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In the list of the ten most stressful events, moving to a new apartment or home is near the top. How can such a joyful event be so stressful? Is the stress emotionally based or are there other foundations for our behavior. It is a prevalent theory that lack of planning causes us to fret when making this transition. If you prepare your possessions and yourself in advance, the process will glide through effortlessly.
About one month in advance, items which will ultimately be in storage can be packed. First go to the local grocery store and ask if they have any boxes which they are planning on throwing out. Most of these boxes will already be torn down, in which case you need to buy packing tape. Banana boxes are usually the strongest and best for heavy items. Also get a few things of newspaper to wrap your fragile items.
Make sure to label all boxes with their room of origin, contents, and date of packing. Find a dehumidified, air-conditioned place to store your boxes. Make sure to organize your storage room with the heaviest items on the ground, proceeding to the lightest on the top. Also make sure that items which you believe might prematurely come out of storage, are near the exit.
As you get closer to the move-out date, change all of your utilities, arrange for a new bank to process your account, and set up child/pet sitting arrangements. It is very stressful to have an adorable dog/cat or child running around as the movers are unpacking your only possessions. For this reason, arrange for a sitter to watch them as you move out and as you move in.
All clothes which are prone to wrinkle should be wrapped in plastic and laid flat in a large box (which can be picked up at the local grocery store). Shoes can be stacked in layers in a banana box, in between layers run either aluminum foil or cellophane to prevent scuffs. Do not use newspaper on anything except dishes and china, for the ink will mar the items.
Electronic cords and small parts can easily be packed with clothes or sheets. Alternate between an electronic piece and a T-shirt or blanket, this will prevent harm to all items involved. While your packing your boxes, keep a sack to the side for necessary items. In this sack you must have: snacks, scissors, phone, alarm codes, paper towels, and nail polish remover. If you have recently bought items, the sticker will often still be attached, in which case it is necessary to remove it with nail polish remover.
When you first arrive at your new home, plug in the phone. If you have an alarm system, and it is set off during moving procedures, the phone will save the police a visit out to your house. Good luck moving, and remember, planning is the best remedy to stress.
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