LIVE24SEVEN // Property & Interiors P ROP E R T Y ADV I C E - JONATHAN HANDFORD Managing your move
It is often stated that moving house is one of the most stressful life events, but there are some steps you can take to make the process easier. Jonathan Handford from Fine & Country Leamington Spa gives some tips on strategies for moving.
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it is amazing how quickly unnecessary bits and pieces accumulate. Scissors and pens seem to multiply of their own accord. The amount of clearing out will often depend on how long you have lived at your current address, but expending energy on packing and moving items you intend to dispose of is frustrating. Have a car boot sale or sell items online and have a box for charity shop giveaways.
As you pack, label the boxes with detailed lists of their contents. This will assist you when you arrive at your new home. It’s unlikely you’ll unpack immediately on moving day, but you can ask your removal company to put boxes where they need to be unpacked. A couple of boxes of essentials – coffee machine, kettle, cutlery and plates – gives you everything you need for the first day, so you will have a few days to unpack the rest. Have a plan of where furniture will go, particularly heavy items so they can be placed there immediately.
Whether you’ve already decided moving will be incredibly difficult or you see it as a wonderful experience offering great opportunities, there will inevitably be some stress. However flexible we think we are, we are notorious creatures of habit and enjoy our routines and creature comforts. These will be disrupted during the move and it is normal to feel a level of anxiety when facing change.
Packing up a house is an enormous task, and together with the administration of changing an address, it represents a stress trigger. While a move will never be stress-free, there are a number of ways we can keep stress at manageable levels.
Give yourself time. In most cases, it is possible to plan ahead. If time is in your control, 12 weeks is recommended, but usually eight weeks will be enough time to get everything done. Make a list and allocate weekly tasks to help keep you on track.
Task number one is clearing out the clutter. No matter how minimalist,
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A major factor of stress is fatigue and while it might be tempting to stay up late and pack an extra box, it is more important to maintain healthy sleeping patterns. Healthy eating will also keep your energy levels high, but if you begin to feel overwhelmed, allow yourself some down time; have a facial or a massage, go for a walk, or sit in the sun and read a book for half an hour.
Moving with small children and pets adds another dimension to the process. Asking friends and relatives to look after them for a day will make things a lot easier for you. If your budget allows, hire a reputable removal company to help. Their services are designed to alleviate stress and you’ll be surprised how easily they move heavy furniture and boxes.
Finally, expect to feel a little out of control when you move. It may feel chaotic as you unpack and it will take time to adjust to your new surroundings.
FINE & COUNTRY For advice on selling or buying property, please contact Fine & Country Leamington Spa on 01926 455950 or vist
www. f ineandcount r y. com
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