Moving Stress: 6 tips to avoid it

Moving house can be an exciting time of renewal and adventure, but it’s also one of the most stressful events in a person's life. Packing up your entire life and literally transporting it elsewhere is a truly challenging task, capable of draining both physical and mental energy. How can you make a DIY move less traumatic? How difficult is it to manage on your own, and what are the benefits compared to hiring a professional moving company? We discuss these questions in this article.

DIY Moving: what can go wrong?

The reasons why a DIY move can go wrong are mostly tied to a lack of careful planning. When this happens, the experience can become more stressful and complicated than necessary. A common issue, for example, is underestimating the time needed to complete the move, leading to delays that can negatively affect organization and inflate costs.

Additionally, people often find themselves packing at the last minute, risking damage or loss of their belongings. Transporting heavy furniture can also lead to injuries if proper precautions aren't taken, such as using the right tools for moving loads or ensuring enough people are available to help. Further problems can arise during the journey itself: accidents caused by excessive loads in the car, which reduce road visibility and increase stopping distance, are quite frequent.

The advantages of moving on your own

However, moving on your own offers several advantages, making it preferable for many people. First and foremost, it saves on professional fees, as there are no costs associated with hiring a moving company, just the potential rental of a special vehicle. Furthermore, managing the move personally allows for direct control over every phase: from packing the items (which can be done with more care) to managing the timing according to your needs.

This flexible approach also allows for a multi-phase move without the pressure of adhering to set schedules. Finally, there’s a personal satisfaction in completing the entire process independently, knowing that you’ve handled it with your own strength.

6 tips for a stress-free DIY move

If you’ve decided to tackle the move on your own, here are some strategies to help minimize stress and make everything easier:

1. Plan in Advance: Plan every phase of the move well ahead of time. Create a to-do list and follow a schedule to avoid last-minute anxiety.
2. Pack Strategically: Group items by room and label each box with its contents and where it should go in the new home. This will help avoid confusion when unpacking.
3. Use Proper Tools: Use dollies, straps, and other tools to move heavier items, reducing the risk of injury and speeding up the process. Often, when renting a van, you can add special options to simplify loading, transport, and unloading operations, such as three-wheeled carts for moving items upstairs or hooks for securing bikes, motorcycles, and scooters inside the van.
4. Involve Friends and Family: Ask trusted people for help during the more complicated stages, like moving bulky furniture.
5. Take Breaks: Don’t try to do everything in one day. Take regular breaks to avoid overexerting yourself and getting stressed. If you’re renting a van for the occasion, you might consider an hourly or weekend rate to optimize your expenses and avoid rushing things.
6. Calculate Space Accurately: This way, you can select a vehicle that suits your needs, ensuring you can move safely (both for you and your belongings).

Looking for a van for your move? Check out our short-term van rental offers!