One of the basic facts of that life is that moving home is never an easy task. As well as the stress caused by having to leave somewhere familiar and reassuring and having to adapt to a completely new environment, the relocation process means that you are going to have to pack everything that you own and then unpack everything you own at the other end. Add to this the fact that sometimes you might be surprised at just how much you actually do own and have forgotten about, and your stress level can end up going through the roof as a result.
Although making a move is never likely to be able to done completely free of anxiety and stress, there are methods of cutting down on the amount you have to cope with. When it comes to packing you should make certain that boxes end up weighing no more than 50 pounds. It is also a very good idea to make certain that you have acquired all the necessary materials before you commence packing, as there is little that is more annoying than having to stop in the middle of a packing session so that you can go and purchase more supplies.
You also need to ensure that every box is properly closed and then sealed so that the top is completely flat. Boxes that are over-packed can end up damaging the contents that you are trying to protect. Items that are small and loose should be placed in boxes or bags and then securely sealed before being placed inside a bigger box. In the event that you are moving liquids, these need to be either transferred into a sealable container or, if already in a sealable container, placed in a waterproof bag that is then sealed and placed in an upright position inside a box. The box in question would then need to be marked ‘this end up’ with arrows. You should also make sure that you know which items should not be packed at all. An inventory list of every box and its contents should be kept. This is both helpful in the unpacking process and crucial should a box somehow go missing during transit, meaning that you would need to make a claim.
Keep a box of essential items that you will need immediately before and after the relocation to be loaded last and unloaded first. You should never move important documents with the rest of your possessions; instead, they should be kept with you in the car or if this is not possible then you should have them sent ahead with a secure courier company. Items should be kept in their proper place as much as is possible. Items from the same room should also be kept together. Tools that will be required to reassemble furniture should be kept in a clearly marked separate box.
Jon Huser
