Top Ten ways to Manage the Stress of a Move

Moving, either across town or across the country, is an incredibly stress-full life circumstance.  Pulling up stakes and moving is not only physically demanding but usually involves several emotional factors as well. When in the midst of it all the absolute most important thing to remember is there will be stress, no matter how great an organizer and champion planner you may be....it is inevitable.  Knowing that and accepting that is half the battle.  How one chooses to deal with that stress can help make your move an exciting life change and not a burden. I am probably about average with the amount of times I have moved in my lifetime.  If you count all the moves when I was young and my Dad was transferred, all the moves back and forth during my college days, I have moved approximately 22 times. If you are from a Military family, that number is probably easily doubled. I imagine that every time you move you get more proficient at it, which helps make it less stressful, but nevertheless some pointers can be helpful.  So here is my list of  Top Ten ways to Manage the Stress of a Move.  Much of it from my own experience, and several ideas from a great book I found: "Right Size...Right Now! The 8-Week Plan to organize, Declutter, and Make any Move Stress-Free." by Regina Leeds

STRESS FREE MOVING... TOP TEN TIPS:

1.  Most important item: Self-Care. Be gentle with yourself & remember that things won't get done if you become ill. Take the time to do something special for yourself during all the chaos. The rejuvenating wonder of a mani/pedi is fantastic.
2. When getting your house "Market Ready"- try to view it thru the eyes of the buyer. Look at houses on-line and see how they are "staged". Streamlined is so important and what you perceive as memories is perceived as clutter by others.  Don't take it personally, just look thru the buyers eyes.
3. The Power of the List: jot things down! With all the things to remember when moving and selling property, don't trust your brain to remember everything.  Keep several on-going "to do" lists around the house and be sure to jot things down when you think of them. Nothing is quite so satisfying as checking things OFF the list. Also for long term, keep a list of business's, magazine subscriptions, etc that you need to notify of your new address.
4. Packing Supplies...oodles of them available! Have boxes, bins, packing tape and old newspapers readily available.  You never know when inspiration will hit & you feel like packing at that very moment! The best source for boxes is the grocery store (egg boxes are awesome!) and the liquor store. Plastic store bought bins are best for long term storage of items. If you do contract with a moving company, they almost always will have supplies of boxes and wardrobes available to you.
5.  Pace Yourself. Take it one room or one "project" at a time, if you are looking at the whole house it can easily be overwhelming.
6. Don't forget your local charities.  That old desk may be a God send for someone else. Keep in mind that certain charities are looking only for certain items like clothing and small household goods, whereas others might be seeking used furniture.  So plan to diversify the distribution of your charitable donations. And of course, be sure to save those receipts for tax time (oh, ugh...it comes around every year.)
7. Moving Company quotes.  Even though you may not have a closing/moving date, don't hesitate to get several quotes from moving companies ahead of time. Generally they will hold that quote for up to 6 months depending on the time of year: "prime" moving time or not.
8. Listen to the wisdom of your realtor: they know the ins and outs of negotiations and can look at the house without the emotional bias. If you are selling your home yourself without a realtor, then listen to the wisdom of those who have done it themselves. I, myself, heartily recommend a realtor....in addition to marketing and selling your home, they know all the legal requirements to help you sail thru closing without losing your sanity.
9. Keep a Routine. With all the craziness of your life during this transition time, try to keep at least a few things as part of a routine. Include everyday tasks, hobbies or routines that you can squeeze in to your day just for a little peace of mind. A brisk walk around the block can really clear the mind.  For me, it is my writing...so here I am at the keyboard.
10. Remember that wherever you end up, a house is just a building...it is the people and experiences within those walls that make it a home.

 So this is "Part 2" on the stress of moving.  As of this writing, we are still in the process of selling and moving.  Initially I thought this would not be written and published until the entire process is complete.  Yet, I have learned so much on this journey I felt compelled to write about it now.  Who knows..perhaps a third installment will be forth coming. Dear Readers out there, wish our family luck as we move forward to new adventures on our move....whenever that may be. Time will tell.