You know what they say—new year, new you. However, what about new year, new city? Why not give the new you a chance to thrive in a brand new environment? A change of pace can be refreshing, especially if you’re trying to make changes in your life with the hope that they’ll stick. The big obstacle, of course, is making the move. And while many of us love to start off the new year with a clean slate, it can be incredibly daunting when that clean slate also means leaving behind your comfort zone. Don’t worry, though, just like your new year’s resolutions, it’s more doable than you think. In this guide, we’ll go over five tips to make your move stress-free to start off 2023.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

When preparing to move, starting the process early helps avoid unforeseen headaches in the future. Even if you decide to move on a whim or with short notice, start planning your move as soon as you confirm the date. The more time you have to pack and prepare, the better. Focus on the most important aspects first. Pack the essentials for your new home before the less essential items. You might also want to consider renting a storage unit to give yourself the ability to sort through your things and move more gradually. Some storage units can even make the move with you, giving you lots of time to move in properly.

Create and Follow a Schedule

Always stick with a schedule, no matter how much time you have to move. Not only do schedules keep you on track, but they also ensure you’ve met all of your moving needs.

Break your time up into categories that make sense for you. For instance:

First, schedule packers and movers, find supplies, and determine how to pack.
Over the next few weeks, start packing non-essential items from least to most used. The goal is to have just a bag of essentials come moving day.
Start offloading anything that shouldn’t move with you. This includes food and unused items.
During the moving week, finish all cleaning and stop or switch all services and utilities.

Everyone’s schedule will be different, but even people with short time frames benefit from following a schedule. Your future self will thank you.

Don’t Move What You Don’t Need

Moving is a stressful process. Planning, packing, and the physical labor of moving take their toll. The worry of transporting all of your belongings adds another level of stress. A good way to reduce that stress is to reduce what you move. After all, the less you have to move, the less you have to worry about. That doesn’t mean you have to just throw things away. Try reselling things through online consignment shops and marketplaces. You can also donate unneeded items; this is a win-win for you and your community. Offloading unneeded items is also great for your mind. Cut ties with any bad habits you might have, start new projects, and shoot for dreams you’ve always had. Help your new home become a wellness space. Leave behind old distractions and unnecessary stuff.

Look for Savings and Discounts

Moves are expensive. On average, moving locally costs anywhere from $875 to nearly $2,400. Out-of-state moves often cost twice that amount or more. To avoid extra financial stress, look for savings and discounts on all your moving needs. Many services, such as packing services and moving companies, offer discounts. Every dollar saved is essential for your peace of mind, from saving money on truck rentals to scoring packing supplies for cheap. Don’t forget about any auxiliary expenses either. Ask local stores for free boxes instead of buying new ones. Or, ask your friends and family if they have any boxes in good shape. Save money on packing supplies by using your old clothes and towels to wrap your fragile goods.

Finally, plan your move to avoid the high prices of peak moving season. Summer months are always the busiest, so moving around the new year might actually save you money. For even more savings, choose a mid-month, mid-week moving date.

Consider Hiring the Professionals

Between packing, organizing, and the actual move, the entire process is tough work. If you have the means, avoid that work and hire professionals. Professional organizers, packers and movers will take away the stress and labor, allowing you to focus on crucial logistics, such as switching utilities or researching your new area. Another benefit of hiring the pros is their knowledge and expertise. With expert packing and handling skills, professionals help ensure your fragile and valuable objects make it to your new home with no issues.

If you’re tight on funds, pick and choose professional services to best meet your needs. For instance, using a shared truck saves you money, and you don’t have to drive a moving van. Or, hire professional packers to ensure your belongings are safe for the trip. Though professional services cost money, it is money well spent on keeping yourself calm and organized during the move.

Parting Thoughts

No matter where or when you’re moving, there are many important things to keep in mind throughout the moving process. Keeping track of everything is a daunting task, but don’t let that discourage you from making the change. Try using these moving tips, and the new you will be thanking the old you for a great start to 2023!

Thank you to Rachel Perez from North Star Inbound for this informative guest blog post.

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