It's moving season! Whether you're a freshman setting out for college for the first time, changing apartments, or just changing roommates, moving can be pretty stressful. There's the worry that you've forgotten something vital in your haste to pack everything up. There's the fear that you and your roommates just won't get along. There's the ever-present concern that the appropriately shabby house/room/apartment you're renting will be a little too shabby for your taste. In order to make your big move as easy as possible, I've compiled a list of tips and tricks to keep the stress to a minimum!
1. Get started early.
One of the most helpful things you can do for yourself in advance of moving is to start packing at least a week before you have to hand in your keys. Starting early gives you time to properly label things so they're easier to find when you unpack, making sure you pack everything properly so nothing breaks, and takes some of the pressure off. Nothing makes moving more stressful than trying to pack everything the night before.
2. Bring some friends.
Packing up your car or U-Haul can be pretty difficult, especially if your apartment or room is up a flight of stairs. To make it easier, bribe your friends with pizza to help you carry your belongings down. Things will go much faster -- and you might even have a little fun along the way.
3. Be careful when moving furniture.
As my own experience with an extremely unwieldy IKEA bed can attest, nothing can do damage to your new home faster than trying to move your stuff around. If you have a particularly large or oddly shaped piece of furniture you need to move, see if you can dismantle it before trying.
4. Don't rush yourself unpacking.
If the sight of your belongings spread out all over the floor gives you stress, resist the temptation to rush things. As stressed as you are now, you'll be more stressed when you realize you can't remember where you put anything.
5. Try to enjoy yourself.
Relax and see if you can have a little fun! It's not every day you get to move to a new place or get new roommates, and you want to be able to remember the experience as a good one. Soak up the details and keep breathing. It'll all work out.
Happy moving, everyone!
