It’s final – you are moving. While you’re excited to start at the new job awaiting you in another state, uprooting your entire life is not easy, especially as the COVID situation and regulations are rapidly changing. Here are four reminders to help you relocate smoothly and in good health during the pandemic.
Get All The Help You Need
Moving is challenging; even shifting your items through the door can be a headache! Engaging professional cross country movers can help you relieve the immense stress of figuring out how to move everything alone.
Get help to pack, store your belongings, and remove unwanted items from your home with minimal hassle. Outsourcing the tricky, laborious tasks early in your preparation can free up your time and energy to complete other personal tasks that you can’t delegate to others.
Moving doesn’t only tire you physically but mentally and emotionally too. Despite the constant self pep talk, you can’t shake off the nagging feeling that you haven’t added a particular task to your to-do list. You also find yourself doubting your decision from time to time, wondering if you can adapt to a new environment and support yourself financially there.
But preparing for a move will leave you with little time and energy to spend on your loved ones, making the preparation more isolating and distressing for you. Rallying your family and friends to help pack your belongings, accompany you on your errands or deliver your boxes for donation, can help support you emotionally and help you to stay on track with your preparation.
Transfer or Look for New Utility Providers
Check with your existing utility providers if they are available in your new state. This list includes your Internet service, water, and electricity. Besides informing them about your move, you should also schedule an installation date or look for new providers in your new state altogether.
The expenses you will incur for the move are hefty, but you can start saving on your future expenses even before the move. Review the utilities you have now; you may want to stop your cable TV subscription for good or change to a more affordable Internet service plan that better suits your usage.
Besides ensuring that you aren’t incurring extra costs for utilities, having the essential utilities up and running at your new home can create a warm welcome and ease you into unpacking and organizing your belongings over the next few days and weeks.
You won’t have to worry about not having water or electricity to prepare simple meals or an Internet connection to troubleshoot (every answer is an online search away!) and keep up to speed with the latest news and health regulations.
Sort Out Your Personal Documents
Regulations differ from state to state. Before moving, check if you have completed the necessary paperwork for entry. In particular, ensure that you meet the vaccination requirements ahead of your move. If you are on any long-term medication, stock up in advance to keep up with your regular prescription while looking for a new health practitioner.
Unpacking and organizing your new home can come with its fair share of cuts and scratches; pack some basic first-aid equipment to treat any wounds during the move. Update your health insurance coverage to ensure that your plan is in force even after moving across states. This will help defray any health-related expenses you might incur.
Besides your health-related documents, you may also need to update other essential personal documents, including your mail and licenses. If you haven’t already done so, differentiate the documents you can update before and after your move. Creating two separate lists will help you focus on what you can do now and plan for what you can only do after moving.
Before moving, update your new address with the postal service and government agencies. This will ensure that you don’t miss out on important mail such as your Social Security and bank letters. After moving, you may also need to register for a new driver’s license or pet license if you have pets in tow.
Honor The Process
Preparing to move can be overwhelming as you race against time to complete your to-do list. Instead of powering through when you are tired, taking a 10-minutes breather or calling it a day can clear your mind and sustain your energy to tackle your to-do list more effectively. Prioritizing your health during the preparation can also prevent you from falling sick, setting you back in your move.
As you move out of a home where you have spent most of your life and start anew in an unfamiliar environment, savor the moving process. The transition is not any less important than your final destination. Take stock of your growth and appreciate what you have as you transit from home to home.