Moving in a hurry? 6 helpful tips when you have to move on short notice

Whether you are relocating to another city or moving interstate, preparing for a move is generally a lengthy process. As such, it usually takes around seven to eight weeks to have everything prepared, packed, and organised, but if you’ve got some good organisational skills, you may even manage to cut the preparation time in half.

However, there are times when we need to move in a hurry. Sometimes it’s because we’ve procrastinated a bit too long. Other times, it happens when we find out all of a sudden that we have to relocate. Either way, it can be quite a stressful situation. That being said, there are effective ways of combating the pressure that comes with a last-minute move and ensuring the process goes as smoothly as possible. Here, six helpful tips for when you need to move in a hurry.

hings to pack translates to an easier move

Fewer things to pack translates to an easier move

First things first, when it comes to preparing for a move on short notice, you want to think practically. Now isn’t really the time to be sentimental about the items you could need or might wear sometime.

Go through your items and start getting rid of the things that you don’t necessarily like, need, or use – you can either donate them, sell, or recycle them. It will enable you to edit down your items and pack more easily. And the fewer things there are to pack, the less stressful the whole moving process will be.

whole moving process

 

Pre-packing is always a good idea

Don’t think that just because all the paperwork isn’t filled out you shouldn’t begin packing. When moving in a hurry, pre-packing is more of a necessity than a choice. With that in mind, consider packing a couple of boxes each day once you’re sure about your move-in date.

The best approach would be to start packing all the rooms you tend to use less often. Don’t think too much about grouping the items by room or purpose. As long as they are packed safely and protected from potential damage, you are good to go. However, do make sure to label boxes with fragile content to spare yourself the hassle.

Packed bag for moving out

Pack an essentials box (or a bag)

Once you get to your new place, you are going to need a couple of items you use on a daily basis. Toiletries, clothes, documents, medications, and pet food are some of the items you need to have easy access to. Therefore, make an effort to pack these items in an essentials box or a duffel bag.

This is a tip that might come in handy even if you are not in a rush to move. Nevertheless, things can get pretty messy when relocating, and keeping all the important things in one place will help you keep your sanity in the process.

Rent a vehicle for your DIY move

Having to explain yourself to others and how you want things done is probably the last thing you want to do when moving in a hurry. Being able to plan your move freely and do things on your own terms is crucial in these situations, and renting a vehicle for your DIY move lets you do just that.

moving house truck

A convenient way to transport your belongings, self-hiring a truck makes it possible for you to do the move yourself and ensure the whole process goes as smoothly and stress-free as possible. On the plus side, you also get to save some money by taking charge of the relocation process, and you can spend that cash on more exciting things than the move itself.

Ask your friends and family to help you out

In stressful periods such as relocating, turning to friends and family for help is completely justified. While you might think that you’re able to take on the challenge on your own, things tend to get quite complicated when you’re doing them on your own.

Even if you are highly organised, certain tasks are simply too time-consuming that asking for a couple of favors makes more sense than doing everything yourself. Take the stress out of the move by assigning your loved ones with different tasks. For instance, while someone is helping you sort the items from your kitchen cabinets, others can help with the cleaning or dropping off the items from your ‘donation’ pile. Getting help with just a couple of tasks goes a long way in making your move easier while also taking a lot of stress out of the equation.

Create a moving timeline

Organising the moving process on your own also means sticking to a particular schedule. There are a lot of different tasks that require your attention and some decision-making, and things can get pretty hectic when you’re doing everything in a hurry.

Create a moving timeline

Because of that, it’d be best if you’d create a timeline for your moving process. Write down everything that needs to be done and make a deadline for each task, trying to keep your expectations as realistic as possible. That way, you’ll know how much time you have to tackle all the different moving tasks, maintain your self-discipline, and ensure you reach all your moving milestones in a timely manner.

Conclusion

No matter how much time you’ve got on your hands, relocating can be quite a stressful process. It gets even more challenging when you’re strapped for time and need to move as quickly as possible. In this case, looking at the big picture can be a great strategy for coping with the pressures and the frustration of a hurried move, and relocating your belongings safely and securely should be your top priority.

All in all, the aim is to stay calm in order not to skip any important steps of the process. Sure, you might need more time to unpack when you get to your new place, but the important thing is that your move goes successfully and sans stress.

Mike Johnston
Mike Johnstonhttps://smoothdecorator.com/
My name is Mike Johnston and I'm an experienced blogger and editor with a background in digital media and web. I'm also deeply passionate about writing and view it as a form of self-expression. In my spare time, I’m usually spending time with my family and friends, or reading a new book. You can also often find me at the gym or anywhere where the air is fresh, whether it's walking at the local park or taking a hike in the great outdoors.
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