Packing up and moving is never easy. There are so many things that race through your mind from the second you lock down your next home to that day when you finally get yourself settled into your new household. Often, just when you think you have every piece of furniture and appliance accounted for, something else pops into your head.

Take a few deep breaths, in and out, and let us guide you through some steps that may make things a little easier for you as you pack up and ship out.

Giving Yourself Time

While you may feel that you are on a strict deadline to get things moved out, onto the truck, and off to your new home, make sure you are mentally in a great place before you head to the new place. Therapy Group of DC recommends finding individual therapy to let out any anxiety or stress you may feel about your upcoming move, while reflecting on the positives of starting owner in a new city. A therapist will lend the ear that you may need in a time of some uncertainty heading to a new city or even state in the U.S.

Taking things at your pace and staying organized during your move will eliminate some of the stress of staying on track. Be sure to properly set aside what is coming with you on the move, what is staying behind, what could go to storage, and what could be sold or given to charity. Make sure to label things clearly so they aren’t lost in the shuffle.

Also, don’t feel as though you have to go it alone. Implementing this mental health mantra in moving is crucial. Don’t hesitate to ask friends or family to take on certain tasks to clear your plate a little bit for the move. Be sure to implement self-care as part of these plans. Get as much rest as you can and eat well as you work to get everything ready to go. Don’t be afraid to treat yourself to something for your new abode, like the television you’ve been wanting or a piece of artwork that will make your new place pop. You can even make it a personal gift, like some new sneakers or bootcut jeans, or even just a haircut or spa day to look forward to.

Going With the Flow

Social anxiety and stress associated with uprooting can be taxing. Don’t be afraid to step back when you need to, but if an issue arises during the move, you will have to go with the flow a bit.

Unplanned events can arise, so try to be as flexible as you can be when it comes to scheduling your move. Be sure to have some semblance of a back-up plan in place so that if any major part of your move hits a snag, you can make the proper adjustments quickly. For example, keep a short list of movers, rental agencies, and storage facilities on standby in case there becomes a problem with your first choices as the move approaches. You can even pad yourself with a few days on either end of your move out or move-in day to provide a safety net on the timing end of things.

Opting for Storage

You really don’t get a full inventory on how much stuff you have until you move. While prepping your new home and its basic amenities may be the best option, sometimes we don’t get that choice. That’s when it could be time to consider renting out a storage unit near your new place.

A self-storage facility will allow you easy access to a secure location that can hold as much of your stuff as you may need to put aside. Many self storage facilities are able to accommodate your moving things in and out at all hours, and can even accommodate extra space storage if you notice your one unit may not be enough. This safe environment can hold things over for whether or not those goods make into your new household, or if they may wind up for sale to bring in a few extra bucks. These self storage units are readily available by reaching out through customer service lines set up by various facilities.

Self-storage facilities around the U.S. can hold just about anything in some cases. RV storage in Fort Lauderdale, for example, can make sure that your trailer or RV is safely housed in the event your new place doesn’t have the parking capacity to have it stay put nearby. The same goes for vehicle storage, and even boat storage.

Unpacking in Your New Place

As you move, be sure to keep any important documents on hand for easy access. This should include copies of important information you may need at a moment’s notice. This might include your moving contract, insurance information, or any phone numbers you need to install or uninstall certain services. When it comes to unpacking your boxes, be sure to take on the necessities first. Start with larger furniture items, like mattresses, box springs, and couches if you have them. From there, things like kitchen supplies, toiletries, and bedding should be the first things unboxed. After that, you can move on to a room by room approach to set up the decor of your new place as you see fit.

Just like when you packed up your old house, don’t be afraid to ask for a helping hand in making your new home your own. Even if a friend or family member can only offer limited time to get you situated, be sure to keep them in mind in case you need to call upon them.

Once you have yourself settled in, be sure to utilize whatever transportation you’ve used for the move to bring stuff to other locales like storage facilities, dumps, thrift stores or charities. That also includes anything you may be gifting another family member to take for their own home. Remember, moving is a lengthy process that does take some time, and it will be a while before you truly feel situated in your new place. Once the move is completed, that new place will be home sweet home before you know it.