For many families, summer is the season of new beginnings. Longer days, warm weather, and flexible schedules make it an ideal time to move. But with over 60% of annual moves happening between May and September, it can also be one of the busiest, most stressful times to relocate.
At Caring Transitions, we believe that with the right plan and support, your summer move can feel like a fresh start rather than an overwhelming hurdle. Here are our top strategies to navigate your move with clarity and confidence:
Declutter Before You Pack
Don’t pack a single box until you’ve decluttered. Moving is the perfect opportunity to reassess what items truly add value to your life.
- Start room by room: Identify what you use daily, what holds meaningful memories, and what can be donated, sold, or discarded.
- Know your new space: Review the layout of your next home to determine what fits and what won’t.
- Create a vision: Imagine how you want each room to feel. This will guide decisions about furniture, decor, and belongings.
Decluttering before packing not only reduces the number of boxes but also creates a sense of lightness and clarity for your next chapter.
Organize Your Belongings Strategically
- Inventory everything: Make a list of essential items and categorize by room.
- Decide what to sell or donate: Consider hosting an estate sale or online auction with Caring Transitions to simplify this process.
- Purge what no longer serves you: If you haven’t used it in a year, it’s likely time to let it go.
Creating an organized approach ensures that unpacking will feel intentional and stress-reducing rather than chaotic.
Plan Ahead for Services and Supplies
Summer is peak moving season, so it’s crucial to plan weeks in advance:
- Schedule utility connections and disconnections early
- Arrange mail forwarding and update addresses with insurance providers
- Reserve moving trucks, packing materials, and other supplies in advance to avoid premium costs
Thinking ahead reduces last-minute headaches and allows you to focus on the emotional and logistical aspects of the move.
Pack with a Purpose
Packing is more than just boxing up items—it’s preparing for a new environment:
- Start early: Pack over time to reduce fatigue and decision overwhelm
- Prepare an essentials kit: Include toiletries, clothes, bedding, snacks, and medications for easy access during the first few days
- Label everything clearly: Note the destination room and contents of each box
- Use proper packing techniques: Place heavy items at the bottom and fill empty spaces with lighter materials to prevent shifting
- Keep valuables close: Personally transport important documents, heirlooms, and medications for security and peace of mind
Move Mindfully in the Heat
Summer heat adds another layer of challenge to moving day. Remember to:
- Stay hydrated throughout the process
- Schedule heavy lifting for early mornings or evenings
- Wear light, breathable clothing to stay comfortable
Prioritizing your health and safety ensures you arrive at your new home feeling energized rather than depleted.
Visualize Your New Beginning
Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or relocating to a senior living community, moving is about more than just logistics—it’s about creating a space that reflects your current life stage and future goals.
Take time to imagine how you want your new home to look, feel, and function. This mental preparation can transform the process from daunting to inspiring.
How Caring Transitions Can Help
From decluttering and organizing to estate sales and relocation services, Caring Transitions is here to guide you every step of the way. Our compassionate team specializes in:
Ready to make your summer move empowering and stress-reducing? Contact Caring Transitions of Edmonds, Mukilteo, Marysville & North Puget Sound today to discover how we can help you create a confident new beginning.