Why Moving House Is One of Life’s Biggest Changes and How to Make It Easier on Yourself
House moving is commonly cited as a ‘practical’ job. Pack up boxes, arrange for transportation, update your address and move in to a new home. But in truth it’s so much more.
A move can impact nearly every aspect of your life. Your routine changes. Your surroundings change. The smallest of details like the morning coffee or an evening stroll can at times seem foreign. Moving from one suburb to another, even within the city limits or to a completely new suburb, can be both exciting and uncertain, and for many, a bit stressful.
Fortunately, moving does not need to be stressful. It can be a much streamlined process with proper implementation.
There are several reasons why the experience of moving is so stressful.
There is a level of change in most of the major life events, and moving house isn’t an exception. The amount of mental energy involved in moving is often not realized.
Daily decisions to be made are practical decisions. Which box should be packed first? What’s to be donated or sold? Have the utility companies been contacted? Are all your belongings packed for moving?
There can be an emotional aspect to leaving a familiar home at the same time. Families could be leaving neighbours with whom they’ve lived for years. Children may be moving to other schools. It’s ok to experience a variety of emotions even if the move is a positive one.
One of the reasons that moving regularly is one of the more challenging experiences in life is because of this mix of emotional adjustments and physical work.
Begin planning ahead of what you think you’ll need.
Packing an entire home, always takes longer than it is supposed to. The seemingly innocent wardrobe can become hours of sorting, folding and boxing. This is the same for garages, storage cupboards and spare rooms that have been built up over years.
Creating a moving checklist can help keep everything organised. You feel like you’re doing a lot less work when you’re splitting up a big job into smaller jobs.
A basic timeline could consist of:
Donating or selling unwanted items several weeks prior to move
Collecting packing materials early on.
Organising utility transfers
Notifying banks, insurers and government agencies about changes in address.
Confirming the arrangements for moving day.
Finishing small tasks in advance will eliminate last minute panic.
When you’re packing up your house for a move, it’s a great time to take stock.
Households frequently move boxes from one house to another without opening them. When something has not been used for a long time, it might be a good idea to consider if it has a current function.
Minimizing packing time and reducing transport costs by selling, donating or recycling unwanted items. It will also make it easier to de-pack once you have moved in to your new home.
It is usually better to take a lighter approach, which will result in a cleaner and more organised start.
Ensure your most valuable items are kept safe.
Items are not created equal. Other items have monetary worth, others have memories that money can’t buy.
During packing, special care shall be taken of the photographs, family heirlooms, important documents and delicate items. Damage can be prevented through the use of protective wrapping, clear labelling and strong boxes.
It’s also a great idea for many to have a smaller bag that contains their essentials with them when they move. Medications, chargers, important documents, toiletries and a change of clothes.
These are essentials that should be within easy reach for your first night in a new home.
Don’t do everything by yourself.
Some choose to do it themselves, while others may find it best to use professional help when relocating.
Shaky floors, steep stairs and narrow doorways can turn out to be trouble. Professional movers know how to deal with such a situation safely and efficiently.
They also know how to load vehicles properly to minimise any risk of damage in transit.
When moving within Sydney, the Northern Beach’s experienced removalists are a great choice as they know the roads, parking, and the practicalities that can be involved in a move. Local knowledge is valuable time-saving and prevents needless complications.
Emphasize the first few days after the move.
There are a lot of people who focus on the moving day so much they forget about the next.
The first couple of days in a new house can make the difference for the next couple of weeks. Don’t try to tackle everything on the same day, unpack the rooms that are used the most first.
Typically the kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms should be given first priority. After these areas are working, the rest of the house can be organised gradually.
It can be nice to take time to explore the local neighbourhood to make it feel familiar too. It’s easier to make a new place feel like home when there are nearby shops, parks, schools and services.
Take time to adapt.
Settling into a new home doesn’t happen overnight.
In the best of circumstances it can take weeks or months to become completely at ease in a new surroundings. That’s perfectly normal.
Creating routines, meeting neighbours and making your living space your own are among the ways to foster a sense of belonging. With each passing day, the strange turns to the familiar, and day-to-day routines take to their normal way.
While moving house can be one of your greatest changes in life, it can also be the start of a new chapter. If planned and realistic expectations are put in place, with the right support the process becomes much more manageable.
About Posch & Silva
Posch & Silva is a moving company in Sydney that you can trust for home and/or business moving. Their professional staff can help you with the planning, packing and moving process for your region including the Northern Beaches with care and ease, making your move a smoother, less stressful experience. For more information about their services, check out removalists in the Northern Beaches area page.
