*Collaborative Post

Congratulations on your decision to press “restart” and move to a new home! Perhaps you live in Florida, the sunshine haven, which, although full of life, has a few setbacks—the high cost of living, the irritating bugs, inadequate public transport, and the crazy heat. You know how it is. And if you’re based in West Palm Beach, the high crime rate can make anyone feel unsure of staying put here.

However, before settling in a new location, dealing with the move itself can be challenging.

Let us warn you; moving is a stressful process. It’s not just a stack of cartons and a few furniture items. It’s an entire chapter of your life you are packing into boxes. You need a plan. And that’s what we are here for.

In this article, we will look at practical ways to make moving less stressful. Keep scrolling.

Hire Trusted and Reliable Movers

Look around—yes, all of it needs to be wrapped, packed, labeled, and organized. Now imagine having to do that all by yourself! Sure, you can rope in friends and family to help. But why put them through such a taxing chore? What if they bail out on you?

Enter professional moving companies—they will pack, load, and transport all your belongings.

In essence, they’ll take the stress off your shoulders. But you can’t work with just anyone. You must look for a long-distance moving company in West Palm Beach with a good reputation and enough experience. Read reviews before signing up for anything.

Only Take What You Need

We all have hoarders hiding somewhere inside us. We sometimes tend to overpack, from bespoke wall art to the extra television set. Do you know what that does? It bumps up your moving expenses. Worse, you’ll be carrying your clutter to your new home. It’ll be messy even before you move in.

So, take stock of your belongings. Decide what to keep and what to let go. Do that as soon as you know about the move. This way, you’ll only be packing what’s truly necessary. Host a garage sale or turn to eBay if you want to make some extra bucks. You’ll be stunned by how much money you can make with the “extras” in your home.

Start Packing Early

It’s tempting to procrastinate, but please don’t! The sooner you start packing, the easier it is. Of course, you can’t do it all at once. So, give yourself weeks before the moving day to sort everything out. Start small and conquer one room at a time. Start by packing the things you use the least. It could be seasonal clothes or extra books. And remember to purchase or repurpose all the moving extras you will need such tissue paper, newspaper, cardboard boxes and bubble wrap to ensure that your items stay safe during your move.

So, invade your attic/basement first. From there, you can move to your living room, bedrooms, and finally, the heart of your home—the kitchen.

We also recommend packing some essentials in a separate box. Small pots and pans, a few plates, cutlery, bed linens, and even snacks. You’ll thank us when you reach your new home and need a quick fix.

Label Boxes and Pack Strategically

What’s your packing style? Wrap and throw in the box? Well, that’s not going to work. You’ll only end up damaging your valuables and occupying more space than you need.

You must be strategic about how you put things in boxes. Place the heavier items at the bottom and the lighter ones at the top. Then use bubble wrap, tissue paper, and foam wrap to secure your fragile stuff.

It’s also smart to label every box. You’ll know where your important belongings are. For example, you can mark the kitchen box as “kitchen” and add subheadings like dishes, cups, and mugs. This way, you won’t have to rummage through unpacked boxes looking for a soup bowl.

Update Your Address

You may be excited about the change of scenery but don’t forget to update your address. Whether for an online order or a magazine subscription—you must let people know of the change. Otherwise, you might miss out on important mail and packages.

If you are moving within your city, you can call the local post office and inform them of the change. But if you are moving out of state, submit an official change-of-address form with USPS.

Also, inform your child’s school, your banks, and your boss. And please, don’t forget to give your close friends and family a heads up too! You don’t want them to wonder where you disappeared.

Follow a Moving Checklist

You can’t rely on your memory alone, especially when it comes to moving cities (or states). What if you forget to inform your bank about the change of address? What will you do if your driver’s license isn’t updated?

You must make sure to cover all your bases. Creating a moving checklist is the best way to ensure you’re on top of everything. Include every minute detail, from your phone and cable company to the post office. Follow it religiously and tick off every task as you go.

You can use an online template or create your own. You can also find some useful apps to help you with the process.

Save Money When Possible

Did we mention how expensive moving can be? In between buying packing materials and hiring movers, you won’t even realize where all your dollars went. So, spend smartly. Save money whenever and wherever you can. The most practical way is to plan your move during an off-season. The prices of everything will be lower.

You can also ask friends and family to pitch in. They might be able to lend you their cars and hands. And when it comes to packing materials, you can always use old newspapers and blankets instead of buying bubble wrap. Resourcefulness is the best way to save some bucks.

Final Thoughts

Moving is tremendously chaotic. You have to continue going to work and dealing with the nuances of everyday life while packing your entire life in boxes. It can (and will) take a toll on your physical and mental health. And so we recommend making things easier when you can.

Remember, it all starts with how well you plan and how much time you allow yourself. Don’t wait till moving day to move your boxes. Hire the right team of movers well in advance and let them take care of the heavy stuff. Don’t forget to label all the boxes and keep track of your important documents.

We hope our tips will help you make your move a breeze. You got this!

*This is a collaborative post. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.