Last year, I moved to a new place, and I mean it when I say that everything about it was extremely stressful. You can imagine how mentally challenging it is to leave your comfort spot and move to a completely unfamiliar place while managing your routine life.
Not to mention the whole shifting procedure that included packing and organizing more than half a ton of items. Yes, you heard it right, a typical household contains at least 6,500 pounds of moveables (CT Moving and Storage: 25 Moving Statistics).
On top of that, I had to do it all during the holiday season, talk about bad timing. Understandably, it adds a layer of complexity to everything. However, it is not rare for people to relocate during the festive season.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, this article is for you. To better prepare you, here are six challenges and their solutions, you might face while relocating during festivities.
Challenge 1: Limited Availability of Movers
Since many people choose to relocate before the year ends, and others take time off work for the holidays, this becomes the time when reputable long distance movers are in higher demand than usual.
Additionally, certain moving services may close or operate with limited staff during the holidays, making it even more difficult to schedule time for shifting.
Solution:
A little bit of planning can save you from this issue, here is how I did it:
Book Early: I scheduled my move earlier, hence, was able to secure the best dates and times for everything. I contacted moving companies well in advance and asked for a quote.
Consider Flexible Dates: If your schedule allows, I would suggest you try choosing a move date that falls outside of the peak holiday period, such as the week before Christmas or the week after New Year’s.
Research Smaller Companies: Larger, well-known moving companies generally have limited availability, but smaller, local movers may have more open slots, that is why try contacting local movers to secure a spot for yourself.
FUN FACT Half of all moves happen between May and September.
Challenge 2: Inclement Weather
It is no secret that winter weather can be unpredictable. It doesn’t take long for bad weather conditions such as snowstorms, icy roads, and freezing temperatures to turn disastrous. When moving long distances, these can lead to delays and cause hazardous situations.
The risk can be especially high for those of you who live in northern regions or are moving to areas that experience harsh winters.
Solution:
To overcome extreme weather challenges, you can take the following measures:
Monitor the Weather: Keep a close eye on climate forecasts leading up to your shifting dates. Plan for possible delays or rescheduling in case the conditions seem out of control.
Prepare Your Vehicle: If you’re driving your own car, it will be wise to keep it winter-ready. Make sure your tires are suitable for snowy or icy conditions and do not forget to pack emergency supplies like blankets, water, and a first-aid kit in the vehicle.
Hire Professionals: Hiring professional movers with the experience of navigating tough winter conditions can help minimize uncertainties. Select a moving company that is aware of any weather concerns and plans accordingly.
Allow Extra Time: Keep extra time margin for loading, travel, and unloading, especially if the weather is unreliable.
Challenge 3: Holiday Commitments and Limited Time
As you know, the holiday season is often packed with family events, travel plans, and celebrations. At a certain point, balancing these commitments with the demands of the move turned overwhelming for me. Limited vacation time from my work also created time constraints and additional limitations.
Solution:
I tried to balance my holiday commitments and limited time in this manner:
Plan Ahead: I tried to stay ahead of my schedule and completed most of my packing and organization before getting busy with all the festivities, especially for items I didn’t need until after the move.
Delegate Tasks: My family and friends showed their support by helping with small tasks like packing boxes, running errands, and watching children and pets.
Schedule Strategically: For those of you planning to move on a weekend, be sure to give yourself several days to prepare. Since I moved during the workweek, I scheduled my move during my time off.
Set Aside Time for Holiday Traditions: Understand that, moving doesn’t mean you have to forgo holiday celebrations. So, I planned a few smaller events such as a cozy dinner, with close family and friends, to keep the holiday spirit alive.
Challenge 4: High Costs and Holiday Expenses
Obviously, the monetary challenges cannot be ignored. Moving during the holidays was financially taxing. Between buying gifts, traveling, and the added costs of moving services, holiday expenses strained my budget, to some degree.
Solution:
The measures listed below helped me minimize its impact:
Budget Wisely: I prioritize my spending for the move and clung to a budget I had prepared. I tried to cut costs where I could, such as by packing my own items, rather than hiring full-service packers.
Look for Discounts: I contacted a moving company offering holiday discounts and special offers. For this, you can ask about promotions or negotiate a better rate.
Take Advantage of the Holiday Season Sales: I needed a few home goods and furniture for my new place, and what better chance to shop for them than the post-holiday sales?
Consider Tax Deductions: Since I was moving for a job-related reason, I was able to deduct some taxes. If you are not aware of these laws, it is best to consult with a tax professional to check if you qualify for deductions.
DO YOU KNOW? Usually, electronics retailers experience the most traffic during the holiday season.
Challenge 5: Emotional Stress and Disruptions
The holidays are already an emotional time of year, and adding a move into the mix surely took a toll on my stress levels. To be honest, during this process, I even got overwhelmed by the logistics of this change and nostalgic about leaving my old home.
Solution:
But as they say, changes are a part of life and the show must go on, this is how I overcame those emotions and focused on work.
Keep a Positive Mindset: I shifted my concentration to the excitement of starting fresh in a new place, rather than stressing over the details.
Allow Yourself to Rest: Rests are essential for your body and mind to recharge. I took breaks when I could and gave myself time to relax amidst the packing and holiday tasks.
Create a Moving Timeline: To simplify everything, I broke the whole procedure into smaller tasks. Creating a checklist with deadlines helped me stay on track and reduced anxiety.
Celebrate in Your New Home: Once everything was sorted, I participated in all the holiday traditions in my new space. I invited a small gathering of friends and family, and we celebrated together with a cozy meal.
Conclusion
It is a fact that moving during the holidays presents unique challenges, but trust me, with a little extra planning, flexibility, and a positive attitude, it is possible to navigate this busy season without too much stress.
You can make everything easier for you by booking your movers early, staying prepared for inclement weather, managing your time effectively, budgeting wisely, and embracing the changes. You can make your long-distance move a success and finally, celebrate the holiday season in your new home.
