Moving? How to Create a Stress-Free Move Day
On the lists of stress-inducing events, moving is usually one of the highest, with move day being the climax. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are two categories of needs that occur during move day. The first encompasses transactional needs, the types of activities that you find on checklists. The second category comprises emotional need. Finding solutions for emotional needs is often more complex. By planning and anticipating both types of needs, you can reduce stress on move day and create a smooth, positive experience.
What’s the secret to planning and implementing stress-free moves? Start with the big picture; everything else is small stuff.
Be a Traffic Cop
Moving day often makes people feel like they are the hub of a wheel, with spokes coming at them from all directions. Move-day planning can help. Develop a floor plan and post it on the front door of your new home so movers can place furniture without constantly having to ask you questions. Take photographs of how items are arranged in china closets and on shelves so other people can help with unpacking. Use Do Not Pack and Open Me First checklists to keep track of things you’ll need the night before and day of moving. Delegating to others doesn’t mean that you are not in charge; it means that you have selected things that others can accomplish, and you can concentrate on tasks that only you can do.
Unpack Strategically
A second key to a stress-free move day is doing “first-things” first. That means focusing efforts on tasks that must be done in order for you to stay overnight in your new home; things like setting up the bedroom, making your bed, unpacking toiletries and setting up lamps so you have light. Don’t tackle the china closets, kitchen and office until after the bedroom is set up.
Tip #1: Unpack the bedroom first so you won’t be in the movers’ way when they unload additional furniture.
Tip #2: Ask the mover to load your bedroom furniture and clothing last, so it comes off the truck first.
Tip #3: Focus on one room at a time and get it completely settled before moving on. This way you’ll have space that is organized and carton-free, even if other rooms still need to be unpacked.
Prioritize Yourself
The most important need, however, is taking care of yourself. This means stopping work at a reasonable hour—say six in the evening—before you exhaust yourself or hurt your back. Plan on a casual meal out, come back to your unpacked and organized bedroom, and go to bed. The cartons that remain will be there for you the next day, or the day after that.
Give yourself permission to not accomplish everything at once. Patience and understanding go a long way in reducing stress. Recognize that your spouse’s bad mood is not about you; it’s about how he is feeling. Stress can affect memory too, so don’t panic if you can’t remember your new phone number or your daughter’s address; you’ll be fine next week. Lastly, give yourself time to feel at home. You have probably spent months preparing for and anticipating your move; move day can seem disappointing or anticlimactic. The best part about move day is, it ends, and then you are ready to start life in your new home.
Helpful Hints
Create a Do Not Pack area the day before the move for everything you are likely to need the next day. Include items from three categories:
- Clothing, towels and toiletries
- Personal items such as keys, wallet, checkbook, cell phone (and charger) and all prescription medication
- Miscellaneous items which are easily lost, such as the TV remote and the key to the china closet
Make an Open Me First box for items such as towels and bedding, telephones, clock radio, toilet paper, trash bags, snack food, paper plates and a coffee or tea pot (plus filters!).
Surfing Suggestions
If you’d like more suggestions on how to ease the moving process, visit the National Association of Senior Move Mangers (NASMM).
http://www.gilbertguide.com/articles/moving-made-easy-how-to-create-a-stress-free-move-day/
Actual conversations of people asking about what it’s like to live in Frederick Maryland from popular web forum about cities in every state: city-data.com:
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Originally Posted by Mush202
 Need some advice on Frederick, MD. My wife and I are looking at moving to Frederick but I am hearing some mixed feedback on the area. We are looking for a single family home in the $400K-$500K price range.
Is Frederick safe? Crime? |
My ex and I moved up to Frederick after college to raise kids and it is a great area. There’s lots to do, parks, hiking, minor league baseball, arts, history, shopping, great dining and nightlife too. I’ve been here over twenty years now and never had a problem with crime. Now that I’m single I am out and about downtown all the time. It’s a really great downtown and reminds me of Annapolis, Fells Point or Old Town Alexandria. Just like those places, you want to be safe and know where not to go, but again, I’ve never had a problem. The area around Baker Park is especially nice. Carroll Creek is an up and coming area, but with all the condos it’s probably more geared for singles. Generally the police are great. I had one incident with a dyke police woman that, well, we had a personality clash. But that is the exception and most of the officers have been friendly, respectful and often you even see the Chief of Police out walking the streets. The town is growing but still has a bit of the Mayberry feel to it. Don’t plan to drink and drive though, as police officers are all over the place after midnight on weekends. Steer away from South Street, Hillcrest and Heather Ridge areas, but otherwise you should feel safe where ever you go.
Read more: http://www.city-data.com/forum/maryland/210290-possibly-moving-frederick-md.html#ixzz0RDMWgVLD
Frederick Maryland Attractions:
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| From Life in Frederick Maryland |
Tours & Cruises
Candlelight Ghost Tours of Frederick
124 North Market Street • Frederick, MD 21701
The Tour Begins at Brewer’s Alley Restaurant
301-845-7001 or 301-668-8922
Frederick’s most popular walking tour, which is based upon factual events and actual eyewitness encounters, brings history alive as tour guides dressed in period attire lead visitors on a 90 minute excursion through the city’s dark streets and alleyways, highlighting numerous epicenters of paranormal activity in the historic downtown area.
Posted by David Bruce 
Frederick Maryland Moving Companies 