Moving into a new living space can be an arduous process at the best of times. You have to pack up everything you own and endure the stress that comes with moving it all into an unfamiliar environment. You may even realize that you own more things than you thought you did! Unfortunately, things can get more difficult if you find yourself moving during the winter. The elements will conspire against you, and you need to take extra precautions to make sure you and your valuables are safe during the transition. While this might be a frustrating experience in the moment, there are ways to make moving during the winter more manageable, and it all starts with how you pack. Use this guide to help you pack during the winter months.

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Get a head start on packing

If you are going to be moving during the winter, you have to get a head start on packing. Packing is not exactly the most enjoyable task, with it taking a massive amount of time to stuff all your belongings into boxes or bags, but it won't take care of itself. It can be easy to procrastinate packing until it's almost time to move, but when you know the weather could be a factor, it's best to be on your game. In situations like these, there are variables you can't control (like the weather) and variables you can control (whether or not you have packed on time). Sometimes, your plans can be disrupted by factors outside of your control, but when they aren't, you don't want your move to be delayed because you were too lazy to pack when you had the opportunity. Additionally, if the area you are currently in or moving to is experiencing particularly horrid conditions, having all your belongings packed allows you to be nimble, and you can potentially begin moving before you originally planned so as to avoid a nasty storm.

Try to mitigate weather hazards

If you're relocating during the winter, you will inevitably have to deal with the weather. Different conditions can affect how easy or difficult the move is, but some can derail your schedule entirely. If you live in (or are moving to) an area where snow is prevalent, be ready to shovel. It's important to remove snow and give yourself clean walkways so you can take things out of or into your place in a safe manner. Snow can impede your vision of the ground as well as your movement, potentially resulting in you dropping or destroying your belongings. Even after the snow is removed, check to see if the ground is covered in ice. Just because the snow has been removed doesn't mean you're in the clear. If you're carrying a big box that obstructs your view of your feet, you may step on a surface covered in a thin layer of ice causing you to topple. Invest in de-icer spray to ensure you can move your belongings without fear of harm to them or your body.

Enlist the help of others

If you have a lot of belongings to move from one home to the next, you may want to consider bringing in additional help to ensure everything is relocated in a timely manner. Hired help moving companies specialize in taking big obtuse objects like furniture and fitting them into your new space. They will also be more experienced with how to deal with the weather if it becomes a factor during the move, and can suggest alternate strategies or days to move if the conditions are nicer. Moving companies like these do cost money, so that is something to consider if you are short on cash, but if that is not an issue, hiring help can give you the peace of mind of knowing your belongings are being handled by professionals. Alternatively, if you want to save money and have friends in the area, you can invite them to help with your move. Friends can be great resources when it comes to moving because they can help you at more flexible hours, and don't require large fees. Still, when you have finished, it's nice to thank them with a small gift, like sharing a meal together.

Nobody likes the process of moving. Sure, it can be fun and exciting to get out of wherever you were living and into someplace new, but the actual act of packing everything you own up and transferring it over is often long and boring. Moving during the winter months gets even more complicated, as the weather will present new challenges you can't predict. Thankfully, there are a variety of strategies you can use to make the move more digestible. Using the advice in this guide, you'll be able to conquer your winter move with ease.