12 Essential Tips for Dealing with Moving Stress

Moving can be stressful no matter how much preparation you do beforehand. Because there are so many moving pieces, dealing with moving stress can be tricky. But have no fear! To help you learn how to make moving less stressful, we’ve provided a handy guide below.

Why Is Moving So Stressful?

When you think about moving, you might think about the surface-level tasks, like packing items and renting a moving van. However, moving anxiety often goes a lot deeper than your to-do list.

Of course, the reasons behind moving in the first place can play a role in your anxiety. Whether it’s a good or bad situation, moving can take a toll on your emotions. Not only are you uprooting your life and relocating, but you’re leaving behind certain comforts and entering a world of unknowns, which might include a new neighborhood, city, or state.

No matter how you look at it, moving is a big transitional event in your life, which can no doubt cause moving stress.

Signs of Moving-Out Anxiety

Whether you’re preparing to move 30 days from now or six weeks down the road, you might be surprised at how quickly the stress can sneak up on you. You may find yourself developing emotional symptoms, from feeling overwhelmed to having difficulty relaxing. But you may also begin to feel physical symptoms of moving anxiety, including headaches, chest pains, and low energy.

Tips for Stress-Free Moving

Yes, a lot goes into the moving process, but you don’t have to let the stress get the best of you. If you’re wondering how to make moving less stressful, follow our 12 tips below!

1. Manage Your Expectations (and Emotions)

Even if you are an expert planner, there will always be bumps in the road you can’t foresee or control. However, it’s your attitude and the way you face them that can make or break the experience. Try to keep an upbeat, realistic attitude, and remember to expect the unexpected at any time. If you have a positive mindset, you’ll be prepared to tackle any obstacle that comes your way.

2. Create a Master Plan

One of the best tips we can offer regarding how to cope with moving involves creating a to-list. Make a list of every task you must do between now and moving day. Once you see everything you need to address, you can begin to schedule it out and create due dates. Some things will be more urgent, while other tasks may be able to wait until you settle into your new digs. Let this game plan be your guiding light; make sure you hold yourself accountable to the deadlines that you have set.

3. Think Ahead

There’s more to moving than just packing up your belongings. Don’t forget to think about the other aspects of moving into a new place, such as changing your mailing address, turning on the water and electricity, and picking up your keys. Add these tasks to your game plan and schedule them out in advance.

4. Stick to Your Budget

Moving isn’t cheap, but don’t let the financial implications add to your moving stress. To keep your finances in check, build out a budget with all your associated moving costs. Are you planning to hire a moving company? Are you going to rent a truck yourself? Will you lease a storage unit? When you create a budget (and stick to it!), you can avoid surprise financial hits along the way.

5. Look Renting a Storage Unit

When packing up your life, a storage unit can be a blessing. Some people like to place their packed boxes into a storage unit to keep them out of the way during the moving process. Others prefer to organize their belongings in a storage unit until they determine what they want to do with them. Maybe you’re downsizing and haven’t gotten around to selling your three-piece couch, or perhaps you’re moving into an apartment and don’t have space for your outdoor equipment. Consider investing in a storage unit to help reduce your moving-out anxiety.

6. Ask for Help

Anyone who has ever moved understands how overwhelming it can feel, so don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family for a hand. Maybe you need some help packaging up your boxes or transporting them down to your moving truck. Their physical (and emotional!) support can go a long way, especially if you’re feeling stressed out. Want to get an army behind you? Promise them lunch, snacks, or beverages, and you’re sure to have a team lining up to help.

7. Consider Hiring a Moving Company

Avoiding stress sometimes means knowing when to turn to the professionals. If you’re fretting about moving all your antique furniture into your minivan or freaking out about driving a massive moving truck across the country, you may want to hire a moving company to help you out. Yes, you’ll have to pay for the service (and add the costs to your budget), but limiting even just one stressor can make a difference.

8. Organize by Necessity

When it comes to actually packing up your belongings, think about what you need and when you’ll need it. Begin boxing up items that you won’t need to access for a while, such as your winter clothes or recreational gear. Keep a few boxes aside for the items that you know you’ll use down to the very last minute, like your toothbrush or espresso machine. You can pack these up last and set them aside to open first when you arrive at your new place. Some people go as far as labeling their boxes with different colors to signify their priority. This can help you know which boxes to unpack first.

9. Do Your Research

Fear of the unknown is something that can certainly add to your moving anxiety. Where will you do your grocery shopping? What will your commute to work be like? And how will you ever find a coffee shop as good as the one in your previous town?

Start researching your new neighborhood when you have a few minutes. If you live near your new place, take a cruise around, familiarizing yourself with the local streets and establishments. Maybe you’ll find a park you want to take your kids to, or a pizza joint that looks inviting. Better yet, chat with your future neighbors or strike up conversations with the locals for recommendations. But if you live far away, check out online maps of your new area to see the lay of the land. When it comes to getting to know the nearby shops and eateries, look into reviews to see what other people are saying about the local haunts.

10. Make Time for Goodbyes

Give yourself plenty of time and space to say your goodbyes, whether that’s going for one last walk in your favorite park or hosting one more barbeque with your neighbors. This may help give you closure and a sense of peace as you embark on the new chapter of your life.

11. Get Excited

No matter the reason for your move, it’s happening, and it’s time to get excited about it. A new home means new beginnings. You can start fresh and start your own adventure! You get to write this new chapter, so where do you start? Are you going to paint the living room that color you’ve always dreamed of, or are you heading next door to introduce yourself to your neighbors? Go for a bike ride, explore the nearby trails, and buy some fresh flowers to brighten up your space.

12. Focus on Your Well-Being

No matter how much you plan, there’s no doubt that you’ll feel some level of moving-out anxiety. Be kind to yourself during this time and do things that help you unwind or feel at peace. Draw a bath and brew some tea, curl up and read your favorite book, or gather your kids around for a family game night. If you take these extra steps to reduce your stress, you’ll help keep yourself in balance.

Now that you know how to make moving less stressful, turn to Stor-It for even more stress-free moving and storage tips. We offer advice on everything from how to declutter your home to how to downsize before moving.

Stor-It is the oldest and largest storage provider in the state of Idaho. We’re your go-to storage location, as we provide you with everything you need to make storing your belongings a breeze. In addition to offering affordable month-to-month leases, we’re here to help you find the right size storage unit for your needs. And to top it off, you find all the supplies you need for moving day right here on our site.