Moving house is definitely one of the most stressful things you can do in your life. It is thought to be one of the toughest after divorce or loss!

Living in London with renting, buying, changes in family size, we have unfortunately moved a lot of times. Maybe 6 now in 10 years! Each time we move I remember a part of the process that I never want to do by myself again.

Thankfully there are various ways you can make your life easier and these are my top tips for an easier transition.

1. Go Marie Kondo

This is the perfect time to declutter. Whatever doesn’t bring you joy, recycle, re-gift, throw away or donate. You can even make some extra cash while sorting through your items, recycling Apple products, and other electronics you no longer use with online recycling sites.  

After all, a new home is always a fresh start. You want to only bring items with meaning, or function. The rest should be left behind.

2. Food

Use the weeks before the move to use up all the food in the freezer and cupboards that could be perfectly good meals but you never get round to making.

You don’t want to take out of date spices and condiments that have been hiding at the back of the fridge. What about that homemade soup in the freezer?

Use it all up and make a list of which items would be useful in your new home and those you never ever eat!

3. The ‘How’

Think about ‘how’ you will move your belongings .

Are you a family who need full removal services, where a company will pack everything, transport it and unpack? This can take away a great deal of stress so if this suits you; take a look at these removal prices.

Do you prefer to be hands on and just need a van and a bit of help with heavy lifting? Try using a cheap man with a van service. We’ve done this lots of times.

Or maybe you just need a removal van to hire. These are perfect if you have no children and can get on with things yourself, quickly.

4. Packing

We all hate it but if you do this part properly it will save you time and upset! Unless you pay for a removal company to pack for you there are a few things you will need.

Buy in advance some reasonably sturdy boxes or try and get them free from your local supermarket.

Don’t buy too big! This is very tempting because it’s satisfying how much you can fit in. BUT you will not be able to lift the boxes once full.

You will also need packing tape, bubble wrap and labels or a thick black pen to write on the boxes where the items should go. Believe me you will forget what is in each box.

Gather the boxes together and put one in each room for a few weeks before a move. Gradually you will start to fill them or sift through items and realise they aren’t needed. This takes away the big scary job of packing up a whole house in one go. But in case you are having a hard time packing all your stuff by yourself, then might as well book a packing service. Typically, moving companies provide this type of service but you may need to add an extra fee. If you need to pack and move bulky sofa sets, then you should check out these companies in London that specialize in furniture removals. 

5. Plan for the first week

Keep separately everything you might need for the first few days or preferably the first week.

If you can put these in a distinctive box or suitcase that you personally take with you to your new home all the better.

This way you will have clothes , toiletries and school uniforms/bags! All the things you don’t want to be searching for straight away.

If you’d like to be super organised, create an online food order to be delivered the day after you arrive.

Then you will be snug, fed and your new house will start to feel like a home!

6. Recycle and Make Some Money from Your Old Stuff

Make sure nothing goes to waste! Sell your unwanted clothes and belongings on eBay if they're still in good shape.

Have you considered selling your old iPhone? Find the best price for your iPhone by comparing prices using Freedom Mobiles. This website has a detailed list of the leading online mobile recyclers. You will find recyclers with 5-star reviews once you visit the site.

**This is a collaborative post**