Tips for Reducing Moving Day Stress During Your PCS

PCS got you stressed? The best way to handle all the extras that come with a military move is to create an action plan. We’ve got you covered from the initial planning all the way through unpacking the very last box.

Even though a permanent change of station (PCS) can come with its fair share of stress, changes, and uncertainty, that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of this unique experience and military life. Every PCS is an adventure with its own challenges and opportunities.

A successful move involves many tasks. Early planning reduces stress during the entire process, but especially as the move date approaches. Create a detailed move checklist, including start and end dates, to keep your planning on track. Include key event dates (e.g., move-out notice, movers arrive, etc.). Be sure to allow enough time for completing contingent tasks prior to these dates.

A dedicated binder to keep all important documents together helps keep you organized. Have a tab for each task associated with the move. Mark the dates you need to finish certain tasks, such as scheduling your household goods move, filing your military travel claim, and setting up your housing.

Don’t pack what you don’t need or use. One task you can start early is to purge your home of items you no longer need or use. Sort through your belongings, room by room, to determine what you still need and use and what to leave behind. If you have lived in the same place for several years, you tend to accumulate nonessential or unused items.

The three-pile method makes sorting and decluttering a little bit more strategic. Within each room, create three separate piles: a “keep” pile, a “donate or sell” pile, and a “discard” pile. As you declutter, put each item in one of the piles. This can help keep you from getting too overwhelmed by the job.

Take donations to a local Goodwill, thrift store, or community service center. Some installations have thrift stores that resell donated items to raise money for base activities. Others have a donation closet that provides basic household necessities to newly-arrived service members and their families to use while they wait for their own shipment. Keep records of donated items for potential tax deductions. If time permits, turn those unused items into cash with a yard sale. Lastly, dispose of any damaged or broken items that can no longer be used.

Keep in mind that when you prepare for a military move, you have a PCS weight allowance limit. Your military move expenses won’t cover anything above this limit, and you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket to ship it to your new home. Military gear and professional materials are excluded from your household goods weight limit and are weighed separately.

When your boxes and household goods arrive at your new home, the professional movers will most likely drop them off in the most convenient room or area of your home, unless you have another system in place. A packing plan helps keep things organized, making it much easier to set up your new place.

• Pack Systematically: Prioritize your rooms and pack one room at a time.
• Clearly Label Boxes: Be sure to clearly label each box with the room name and contents: for example, “John’s Room/Clothes.” These labels help both identify what’s in the box and where it needs to go in your new home. Clearly label/mark any boxes containing fragile items.
• Color-Code Boxes: This is a quick way to identify which room they need to go in. For example, you can use a red marker to draw red lines on all boxes of kitchen items, so when you arrive, all you have to do is tell the movers to put all red boxes in the kitchen.
• Take Photos: Snap a quick pic or take a video of high-value items to reference in case they’re broken or lost during the move. Even if you have insurance on these items, most companies want proof of the original condition. Ensure that you can clearly see serial numbers and model numbers, if applicable.
• Pack Daily Use Items Last: Pack items that you need during your move in a suitcase. Pack as if you are going on a vacation, so you have everything you need in the suitcase and don’t have to start going through boxes. It’s also helpful to have a “first night essentials” box to unpack quickly upon arrival.

Moving day often comes with a lot of stress, so the more you take care in advance, the easier it will be. Confirm with your moving company when to expect them to arrive on moving day. Most must do a pre-move walk-through to know what needs to be packed and if any special equipment is required. You can review the expected schedule during this walk-through, which typically takes place around a week before the move. If you have special parking requirements around your home, be sure to communicate them to your movers as well. Check out AHRN’s military movers guide for more information.

If you have small children or pets, make arrangements for their care on your pack-out day. Getting everything in boxes is tedious and often takes the majority of the day or even multiple days. The last thing you want to worry about is keeping track of small children or pets underfoot.

Designate a place or even a room for items that the movers shouldn’t pack. These can include important documents you plan to carry with you, keys to your vehicle or home, and a basic toolkit for when you arrive at your new home. You may also want to have a specific box of first-night essentials labeled, making it easy to identify when it’s time to unpack.

Moving is stressful… period. It’s easy to let the moving process take temporary control of your life. Be sure to take some time to relax and spend time with family. Don’t let the moving process strain your family relationships, adding to everyone’s stress. Try to keep the move a positive experience for everyone!

As you pack and unpack, build in time for fun and breaks. Playing upbeat music can keep the mood light and relieve tension. Podcasts or audiobooks give you something to focus on as you go through boxes. Also, take care of your physical health by staying hydrated and setting aside time for snacks and meals.

Moving can also add stress for other family members and make it hard to stay connected. Prioritize checking in with each other, whether that’s taking time for a family game, having a dance party in the midst of packing, or simply talking as you work.

You may think that once you have the keys to your new home, the move is over. But unpacking can come with its own set of challenges and stresses. Start by setting up at least one area or room that provides comfort, such as a bedroom, so you can get a good rest every night. Consider also taking time to set up the family dining table or a cozy area in your living room to relax.

Familiar items make your new house start to feel more like home quickly. Put up photos or special mementos that remind you of all the fun times you’ve had as a family. Celebrate each time you get to the end of a new box or achieve another milestone of settling in.

Moving can be stressful, and when you do it frequently in the military, those challenges start to accumulate. Fortunately, following a few tips and tricks will keep your move an exciting experience rather than a daunting one. AHRN’s PCS Toolkit will help you not just maintain your sanity during a move, but also make the most of the time and opportunities of military life.

Getting organized with important documents and deadlines is a fantastic way to set yourself up for a stress-free move. AHRN’s PCS Toolkit features a step-by-step guide to keep you on track and ready for your military move.

A few basic tools, such as screwdrivers and wrenches, ensure that you can disassemble or reassemble any furniture you may need. Keeping extra packing tape and materials on hand is also helpful. Things to keep kids and pets safe and occupied can be helpful and make the day a little easier for you. Finally, have snacks and water to keep your energy up throughout moving day.

Some of the best ways to help manage family stress during a move are to prioritize open communication and strong connections. Talk about how the move is going, how everyone is feeling, and what everyone needs to feel supported during this monumental event. Don’t forget to have fun so you’re ready to explore all that your new home and community have to offer.