No one ever said moving was going to be easy. If it was more people would be doing it! When you need to make a major life change such as a big move, it’s essential to be equipped with a moving and storage plan, complete with a comprehensive checklist, in order to help make the shift a success.
Begin by prioritizing your possessions. Determine what things you really need or want to bring with you, what can be put into portable storage containers or self storage and what can be thrown away. If you are moving your family long distance, make sure each family member is included in the moving and storage checklist. Each person’s items are equally important and should be accounted for.
Every family member should contribute items to a “survival box” containing all of your Day One or Week One essentials. This box may include a coffee pot, basic utensils, cellphone chargers, pillows and comfort items and a change of clothes. Another option is to have each member pack a suitcase with their own personal essentials. If you plan to use moving pods or other moving containers be sure to load the survival boxes or luggage in a way that they can be removed easily.
Familiarize yourself with both local and national long distance movers. Determine early on what your options are regarding methods of moving and storage. It will be in your best interest to understand which packing and shipping methods are right for you. Understand the costs involved with various forms of moving and storage, such as choosing the right movers, the services moving companies provide, or conversely, do not provide, and what your plans are for your belongings once you arrive at your new destination.
And remember, timing is everything. To ensure that you will have power after moving to your new location, contact the utility company and have power turned on a day ahead. The same applies when you are leaving. Let your utility company know the day you plan to depart so that power can be be turned off in your old place. Moving doesn’t have to be stressful when you plan it properly. Each step of the move requires thoughtful decisions and actions on the part of the moving person, but it can be done in a way that reduces stress, anxiety and other worries.