When it comes to life’s most stressful events, moving house is up there. There’s a reason why we choose to buy houses – we want to stay in them for as long as possible! Most people will have some kind of horror story about moving, from the movers being late to items not being packed properly and breaking during transit – whatever yours is, it’s likely to be enough to put you off moving again.
The stress of moving house can put a huge strain on relationships. While things usually resolve themselves in the end, it doesn’t exactly get you off to the best start in your new home. So, can this stress be avoided? Take a look at how you can move house, and keep your relationship intact.
Don’t leave things until the last minute
Failure to prepare is preparing for failure, or so the saying goes! But it’s particularly fitting for moving. Leaving your moving jobs until the last minute is sure to cause some stress between couples, so get ahead of things in advance. From the day you know you’re moving, write a moving house checklist and start working your way through it. Divide the tasks up between you to keep things fair and ensure the work doesn’t just fall to one person.
Begin the clearout early
Moving is a great excuse for a clear-out, and can save some arguments down the line over where to put things in your new home. It also means less to pack when moving day comes around. Decluttering your home for a move isn’t the same as a seasonal clearout – it will require a little more ruthlessness and a firm stance on the things you don’t want to take with you to your new place. Begin this process as soon as you can to get yourselves into a good place before your move.
Book movers to lighten the load
Most people will agree that if you can afford it, booking movers can save a lot of stress on moving day. Booking a moving service can mean that a lot of the hard work is taken care of, with your belongings packed and transported without you having to lift a finger. Yes, it will add to your moving costs, but it can be worth it to save you from arguing and ensure the job is done properly.
Involve other people
Some tasks can feel beyond two people, and moving can be one of them. So why not enlist family and friends to help you out on the day? You can assign people different jobs, such as including your new home checks or labelling boxes, sharing the workload, and avoiding it being just the two of you having to do everything. Having other people around can also be a good way to dodge big arguments – diffusing the tension and making moving a little more fun than it usually is!
Moving can be a lot for couples, and while there are no guarantees here, following some of the advice above could be just what you need to avoid a bust-up on moving day. Be prepared and work as a team to help you leave your old place behind and get ready for a fresh and exciting chapter in your new home.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
