, try to focus on the exciting part. Let that be your guiding emotion and make a plan ahead of time to help mitigate the nerves and anxiety.
We’ll help you make that plan with these dos and don’ts of moving. We hope that your first move will go off without a hitch, and that you’ll efficiently tackle any mishaps that arrive.
Let’s start with five things you SHOULD do.
DO Prepare Yourself for the Stress
Tackling difficult situations in life often comes down to our mindset. Setting expectations ahead of time can make a move more manageable. Prepare mentally to deal with some stress because moving is inevitably stressful. A first move can be even more stressful since you have no idea what to expect. The transition, stepping outside your comfort zone, and facing a new set of responsibilities can get your mind spiraling down a tunnel of worries.
Take a deep breath; we’ve all been there and survived it. Accept that stress is part of the process, and try to practice some stress-reducing exercises such as deep breaths, positive self-talk, eating healthy, and meditation. Take care of yourself throughout the moving process, so you’re at your best to take on the stress.
DO Some Calculations
You’ll thank yourself later if you do the math and figure out approximately how many moving supplies you’ll need. This will save time and prevent running back and forth to the store. Unpackage items only as needed and keep all your receipts so that you can take back anything you didn’t use. Here are some things you’ll need:
- Boxes in different sizes
- Packing Paper
- Packing Table
- Lots of Plastic Wrap
- Markers for Labeling
DO Declutter and Organize
Packing up all your belongings can be overwhelming, and you may be tempted to grab everything and throw it in boxes, so you don’t have to deal with it anymore. If you do this, you’re missing a significant opportunity to declutter and organize, two things that will feel so good and appreciated once you’re in your new place.
Take time ahead of your move to sort things into piles for donating, selling, recycling and trash. You won’t miss it if you haven’t used it within the last year! The more you move, the more you’ll realize that the minimalist mindset feels good. If you don’t use it, toss it.
DO Ask For Help
Recruit your family and friends as moving helpers, especially those who are not strangers to the moving process. A mom, dad, or older sibling can take charge and give out assignments to create an efficient and well-organized move. Every little bit helps, and you shouldn’t have to do it alone. Jobs you can assign people to include:
- Assembling boxes
- Sorting through your closet
- Taking trash out
- Dropping donations off
- Packing
- Heavy Lifting
Make sure to show appreciation to those who took time out of their days to help you, and keep those friends close, because they are keepers! Consider ordering a pizza for everyone or grabbing popsicles and lemonade if you’re moving in the heat of summer.
DO Pack an Overnight Bag
Packing an overnight bag of essentials is often overlooked, but it is crucial. Who knows how mixed up all your boxes will get as people load them in the moving truck? Plus, plans often change, and you may wind up getting to your new place so late that your group decides to unpack in the morning.
These are only two of the many reasons why you must pack an essentials bag. Use a box, suitcase, or duffle bag to put aside items you’ll need before, during, and right after the move. Include your toiletries, a few outfits, electronics and chargers, any essential documents and meds, toilet paper, and paper towels. Then keep your overnight bag with you so it’s nearby when you need access. This will prevent stressfully digging through boxes and trying to find things you need right away.
What SHOULDN’T you do?
DON’T Wait Till The Last Minute
If you’re a natural-born procrastinator, then this one’s for you. Try your hardest to force yourself to start tasks in advance. Since this is your first move, you might underestimate how much work you have to do. Make lots of checklists and stick to them.
We all have countless items that are out of sight and out of mind until it’s time to pack, and we’re hit with the realization that we have ten times the stuff we thought. It’s wise to leave yourself wiggle room, and even if it seems too early to start packing, start a few small tasks a day so you aren’t left with a laundry list of jobs at the last minute.
DON’T Forget to Label
Labeling may seem like an extra step you want to skip, but you’ll regret that decision later. Labeling will make your life much easier when it comes time to unpack. It will allow you to put boxes in the general location of where the items go when you arrive. You can be as specific or vague when it comes to the labels, but having at least a general idea will make all the difference. We also recommend labeling boxes whose contents are fragile and require extra care. This will help prevent any broken items.
DON’T Stuff Boxes Too Full
There’s an art to packing, and if you’re a Tetris champ, then you’ll be well-prepared to arrange your items in their boxes. Try not to overstuff your boxes.
- They may become too heavy to carry, and
- They may wear the box so much that everything falls through the bottom.
When packing heavy items, put them in designated, sturdy boxes alone instead of combining too much stuff. Make sure to add plenty of padding to breakable items and leave room around them in the box. Next, fill the gaps with crumbled-up packing paper, bubble wrap, or packing peanuts, so your stuff doesn’t shift around.
DON’T Skimp on Sleep the Night Before Your Move
Planning way in advance is crucial, so you don’t stay up all night the night before your move packing or cleaning. You must get a good night’s rest the night before moving day. Even if you’re well-rested, it will be an exhausting day, so do yourself a favor and get those z’s. The lifting, moving, and driving will be miserable if you’re drowsy.
If you still have things to get done the night before your move, it will be better to get to bed early and wake up early to tackle the last steps.
DON’T Forget to Get Your Keys
Make sure to communicate with your new landlord about how and when you can retrieve your keys. In the thick of moving, a simple task like this may slip your mind until you arrive at your new place and the door is locked. If a property management company owns your new home, ensure you know the office hours and procedures to get your keys. Most offices are closed on weekends, so plan accordingly.
Your first move? How exciting! Follow our list of dos and don’ts and channel your excitement into energy to help you get through your move. Will there be some stress? Yes. But if you plan correctly, start ahead, and follow our dos and don’ts, you’ll be fine. And if you’re planning on using a moving company in Utah, we’d love to give you a hand!