Orchestrating a PCS move can be very stressful, but here are a few basic tips that can help reduce the stress of a PCS move.
- Start Planning Early
There are many tasks involved with a successful move. The most important task is to start planning for your move early. Early planning reduces stress during the entire move process and especially as the move date approaches. Create a detailed move checklist along with start and end dates to keep your planning on track. Include key event dates (ie., provide move out notice, movers arrive, etc.) and be sure to allow enough time for contingent tasks to be completed prior to these dates.
- Declutter Your Home
Don’t’ pack what you don’t need or use. One task you can start early is to start purging your home of items that you no longer need or use. Sort through your belongings room by room to determine what you still need/use and what can be left behind. If you have lived in the same place for a number of years you tend to accumulate items that are no longer used. Take donations to a local Goodwill, thrift store, or community service center. Keep records of donated items for potential tax deductions.
If time permits, turn those unused items into cash with a yard sale. Lastly, trash or recycle any damaged or broken items that can no longer be used.
Check your moving entitlement/weight allowance HERE.
- Create a Packing Plan
It’s time to pack! However, don’t start packing until you have created a packing plan. A packing plan will save both time and frustration throughout the packing process. Here are a few basic packing tips:
- 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/Cloths”. This will help both in identifying what’s in the box and where it needs to be placed at your new home. Clearly label/mark any boxes containing fragile items.
- Pack Daily Use Items Last: Pack items that you will need during your move in a suitcase. Pack as if you were going on a vacation so you have everything you need within the suitcase and don’t have to start going through boxes.
- Keep Calm – Move on!
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 move process affect your family relationships, creating even more stress for everyone. Try to keep the move a positive experience for everyone!