Whether you’re excited or not, moving house is always going to be a stressful thing. You’re not packing a few things for a two-week holiday; you’re packing your entire life into boxes, and that’s a peculiar thought. Of course, no matter how reserved or excitable you may feel by now, I think you know you’ll feel much better once you’re actually in your new home. It’s just the fear of getting everything together in order to move house; that’s the thing which is most likely panicking you.
First of all, take a deep breath. Whether you’re moving house next week, next month or tomorrow (you’ve left it a little late, but there’s still time…), there are simple ways to approach the task of preparing emotionally and practically for this big step in your life. If you’re unsure as to where you should begin, of course, in terms of packing and what you should do when you actually arrive in your new home, here are some helpful pointers.
Try to make the “packing” element of moving as stress-free as possible.
Maybe you’re rolling your eyes right now, because this seems like a slightly obvious suggestion, but that doesn’t mean you’re necessarily following it. That’s understandable, because you’ve got a million and one things on your mind whilst you uproot your life and move it elsewhere, so you’re bound to be forgettable or overlook trivial things which might prove more important later down the line.
For example, you might be rushing to pack every last thing into every last box available, because you feel as if that’s the key to getting everything done and dusted, so that you can relax. However, have you thought about moving day itself? You might want to unpack or avoid packing a few necessities, such as toiletries, so that you’re prepared with any basic, daily amenities whilst you’re on the road and your entire home is in boxes. The last thing you want on a busy, long, hectic day such as this is a greasy face or unclean teeth.
Clean, clean, clean.
The most exciting thing about moving somewhere new is that you have the chance to start all over again. On an even more wonderful level, you have the chance to do things better this time around. Cleaning your house from top to bottom, and paying particular attention to the carpets, which you might want to steam clean, is the first step.
Move your furniture in after you’ve done this, and then that’s a worry with which you don’t have to concern yourself for a long time. You won’t have to worry about rearranging everything after a few weeks, when you realise your “new home” wasn’t quite as clean or sparkling as you hoped. Get it done now, and you’ll thank yourself later. It’s all about removing any potential worries before they have the chance to form. You want to be moving in with a fresh, clear, excited brain.
Add as many creature comforts as possible.
Moving into a new house is a bizarre experience. At first, no matter how swish and sleek your modern home may be, it may be hard to get the image of your old house out of your mind. It’s hard to see your new place as your new home. In my opinion, the best way to change your mindset is to start adding little pieces of your personalities and warm, cozy, creature comforts to the house in order to really cement the idea in your brain that this is your new home. To do so, you need to say goodbye to some old relics and hello to new homely accessories.
A creature comfort is something that should be comfortable all year round. You want your home to be cozy because it’s your home, and not simply because it’s warm or the furnishings are pretty and clean. For example, you might consider a down comforter for summer, so that your bed is comfortably warm even at the heights of the sunny season. It’s all about your tastes, at the end of the day. Think about the things which made your last home cozy, which you’ve most likely brought with you, but don’t be hesitant to invest in new things and strive to create a new home; one which isn’t just a cheap imitation of your last one.
Take advantage of all the free hospitality coming your way.
Most of us only move house a couple of times in our lives, so it’s important that you make the most of this wonderful occasion. Accept the hospitality of your new neighbours or old friends in the most guilt-free manner possible, even if that means allowing them to bring pizza or other gifts to your “housewarming party”. By “housewarming party”, of course, you mean, “please buy things for us”.
