Moving house is often cited as one of life’s most stressful events, right up there with bereavement and divorce.

But unlike bereavement and divorce, you can plan and take control of your home move to lower your stress levels.

Get organised

Once your home move is confirmed you will look at your belongings and realise just how much you have accrued. The task of sorting it all out and packing can be extremely daunting.

Start early and begin a clear out room by room. This is the time to be strict with yourself and accept it may not be possible to take everything you have accumulated to your new home.

Be sustainable

If you don’t use it consider donating it to charity, use social media to offer unwanted items free for collection (one person’s junk is another’s treasure), or recycle where possible. If you can’t sell or donate any large items, your local council will usually collect and remove a number of items for a reasonable price.

If items are not going to fit in your new abode but you really don’t want to part with them, consider a safe storage solution.

Don’t be last minute

While there are lots of things in our homes we use all the time, there are plenty of items we want to keep but only use them periodically. So start early and pack up what you can do without in advance. This will help you declutter and give you a clear view of how much work there is to do ahead of your move.

Complete the paperwork

You will be amazed at how many people and organisations you need to inform of your change of address. Make a list of all your subscription services and contacts so you don’t leave any out. You will need to complete final meter readings on moving day. You could also be without some essential services for a few days in your new home so prepare and plan for that.

Get a checklist

There is so much to think about when moving house that some things may easily slip your mind. Try using this checklist for moving house with a timeline of what you need to do and when. It will keep your planning and schedule on track and ease the stress.

We must all consider the environment so work with your moving company to find the best solutions to keep your carbon footprint as low as possible, such as eco-friendly packaging.

Then enjoy your new home.