5 Things You Do Not Want to Be Doing on Moving Day
Moving home is one of those things you'll often hear people complain about, and there are some very good reasons it's so notoriously stressful.
There's so much to organise, and then there are all the practical tasks you need to complete. Throw in the emotional aspect of packing up your life to move it elsewhere, and you have a recipe for serious stress.
If the thought of moving has got you down, you can minimise the stress, even if you can't eliminate it completely. A good start is to make sure you're not doing any of the following things on your moving day.
Packing
Some people hate packing; others quite enjoy the process of organising and storing their belongings. Even if you're in the latter camp, you'll soon get sick of it if you're still packing on the day you're supposed to move.
Start early, stay organised and work methodically to get it all finished at least a day before, preferably longer. It's also a good idea to move large furniture items into a room near the front door, if possible. You'll be glad you did when the removal van arrives.
Looking for something you need
Although most of your things are safe to pack away temporarily, you'll probably need things like mobile phones, toiletries and important documents somewhere you can access them easily. Keep them well separate from everything else, and keep track of where they are at all times.
Similarly, anything you'll need to unpack first when you get to your new home should be kept in a box together and marked clearly so you don't have to go hunting for it when you're in a rush.
Running around after kids and pets
Children can be a huge hindrance when you're trying to move house, and it's hard to keep them busy and out of the way. It may be a good idea to have someone look after them for you until later in the day.
Pets should definitely be kept out of the house while you're moving, especially if you have cats or dogs. Get someone to mind them so you know they're safely elsewhere.
Struggling to lift items
As you fill boxes, test the weight to make sure they're not too heavy and stop filling them when they get close. Even if you have removalists helping you, there could be a limit on the weight they're allowed to lift.
If you have any furniture that can be dismantled, do so in advance so it's easier to carry and nobody strains themselves trying to carry something too heavy.
Running out of time to unpack
There's nothing worse than struggling to unpack your things as the sun goes down after a long, tiring day.
Start moving as early as you can and keep to a tight schedule so you don't have to leave everything in a mess when you go to bed in your new home.
Talk to your removalists for more tips and guidance.
