Moving to a new place requires planning, organization, lots of energy, and a clear and calm mind. That’s why those who have experienced moving houses more than once choose to leave the literal heavy lifting to professionals to avoid getting stressed out. In fact, a recent study shows that people who move frequently are more stressed than those who don’t. Given that relocating can take a toll on one’s mental health and energy stores, should you attempt a cross-country move on your own?
Relocating to a nearby city or town is anything but a piece of cake, and doing a cross-country move by yourself will definitely present a host of new challenges once you drive away from your former residence. But like the saying goes, where there’s a will, there’s a way. That being said, you’ll need to know what kind of issues you may experience so you can be prepared to tackle them before leaving and while you’re on the road. Here’s what you can expect on moving day, and ways to manage a cross-country move on your own.
Not Enough Space in Your Vehicle
Not having enough space in their vehicle is one of the biggest problems that most people have to face while attempting a cross-country move on their own. A lot of people assume that they have more room for extra bags or boxes, only to find out at the very last minute that there’s simply no way that they can fit everything into their car. For this reason, you’ll need to be serious about decluttering and downsizing months before moving day. Sell, donate, or give away things that you don’t need, then pack the rest of your stuff in boxes. Ask a friend or relative to ship the boxes to you once you arrive at your new place. The goal is to travel light– well, as lightly as you can while driving a vehicle with a lifetime’s worth of belongings in it.
As for your ride, you’ll need a fuel-efficient vehicle with hauling capacity, such as a pickup truck. If it has off-roading capabilities, that’s even better since it’s tough to predict road conditions ahead of time. To create more space for your things, consider renting a trailer and attach it to your vehicle with a trailer hitch. Check your vehicle’s manual to know the manufacturer’s maximum recommended towing weight since exceeding the limit will cause harm to your transmission and engine.
Fatigue and Feeling Sleepy While on the Road
You will need lots of energy on moving day, so plan on getting things done the day before your long drive, and don’t wait to do things at the last minute to avoid rushing and getting stressed. Get enough sleep the night before, and have breakfast at a cafe or diner before starting your journey. See to it that you stay hydrated by bringing some drinking water in a spill-proof tumbler, and have a few snacks on hand to replenish your energy throughout the day.
Though it’s understandable that you’d want to arrive at your new home as soon as you can, keep in mind that you don’t need to drive for hours and hours just so you can quickly get to your destination. Take breaks every now and then, and do some stretching exercises to prevent muscle pain and stiffness. If you’re feeling sleepy, stop at a safe place and take a nap, or sleep at a hotel, inn, or motel for the night. Never attempt to drive while you’re sleepy as there are real risks that come with drowsy driving. In fact, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, about 328,000 drowsy driving crashes occur every year. More than 100,000 of those crashes resulted in an injury, while 6,400 were fatal. Tune in to what your body is telling you, and make time for meals, a bit of exercise, naps, and a full night’s sleep to refresh and recharge you for the next day.
Getting Overwhelmed While Unpacking
You’ve finally arrived at your new place, and now it’s time to unpack. The unpacking process can be overwhelming, especially if you’re doing it all on your own. But by coming up with a strategy, you can have everything in its proper place, minus the grumbling and frustrated yelling.
One way to go about things is to unpack boxes for certain rooms. You may want to consider unpacking things for your bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom upon arrival since you’ll likely use these three areas on your first day at your new home. Make it fun by playing some music while you work, and have some takeout delivered so you don’t have to worry about making your meal. Put away all the boxes, then the next day, continue unpacking until you’re done.
Going on a cross-country move on your own can be challenging, but if you prepare for the big day, you can have an enjoyable experience. To have a hassle-free move, consider booking a moving company to help you throughout the process, and be sure to book in advance to have the smoothest cross-country move ever.
We hope you found this blog post Manage a Cross-Country Move On Your Own: What To Expect On The Big Day, useful. Be sure to check out our post Ways To Move Cross Country for more great tips!
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