Relocation from one place to another can be tedious and stressful, as you are typically forced to uproot your family and leave your friends  and career behind to start over again in a completely new place. A stress-free move requires prior planning, organization and sensitively dealing with various aspects of one's life like friends, family and employers. Here's everything you need to keep in mind when preparing for your move. Getting organized
Consider the following when preparing in advance of your move:
- Make an inventory of items to be moved and categorize them by room
- After obtaining estimates from at least three moving companies, plan the date of the move
- De-clutter your closets, sheds, toys and bookcases
- Schedule a garage sale or donate items that you are not going to need to charity
- Make a time table of what you need to do three weeks in advance to prepare for your moving day
- For example, defrosting your refrigerator, exhausting all your cleaning supplies, food items, and fuel from lawn movers, gas grills and motorcycles
TIP: All your important documents like personal records for healthcare, educational documents and work experience documents for your new employer, as well as banking-related documents, should be organized and kept in a secure and accessible place away from the rest of your moving stuff.
Handling utility services
To find out what procedures are necessary to return deposits and disconnect various services, prepare to contact your:
- Telephone company
- Electric
- Cable
- Security company
- Lawn care services
- Any other services that require final billing
The Canada Post needs to also be informed about your change of address and the date of your move. They will supply you with a "mover's kit" that can be used for preparing correspondents and publications about your change of address.
Homeowner's insurance also has to be reviewed and the proper authorities need to be informed of any changes.
Informing friends and employers
Although moving has far-reaching implications on your own life, it can also affect those around you like your friends and employers.
- Telling friends is typically a more personal task
- Prepare their feelings before yours and have an honest conversation
- Give prior notice about your moving schedule to your employer
- The payroll department should be notified if you are moving to a province or territory with different tax policies
- This may eventually affect the amount held from your paycheck
Preparing your kids and teens for the move
Relocating with young kids can be tedious and overwhelming. Here are some ways to ease that tension.
 Take care of younger children
- Make kids part of the decision-making process during your move
- Obtain necessary records from their current school
- Get your kids registered in new schools
- Talk to your teens about their emotions
- Discuss moving away from friends
- Look into whether their new school with have their old activities (sports, music, drama, etc.)
- Focus on only the best parts of the move
- Allow them to make their own to-do lists to keep them distracted
Coping with moving stress
The very process of relocation - leaving your current location and moving to a new home - is stressful, and because of this, one must focus on the positive changes that the move is going to usher in. There are many ways to beat the stress, such as:
- Staying organized and planning ahead
- Taking a brisk walk to cope with stress
- Trying aromatherapy or meditation
- A short vacation which can help you cope with and prepare for the stress of moving
Dealing with culture shock
Culture shock can be defined as a range of emotions that you experience while you are adjusting to a new culture in a different location.
Ways to cope with culture shock can include:
- Preparing for the new culture (festivals, carnivals, etc. that may be held in your town) through research in books and on the internet
- Connecting with schools and groups in your new area through social media and email
- This will help you build rapport with people and help you learn all about the cultural nuances of your new area
- Learning the local language of your area if it is one you're not familiar with
- Keeping track of your feelings through a blog or diary as an outlet to express yourself
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