| It's Your Move . . . and whether it
takes you and your family across town or across the country it will go
more smoothly if you take time to do some planning and, most
importantly, take time out for yourself.
As a personal/professional coach, and a seasoned mover, I have
identified several simple, but crucial steps in the moving process to
keep you focused, organized, energized.
- List everything and anything that comes to mind as you think of
it. Keep a notebook (preferably with pockets) by the phone to
capture and date all phone calls, messages, notes, and information
given to you as it happens.
- Jot down the names and phone numbers of all the utility
companies, newspapers, physicians and such, that you will need to
notify.
- Insert a calendar in the front and immediately pencil in
appointments.
- Plot out your time frame, beginning with the date of the move
and work backwards, scheduling daily plenty of time for sorting,
packing, cleaning, storing items, going to the recycling center,
dump, sending out change of address notices.
- Schedule vacation time, if needed for the move.
- Determine services to be scheduled at the other end, such
painters, and make reservations for alternative accommodations if
needed once you sell your home.
- Schedule time on the calendar or in your daily planner first
thing in the morning and last thing at night to review your list,
add/subtract or make any modifications. This not only will keep
you on track but also will make you feel in control of the move.
- Schedule time for extreme self-care. This could be the most
critical step in the process. Moving is hectic, exhausting. Meals
are often skipped or grabbed on the run. Emotions are high, nerves
on edge.
- Try to schedule an appointment with yourself to exercise several
times a week, if not daily. Taking a walk outside can break up the
tedium of chores while keeping you in shape.
- Schedule a massage if possible.
- Keep a journal to help sort out thoughts and emotions and to get
some perspective. Make time to talk to your children about their
feelings.
- Hire as much help as possible. Cleaning, baby-sitting, yard
work, hauling
big items or junk - all these services are available and may well
be worth
the price. - Ask for support. Take people up on their offers to help. Enlist
your kids: give each a chart, again working backwards from the
target date, with small, manageable steps that are easily
achieved.
- Have a packing party.
- Give yourself a break! It would be great to sort through all
your possessions to eliminate those truly not needed or used, and
organize those that you keep. However, time is usually of the
essence in this process. Give yourself permission to tackle that
task on the other end.
- If you can't stand the thought of taking unwanted stuff to your
new home consider some alternatives. If a local move, rent a
storage space. If not, purchase a mobile self-storage unit, which
can be loaded up at your home, and either stored at another
location or moved right onto the moving van.
- Schedule in time for old friends and neighbors - throw a goodbye
party (at someone else's house!), have a party in your child's
school, take pictures of their friends.
- Maintain a SENSE OF HUMOR! It will lighten your load and help
everyone to transfer tension and stress into excitement and
anticipation.
- And last, but not least, keep the end in mind. Post pictures of
your new house on the refrigerator. If possible, visit your new
neighborhood. Get as much information as possible about the local
cultural events, schools, shopping, restaurants, services, and
community activities. By the time you get there it will feel like
home.
Written by Cheryl Dolan
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