Make your next move stress-free

Moving into a new home is both an exciting and a nerve-wracking time. Not only will be you be leaving surroundings that are familiar to you, you’ll be meeting new neighbors and starting a new journey in your life.

The good news is that with proper planning and a good amount of organization, it won’t be hard to reduce some of the stress involved with moving. Let’s start with the basics.

Get Rid of Stuff
Face it, you’ve got way too much stuff. Clutter is stressful. Once you begin to downsize your junk you’ll notice how much easier you’re breathing. Organize your things into three categories: Sell, Donate and Toss. Remember that items you can’t sell could also fall into a “tax deduction” pile. And make sure to throw away things that can’t be donated or recycled. There’s no point in hanging on to useless things that no longer serve a purpose for you.

Don’t Overbook
You know you’re moving, so be sure not to make plans to hit the club or head to the beach for a long weekend. It’s best to keep your calendar clear until the dust settles a bit. If you find you’re running short on time, you may have to request a day off from work or ask for help. Here’s a tip if you do overbook: Invite the friend you double-booked to come help you with the move, you’ll supply dinner and drinks.

Begin a Newspaper and Box Collection
Starting at least a couple months before your big move, start accumulating newspaper, magazines and boxes. It’s good to have a variety of boxes and sizes. After all, you never know what awkward object will need that one particular box! Craigslist often has moving boxes in the ‘Free’ section of the site, or hit up some grocery stores. Costco and Trader Joes are great at giving out boxes.

Most importantly, take some time to plan ahead and get organized. While it may not be possible to avoid every single stressor that comes with moving, it is possible to get through it without losing your cool.