There's no better time than when you're planning to move home to use it as opportunity to stop making excuses and clean up the clutter - if you're still in the process of selling de-cluttering will help you stage your home, making it easier for prospective buyers to see your house and if you've sold - it's time to declutter and streamline your move!
For the last week if you've been following us on Twitter @housemovinghelp you'll have seen that we have been helping you get started with the decluttering by asking these 8 simple questions:
1. Have I used it this in the last year?
2. If I were shopping right now, would I buy this?
3. Am I keeping this so I don't waste money?
4. Am I keeping this for sentimental reasons?
5. Do I already have something that does the same job?
6. Do I have a realistic plan to use this?
7. Does it fit me or my living space?
8. It's broken, am I going to fix it?
These questions are such a good start, but it can still be daunting. Always break it down into manageable chunks - whether it be by box or piece of furniture, or by the time that you have - sometimes just setting a timer for 30 minutes and powering through is brilliant - you'll be amazed what you can achieve.
Sometimes it's useful to set up 4 boxes, label them keep, throw, donate and sell. As you go along put the items in the boxes. Items you want to keep might need to be put somewhere else, try and group together items that need to be packed together for instance. Items to donate might need to go to the local charity shop but also might find new homes with friends but whatever you decide just remember to action what it is you've decided!
How to ... move with dogs
Moving to a new house can be overwhelming
and in the whirlwind of moving it’s important to remember the other member of
your family – the dog – who’s probably just as stressed as you are. Your dog is probably picking up on all
your anxiety. For them a new home
means new and exciting smells but also unfamiliar places which can be
unsettling.
So when you’re moving house – here’s a few
tips to help make your pet feel at home in the new house which will hopefully
keep your pet calm and allow them to quickly settle:
- Make sure you’ve updated their tags if you need before you move
- Remember to update your pet insurance and vet and if you need to find a vet in your new area.
- If your move is less than a day’s travel then leave your dog with a trusted friend for family member on the day of the move. They’ll feel less stressed and so will you as you’re trying to get everything in place and unpacked!
- If you’re moving a long way take your dog in the car with you but make sure they’re confined when you get to the new house. It would be best to leave them in their crate or keep them on a leash until all the removals are done. Once you’re in close all the doors and let your dog explore their new territory.
- It helps with the transition if you unpack their toys, bedding and food bowls in a similar area to where they were before. That’ll make it easier for the dog to get orientated.
- Take your dog for a walk on the first day round their local area so they can see their new area and enjoy all the new smells.
- When things have calmed down a little dedicate some time to your dog – playtime, treats and attention are all things that will make them feel comfortable and loved and give them positive associations with their new surroundings.
- Try to keep your routine as regular as possible – feeding, walking and bedtime should all be kept the same as in the old house.
How to ... move with children
Children like routine and familiarity and they take their lead from you the parents so it's really important to be clear in your own mind about what you want to say to reassure them. Here are some helpful ways to get started:
- imagine where you'll be when you talk to them - in the kitchen or the sitting room - perhaps over a mean. Imagine what you're going to say and try and think about any questions they might have so that you can respond in an upbeat and positive way. Try and make sure your body language and tone of voice says that you're excited and about the move.
- Tell your children as soon as you can. The earlier you tell your children they are moving the better as they will worry less - children need to get used to the idea of moving too!
- Be positive about your move - children will pick up if you're anxious about the move.
- Talk to your children about their feelings about leaving their friends and having to make new ones. Talk about how to keep in touch with their old friends - email - skype, text and coming to stay in the holidays - depending on their age.
- Try asking your children these three questions:
- what is the best thing about your new school?
- what will miss about your old school?
- what is the scariest thing about your new school
- Talking through these issues will help your child build their confidence and give them support in coping with the practical side of moving and any emotional worries they may have.
- Do some fun stuff - spend the day in your new neighbourhood and find fun things to do like their new playground or leisure centre, restaurants and local tourist attractions so that your children have a positive impression of their new area.
- Start decorating their room in their head - it's always fun to imagine what will go where and what new furniture or decorative items they'd like - even perhaps a new theme!
- Let children pack some of their own boxes, especially those with their favourite toys and games - get them to personalise their box with coloured pens and stickers.
- Create a moving scrapbook - fill it with pictures from the old house - photos of their room, the garden, the height chart and include notes from friends and teachers - anything that creates a happy memory for them.
- Remember to pack a bag for each child - a few favourite toys and books, their sleepwear and any comforters so that they will be able to settle right in.
- Talk through with your children what will happen on the move - they need to know as much as you do where they will be and what the schedule of the day will be like - who will be looking after them and when their first night in the new house will be.
- Plan the first night in the house - make it really special with perhaps a takeaway meal and a movie.
- Spend time with your children on the first night - unpacking can wait - make sure that they have their favourite books and toys.
- Don't be surprised if your child becomes more clingy after moving to a new house - it's natural - just try and stick to your normal routine, mealtimes and bedtimes to create a sense of continuity.
- How you handle the changes is how your children will handle the changes so remember to be patient and positive and listen to their worries and reassure them.
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