5 Relocation Survival Tips That Will Save Your Sanity

Are you relocating due to a career change? Or maybe you’re moving to be closer to your family. Perhaps you’re retiring to a new location that will extend you a unique, luxurious lease on life. Whatever reason you have, the proposition of relocating can be daunting at best and downright fraught with nail-biting panic attacks at worst, and this is true regardless if you're organizing the move by yourself in San Pedro, Ca, or if you're using fort worth full service movers in Fort Worth, Tx. You can avoid the big anxiety spiral that often comes with relocating by heeding these simple, helpful survival tips.

Preparation is Crucial

Of course, if you find yourself relocating at the last minute, pre-planning and preparing for your move might be a big ask. However, you have some time to get organized and lay out a strategy for your move in most cases. The more prepared to succeed in your relocation, the less likely you will run into epic failures along the way of moving to your new destination.

While it may seem tedious, taking the time to make checklists of all you have to do can save your sanity and help make your transition less stressful. Go the distance and keep a binder to record all the details about the move. 

From scheduling movers, turning on the electricity, dates for cleaning crews, shopping lists for items you’ll need – the details in moving can be mind-boggling. That’s why having a central location for all these details is crucial. If you move to a new country, you can do a little research to find out the local rules regarding the residence permit and obtaining citizenship. 

Do Research on Your New Location

If you’re moving back to your childhood hometown or someplace you lived in the past and thought this relocation would be a piece of cake because you’re familiar with the area – think again. Time changes all things. Therefore, do some research about your new location (even if it’s going back home). 

On the other hand, if you’re moving across the country or abroad, the need to investigate the new area you’ll be living in is doubly critical. It would be best to get your facts straight about what and how you can transport belongings across state borders or international lines. 

For example, certain items such as firearms, chemicals, or machinery will come under extreme scrutiny with US Customs and Border Protection and international customs agencies. You can save yourself a load of headaches and setbacks by researching before you go. Find out what paperwork is required or regulations involved when moving across borders. 

Furthermore, define what your new area requires in setting up utilities, where to buy groceries, and what to do in case of emergencies. Doing this will allow you to survive your move with minimal stress.

Keep a “Go Bag” Close By

Hands-down, one of the biggest challenges with any move is getting your hands on items you need in a pinch. If you think about it – you’re uprooting your entire life, home, and family, which implies a lot of chaos. Therefore, consider packing a specialized “go bag” to help you survive your move.

A “go bag” can be a suitcase, backpack, or carry-all that stores all your essentials. This one travel item can save your bacon when it comes to relocating. Pack your phone chargers, maps, flashlights, batteries, snacks, whatever you might immediately need while in transit during your move—having this one bag handy will save you loads of stress while making your departure to your new destination.

Keep this essential piece of luggage close by. If you’re relocating by car or moving van, make sure this special bag is with you at all times so you can grab what you need when you need it. Likewise, make this a carry-on piece if traveling by air or sea. 

You can even consider using or purchasing a bright-colored bag so that you know exactly what it looks like. The point of this strategy is to gain instant access to critical items, even during high-stress moments of your move.

Realize Nothing Will Be Perfect

The process of moving is rife with imperfection. If you appreciate control in your life, you’re probably striving to prepare for all contingencies. That’s great. However, it’s essential to know that no relocation is perfect, and glitches will be. 

With this in mind, realize that you can only prepare so much for your relocation. Also, understand that you have no control over external snafus, such as traffic causing your movers to arrive late or miscommunications that result in financial or service stand-offs. 

Take Time Outs

In light of the tip mentioned earlier about the imperfect nature of moving, recognize that your sanity during a relocation is contingent on your ability to take breaks. When the going gets tough during a move (and it will), then you’ve got to take a time out. 

Remember that you are transforming your entire life. Your whole existence is changing and moving in a different direction and location. When you let that sink in, you might better understand the gravity of the situation.  

As such, you should be able to grant yourself unplugged moments throughout your mornings, afternoons, and evenings to decompress and process the weight of this monumental move you’re faced with.

Think about taking deep breaths to balance, center, and calm yourself while challenging moving moments. Or, take a stand and carve out time to meditate so that you can restore your equilibrium. 

Furthermore, do everything you can to get plenty of sleep and rest during your move. While this tip might seem counterintuitive when you’re hustling to pull off your relocation – it can make all the difference in surviving a stir with all your sensibilities intact.

The Last Word on Surviving Your Next Relocation

Moving is not for sissies, and it requires brains, brawn, money, and might. You know that before going into the relocation process affords you an advantage. Why? Because being prepared and taking steps to make your move as seamless as possible will ensure you can pull off your move with the least amount of hair-pulling hassle.  

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