Photo by Ketut Subiyanto: pexels
It’s natural for individuals to feel connected to the house, city, and country they call home. Packing your entire life and leaving your homeland is not an easy decision. However, sometimes, you have to take that plunge for a better life.
Whether you long for exciting experiences, aspire for career growth, or crave a change of scenery, moving cross-country offers many opportunities. And the best part about considering a move is that a change in environment can lower stress hormone levels and boost dopamine release.
Relocating to a new place can also offer peace of mind and a better standard of living, but let’s be real; it can also be a bit overwhelming. However, a positive mindset and a little planning can turn this challenging experience into an opportunity for growth and new beginnings. In this article, we will share valuable tips to make your cross-country move easier, so read on.
Take Help from Movers
When you’re moving, you’ve got a lot on your plate, and handling all the logistics alone can be difficult. And it’s all the more challenging if the move requires you to travel cross-country. Without professional help, you might run into minor accidents. You might also have to make a few massage therapist and chiropractor visits due to heavy lifting.
However, hiring long-distance movers can make the job easier, as they have the relevant experience and expertise to ensure your cross-country move is a breeze.
Professional movers can tactfully handle the heavy lifting, transportation, and packing, allowing you to focus on other more important tasks. So, make sure you search for the best cross country movers to take the stress out of the equation and enjoy the excitement of starting a new chapter.
Hiring movers might seem a bit expensive, but it’ll be worth your money in the long run. After all, it’s better to pay professionals to help you move than to pay for physical therapy sessions to treat any pulled muscles!
Don’t Wing it: Make a Check List
You have to tackle many things simultaneously while planning a cross-country move. After all, your everyday tasks also require your attention. If you want to stay organized and ensure a smooth transition, it’s better to plan ahead and list everything you have to do. Planning and jotting down all the important tasks will help you stay on top of everything and avoid panicking at the eleventh hour.
Here’s how you can create a checklist
- Decide on a moving date and create a schedule.
- Gather your packing supplies by collecting bubble wrap, packing paper, boxes, tape, and other required materials.
- Let the relevant parties know about your move. Inform your postal service, bank, and insurance companies.
- Disconnect utilities at your current home and ensure they’re connected in your new house.
- Focus on the traveling arrangements. Ensure that your essentials and important documents are packed separately.
Clear the Clutter
Do you want to travel miles away carrying items you won’t need? This is your chance to declutter and start with a clean slate. Moving cross country offers you a new beginning, so make sure you don’t carry things you no longer have use for. Decluttering will allow you to only hold on to things that bring noticeable value to your life and let go of everything that doesn’t spark joy.
If the items are in good condition, you can sell them online. You can also donate your items to schools, libraries, or a reliable charity.
Moreover, decluttering will reduce the physical burden and help you save on transportation and packing supplies. Clearing the clutter will also make your cross-country move more manageable, allowing you to start afresh in a new country.
Pack Wisely
When the moving week is around the corner, start packing. The best way to reduce the stress is to pack smartly. Packing strategically will help you decide what to pack and what to discard. It will also save you from frantically rummaging through the boxes to find what you need.
Labeling the boxes is the best way to ensure a smooth packing experience. It will make it easier to identify your belongings and find anything you need while unboxing. For example, you can pack kitchen utensils separately in a different box. Likewise, you can pack liquids—bleach, soups, detergents, etc.—in a separate box to avoid leakage and damage to other boxes.
We suggest you choose any labeling system you find more convenient to follow. For example, some people may find a color-coding system more practical while packing.
Pack your important documents, jewelry, and family heirlooms in a separate bag and keep them with you to avoid losing them.
Make Traveling Arrangements in Advance
If you want your cross-country move to be stress-free and smooth, make all your travel arrangements in advance. Waiting until the last minute can lead to unnecessary stress and complications. On the other hand, planning ahead will enable you to secure the best deals and opt for suitable travel dates. Most importantly, your mind will be at peace when everything is in order. So, make those travel arrangements at least a month before the moving date.
Acquaint Yourself with the New Environment
Sure, stepping out of your comfort zone and leaving your loved ones behind is hard, but familiarizing yourself with your new country and learning about its cultural norms can make the transition smooth. We also suggest you acquaint yourself with your new country’s transportation laws before moving.
Moreover, you’ll better understand your new environment if you’re aware of the culture, the historical landmarks, and the specialty of the new country. You may need to extensively research and learn the language to connect with the locals. A pre-visit to your destination country before officially moving is also a great idea to better understand your new home country.
Wrapping Up
Moving cross-country sounds intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be so. Finding the best cross-country movers, creating a checklist, decluttering, and acquainting yourself with the new environment can make your cross-country move easier. Remember to go easy on yourself and rest enough to ensure everything goes smoothly.
