Even the most seasoned mover might become rattled by the stressful process of moving. However, this is further exacerbated by doing it on a short-term notice. In an ideal world, your relocation would be something you could prepare over several months. But since you only have a short amount of time, everything needs to be organized to make the most of that time. Perhaps your new employment requires you to relocate closer to it, or you may need to move closer to home to handle a family emergency. Whatever the situation, here are our tips for surviving a short-notice relocation.
Write down your plan
Every well-accomplished task starts with a plan. Of course, having more time to develop such a plan is always better for the plan itself and your general mental state. You may think making a plan is a waste of your precious time, but that is not true. Such a plan will guide you, so spend your limited time wisely. Therefore, whether you’re moving locally or having a long-distance move – when in a pinch, make a plan.
Create a list of all the tasks needed before your move, each task’s deadline, people to call, or services to hire. You can be as exact as you wish to and use whatever writing medium you prefer. Additionally, you can start planning what you will need to do once you move. For example, you may need to change your address or move some of your utilities. Whatever comes to mind, write it down so it takes up less space in your already stressed mind. And leave it on paper (or on any device) to remind you.
Get helping hands
The task of moving is always best done with someone’s help, whether you lack the time or not. Firstly, ask your friends, family, or even neighbors if they are willing to help. You can assign them different tasks to better organize your time and avoid confusion. For example, your parent can label your boxes, while your best friend may move them to your car. However, if such a thing is not an option, professional movers can always help you. After all, they are well-acquainted with the entire process of moving and can help you even when you lack time. This is one of the best ways of surviving a short-notice relocation since you will get time to focus on other tasks while they deal with your belongings.
Declutter to have fewer items to think about
Before you start packing, you should focus on minimizing the number of items you will bring with you. Take a careful look at everything you want to keep and ensure you have valid reasons for doing so. Additionally, fragile items like your plants could strive better at someone else’s home if you’re moving far. Furthermore, the fewer items you have, the more you will prepare your home for movers. If you make it easier for them to tackle your belongings, it is a win-win on either side since it will also take them less time. When decluttering, you can place different items in different bins according to what you may do with them, like selling, giving away, donating, recycling, or throwing away. However, to save yourself some time, if all else fails, you can hire removal services.
Acquire everything you may need for packing to save time
Once you’ve completed most of what needs to be done before packing, it is time to go shopping for packing supplies. Make sure you acquire everything you need so you do not scramble for each item when packing since this will take away from the time you have.
Some things you should have on hand are:
- Boxes (cardboard or plastic)
- Packing tape
- Packing paper
- Bubble and/or plastic wrap
- Labels
- Scissors
Before visiting nearby stores for these items, ask if anyone may have moved recently and have packing supplies they do not need anymore. This way, you will save not only time but also money.
Start packing right away
You should start packing as soon as you possibly can. And since you have already decluttered and prepared your packing supplies, it will not be as tricky. In order to remain efficient, we suggest packing room by room. Furthermore, if you choose this method, you can label each box with the room’s name, making unpacking easier. Fragile items should be wrapped in bubble wrap or secured in any way you deem fit. As with the bulky items, handle them with care since you do not want them to topple over and damage your other belongings. However, depending on exactly how short-notice your relocation is, you can skip organizing and sorting and just pack as fast as you can while protecting your items as best as time allows.
Prioritize speed over anything
However, depending on exactly how short-notice your relocation is, you may need to cut corners. Do not go room by room, do not label boxes, just pack whatever is in reach. This is how you’ll survive an incredibly short-term notice relocation. Organizing and sorting will only take the time you do not have, so you should leave it for when you’ve moved into your new place. Of course, when packing, you should still protect your items as much as time allows it. If you neglect this, you will regret this decision when you break your favorite cup or memorabilia.
Keep your calm
The last step of surviving a short-notice relocation is to breathe and keep your calm. You will need to remain focused no matter how overwhelmed you may feel. This will help you avoid mistakes and think clearly about what to do and how. Take deep breaths, remind yourself everything will be alright, and you’re doing your best. Take a large looming task and break it into smaller ones to help yourself feel better. Console in someone you trust. And always remember – you’ve got this!