Moving as a Couple: Staying Sane While Moving Together

Moving is stressful. Period. It doesn’t matter if you’re packing up a home or an apartment, or if you’re moving down the street or across the country; this process takes an immense amount of time, planning and patience to get through it. You’ll also need an extra helping of sanity if you’re orchestrating the move with a spouse or partner because countless decisions, moving fails and disagreements are going to come up. Here are some ways to tackle moving as a couple without weakening the bond of your relationship.

To Take or Not to Take: That is the Question

Your husband may want to take those stinky cleats that he wore when his high school team won the championship or your wife may have sentimental feelings for the baking soda and vinegar volcano that she made with her dad back in the fifth grade. We all have precious memories tied to things that may look like junk to someone else but are priceless artifacts to our personal history. Here’s the key thing to ask your partner (and yourself): who has space for that junk? Toss it! Your solution: decide on how much storage space you have in the new location and agree upon how much of it will be used for keepsakes. Maybe you have a garage with shelves and decide that each person gets one or two storage bins for memories. Or perhaps you have a large attic that you can fill with these treasures. If your new place is tight on storage, decide which size storage unit is right for you.

Don’t forget to  research the best way to store these irreplaceable items to preserve their condition. You don’t want to keep grandma’s quilt in a box in the attic, and you might want to avoid putting your old science fair volcano next to the very hot boiler.

Deciding On Your Decorating Style for a Family Move

Source: Residence Design

While this may sound like you’re putting the cart before the horse, this can help you to decide what to pack and what to trash or donate for a family move. Your partner may want to hang up their 1990’s inspirational lighthouse picture with a black lacquer frame while you may want the family room to be adorned with antique silver, china and roses. Instead of starting a screaming match before you’ve even unpacked your kitchen, consider creating zones for your new home. Put the lighthouse picture in the home office and sequester the cottage style – and breakable antiques – to the living or dining room (and away from any kids or pets). Or, if you both hate each other’s style, this could be a fresh start and an interior decorator can help to mediate the decisions so you can find common ground. If that’s an added expense that’s not in the budget, peruse magazines or decorating shows to find out what you both like such as neutral colors or traditional design.

You’re Not Packing It Right!

Source: Apple Storage

One partner may have OCD and can spend two hours carefully packing each fork in bubble wrap while the other partner tosses dishes into a box and quickly moves on to the next item. This is definitely fertile ground for an argument. Consider using expert packing tips-and-tricks to avoid argument over whose style is better. Even easier? Divide up the packing tasks so each person will be happy. The meticulous wrapper can address the breakables and small items and the get-it-done person can pack pillows, blankets, towels, pots and anything else that can be tossed haphazardly in a box. The important part here is to agree upon labeling the outside of each box so that when it’s time to unpack, you’ll know what’s inside each box and where it belongs.

Establish a Plan of Attack

Source: Blog.Rent

Moving is one of the most stressful and emotional events in life. You may wonder, “Are we doing the right thing?” “Can we afford the new place?” “How can we leave all these memories behind?” Feelings are running high and things will go wrong. That’s why it’s crucial to come up with a written down checklist and estimated moving costs so you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into before you even begin. Packing will take longer than you think, so start way ahead of time. Buy plenty of boxes, packing tape, permanent markers and bubble wrap so you won’t waste time running to the store. Print out a timeline of when you want each room to be packed and let anyone who is helping you know how to label the boxes. If you both know what you’re getting into, you’ll be less stressed come moving day – meaning you spend less time yelling at each other and more time unpacking.

Take a Break from Moving as a Couple

Source: Fanpop

You’re probably thinking, “There’s a million things to do. How in the world are we going to take a break!?!?” But for the health of your relationship, you need to take a break. Go out to dinner and just like on your computer, press the F5 “refresh” button. Refocus on why you’re moving, where you’re moving, the opportunities that will arise in the new place and what exciting memories you’ll make there. Talk about what you’re most excited about in your new place, and all the fun memories you’ll get to make together once you’ve settled in. Taking time to breathe and meditating on the good things will prepare you for the huge tasks ahead.

While we don’t provide couple’s therapy, Dolly can help to eliminate much of the stress on moving day. Our Helpers can load and unload all of your boxes and furniture so that you can be in charge and direct where everything goes. Whether you’re moving in together for the first time or moving on to your new home, we can help you to transition into the next chapter of your life so that you can start making new memories together as a couple.

Featured photo sourced from the New York Times.