So you have decided to pick up and move to a brand new place. That is an exciting and scary thing to do. Moving all of your belongings from one home to a new one, can also be very stressful. If you are moving in the dead of winter, the stress levels will increase dramatically. If you are in a place that has harsh winter weather, or moving to a place that does, you have many potential hazards and obstacles to encounter in your move. There are some ways to prepare yourself to combat frigid or dangerous conditions while moving into a new home.
The first key to doing this efficiently and successfully is to plan. The weather outside means you will want to avoid going outside until you absolutely have to. Begin packing and preparing your belongings as far in advance of the move as you can. Pack little by little so you do not get overwhelmed; one of the best ways is to go from room to room. This way you can note the progress and feel accomplished; you can also be sure that you do not miss anything, and you can clean as you go. Once you are packed, cleaned and ready to go, you need to plan transport.
The ideal form of transport in the winter months would be something that could move all, or at least most of, your belongings in one trip. This will save you the hassle and stress of having to go and come back; multiple trips will just keep you out in the cold longer and put you at risk of injury or sickness. Move as much as you can in as few trips as possible. This could mean renting one large moving truck or even getting all of your friends and acquaintances with trucks to show up at the same time.
Having a lot of helping hands for the move will also be beneficial. Bribe your family and friends with hot chocolate or cheap food or guilt them with the “I’m family” line so that you have as many able-bodied people around during your move. Teamwork will make your move smoother and more efficient, and can also be an opportunity to bond with people you may not get to see as often as you like.
The key is to plan and pay attention. Figure out what you need to do first, and then figure out the best way to do it. Optimize your time, and get as much help as you can. Make sure that there are warm drinks, clothing and blankets available to that no one gets sick. You want to move as quickly as possible so that you can settle into your new, and hopefully very warm, home.
