Relocating can be a stressful time. There are countless considerations to keep in mind and there’s always that feeling in the back of your mind that something could go wrong. Maybe you neglect an item, maybe you throw something away that you didn’t intend to, or maybe you simply just forget about your boxes of items and you dread the thought of unpacking everything again. It can be tiring and incredibly time-consuming.

But whether you’re moving across the country or simply down the road, there are plenty of ways to have a smooth move. If you want your next relocation to go well, then here are a couple of simple ways to remove the stress out of it.

Create a Checklist

First of all, make a plan. If you don’t have a plan, you’ll be confused and lost when it actually comes to moving day. Ensure that you have plenty of leeway if you’re making a schedule, and try to base your checklist around the rooms that you have in your home. For instance, create a checklist for the living room and write down all of the important things that you need to remember to pack.

Hire Reputable Movers

Unless you have a friend with a lot of spare time and a large vehicle, you’re going to want to hire moving services like MyBekins. While renting a large van or truck is an option, you need to actually drive it (or get someone to do it) and load all of the items in and out yourself. With a reputable mover on your side, the entire process is streamlined, easy, and you don’t even need to lift a muscle.

Take Time Off

You need to be flexible during the moving process especially if it involves a lot of people. In addition to taking time off for the sake of lining up your schedules, it’s also a good idea to take time off work so you can focus on the move. Instead of mixing stress from both your relocation and your work, separate them and plan ahead so you get a couple of days or even a week off to move home.

Declutter Beforehand

Before you start packing up your bags and filling up boxes full of furniture and items, make sure you declutter a few weeks before the moving process starts. You can get rid of rubbish, clean up the house, do a little spring clean and generally make it easier for you to pack up. You don’t want to pack up useless items and junk that you won’t be using, so sell, recycle or trash them to make your move a little lighter.

Keep Important Documents Safe

Make sure you pack essential documents separately so that they don’t go missing. For instance, your passport, birth certificate, wills and any other important pieces of paper that are critical to your well-being. You also want to store important medication separately as well so it’s easily accessible during the hustle and bustle of the move.