The funny thing about moving is how anti-climatic it always feels once the move is completed. So much time and energy is dedicated to the actual act of moving, that many people find that as soon as their belongings are settled into their new address, they lack the energy and interest to even think about unpacking them. Others find that while they managed the months leading up to the move just fine, this final stage is just too overwhelming for them to deal with.
The good news is that we have some post-moving tips that will help you settle into your new life.
Budget Your Time
The odds are pretty good that you became an expert time budgeter while you were planning the move. You got really good at knowing exactly what had to be done and when it needed to be done. Don’t let those skills slip away now that move is done.
Instead of thinking you need to tackle the entire unpacking thing at once, give yourself permission to take it in stages, and set time goals for yourself. For example, make a deal with yourself that you’ll unpack three boxes a day. Only unpack those three boxes each day and make sure you reward yourself. If you want to be settled into the home by a certain date, figure out how long it takes you to unpack each box and divide that by the number of days you have left.
Don’t push your unpacking goal to the end of the day. Start the task as early as possible so that it’s done and out of the way, leaving you time to explore your new home.
Create a Checklist
Checklists are just as important when you’re trying to settle into a new home as they are when you’re planning the move. Make a list of all the things you need to do such as contacting the phone company, finding new doctors, and learning how to navigate your new hometown. Set a date when you want to complete each task. Not only will this make the enormous pile of things you need to accomplish seem more manageable, but it also reduces the risk that you’ll forget to do something important.
Give Yourself Permission to Explore
You’re going to enjoy things a lot more if you don’t get so wrapped up in trying to unpack and get organized if you give yourself a chance to explore. Exploring your new hometown doesn’t just mean learning the fastest route to the grocery store. Treat this as an adventure. For example, allow yourself to turn down random roads just to see where they live or challenge yourself to find the best ice cream in town. You’ll find that this little exploratory outing serve as micro-vacations.