Five ways to remain sane before a big move

There are ways you can retain your sanity as you embark on one of life’s greatest stresses – relocating. 

Marie-Kondo your house

When your name becomes a verb, you know you’ve done something right. To Marie-Kondo your house simply means to spark joy in your life by tidying up. This also involves getting rid of excess stuff that weighs you down emotionally and clutters up your living space. 

Before moving, one of the most beneficial things you can do is limit the amount of baggage you will be taking with you. The less stuff you have, the easier, and cheaper, it is to move. 

If you struggle with letting go, enlist the help of friends and family who can help you be brutal with your belongings – they may even want to take some of your things off your hands. 

Digitise whatever you can

Shipping CDs and DVDs across the world in 2019 is a ridiculous notion. There are places where you can easily get your precious home videos digitised. As for commercial DVDs, those are an entirely unnecessary weight to take with you and should be donated to a worthy cause.

Set up a WhatsApp group with your closest friends

When interviewed about emigration, almost every person who has made a move overseas will tell you that the thing they miss most is their friendships. Whilst almost all other aspects of living can be replicated, close relationships are hard to recreate, and a WhatsApp group that keeps you in touch with those you love will help you to feel connected – even when you are miles apart. 

Book a holiday for a year’s time

Reward yourself for your big move by booking a holiday.

Depending on your budget, decide on the destination and then book somewhere special – either in your home country or somewhere new in your new country. It’ll give you something to look forward to, and when you go, it’ll give you a chance to reflect on all you have achieved in the first year away from home. 

Make a scrapbook

This works well, especially if you have children who are moving with you. Get them excited about their new home by showing them pictures and videos of where they’ll be. Print pictures of places you’ll visit or your rental house. If you have information on their schools, print that out and add it to their keepsake. 

Getting your children involved in your move will give them a sense of importance and will increase their excitement. Creating something they can keep will also serve as a lovely reminder of this period in their life. 

Making a move?

The experts at 1st Move International will go out of their way to help make your move as streamlined as possible. Contact them for a quote so that they can help make your move and straightforward and painless as possible.

Also read: Five things foreigners love about living in South Africa