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How to Cope with Relocation Depression After a Big Move

A couple sits next to the moving boxes in their new home

Everyone knows a big move can be one of life’s most challenging events, both physically and emotionally. So if you feel stressed or anxious during a move, that is perfectly normal. Many times just the sheer physical exhaustion of moving is enough to throw you into a temporary funk. Making a move can indicate a positive change in our life, like a new job or a new relationship. Still, no matter how positive you expect the move to be, there can be pre-existing depression or even a new feeling of depression that moves with us. It can also happen to anyone, so there is no shame if you begin to feel down during a big move. If you have recognized and determined that you are suffering from relocation depression, here are some things to focus on.

  • Feelings of depression or anxiety are often heightened when you are rushed or forced to move quicker than comfortable. Allow plenty of time to prepare for your move and start the process as early as you can. Expect to need time after the move to get back to normal. If you can, book some time off work to unpack and recover from the physical and mental effort. It will give you space to adjust to the changes.
  • Try to carve out space in your new home that will automatically “feel like home.” Set up a favorite rug, blanket, or pictures that make you feel like you are home. Having this little bit of comfort can help your new home feel safer and more settled. Find a way to integrate the things you love in your new home’s design, and you will see how quickly the space will gain personality and warmth.
  • Recreate some of your old routines. You may have a big desire to push ahead with unpacking, but it might be better for your mental health to stay on an established schedule. Little things such as familiar meals, regular exercise routines, reaching out to friends and family that you usually talk to can go a long way towards easing the transition. In other words, do the things that made you happy in your old place, even if you have to do them in a new way.
  • Find something to be excited about in your new city. Put on your tourist hat and head out and do all the touristy things your new city has to offer. This has the added benefit of giving you a chance to familiarize yourself with the city. Walking increases calmness, so explore the walkable sections of your new city on foot!
  • Try to make relationships in your new city by getting involved with local interest groups, taking a class, volunteering, or extending invitations to neighbors and coworkers to hang out. Just be sure to set realistic expectations about the amount of time it takes to foster new relationships; it can be tricky!
  • Above all else, if your relocation depression or anxiety is debilitating or lingers longer than you think it should, speak with a professional. You may need additional help. 

Moving is stressful, and we want to make sure that we go above and beyond what the competition does to ensure your satisfaction. Zippy Shell is here to take the stress out of your move allowing you to focus on your physical and emotional health during this exciting time. Give us a call today to see how we can help make your move simple.

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How Social Media Can Help Your Move to a New City

A young woman looks at her phone.

A recent survey by LendingTree shows that nearly half of Americans are considering making a move within the next year. Many of those looking to move are wanting to reduce living expenses. Plus, those who work permanently work remotely now have the flexibility to move closer to family or move to an area of the country where they have always wanted to live. If you are among the many who have decided to move to a new location, we have a list of the many ways social media can help you make a move to a new city.

  • Research – From low crime rates, climate, affordability, to a great education system, there are many variables to consider when choosing the perfect place to live. Social media can help you research cities and neighborhoods before making your ultimate decision. Twitter is a great news source, and by using a Twitter List, you can create a personalized news feed of information for a specific location. Look for news about local crime, transportation issues, property costs, the housing market, local events, and environmental risks.  
  • Downsizing – When getting ready for a move, it is always a good idea to downsize your belongings. You certainly don’t want to end up making an effort to move items you no longer want or need to your new home. Selling items online on social media sites like Facebook Marketplace has gained a lot of popularity because of its effectiveness and practicality.
  • Moving Supplies – Reaching out to your circle of friends on social media is a great way to score free or reduced-price moving supplies. Plus, neighbors will post about moving boxes that can be picked up for free in local online neighborhood, trade, or garage sale type social media groups.
  • Decorating – One of the best things about moving is the opportunity to decorate a new place! You can find all the home decor and design inspiration your heart desires on Pinterest. Create a “dream home” pinboard and visually organize all of your ideas in one place.
  • Getting Settled – Nearly every town and city has its own social media accounts, where you can learn about everything from community events and trash pickup to parks and local history. You can also read customer reviews and learn about the restaurants, gyms, and community centers available in your new neighborhood via social media. Connect with your neighbors using the social media platform NextDoor. This company utilizes address verification to help ensure that the people you are communicating with are actually your neighbors.

Speaking of social media, we would love to connect with you on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, or LinkedIn. We believe partnering with Zippy Shell for your relocation will give you the power to customize your moving solution to fit any budget and need. Check out Zippy Shell today for assistance with moving or if you need temporary or long-term storage.

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A Moving Playlist: 10 Songs You Must Add for the Big Day!

A happy couple dances in their home

It is just a fact of life that music makes everything better. Music can improve your mood by reducing anxiety and providing comfort. It can also help with coping and is a great way to express your feelings. To help your move be as calm and stress-free as possible, we have compiled a list of ten songs you must add to your moving day playlist.

  • “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham! This 80s classic will start your moving day with a burst of energy and serve as a reminder to not leave anyone or anything behind on the big day.
  • “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by The Clash. You already know the answer, it is moving day after all. But just for fun add this one to the list to remind yourself if you go, there will be trouble, but if you stay it will be double.
  • “I Like to Move It” by Reel 2 Real. There couldn’t be a more fitting song for moving day. Singing “I like to move it, move it” all day as you are literally moving box after box from one location to another will never get old, well probably never get old.
  • “Bust a Move” by Young MC. If you do get tired of moving your boxes to “move it, move it”, you can always bust a move while pretending that Young MC is actually talking about moving all those boxes.
  • “Moving Out” by Billy Joel. Because that is exactly what you are doing today and because Billy Joel is an icon.
  • “Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles. When you are all packed up and ready to hit the open highway, play this song and play it loud. Leave all your worries behind and look forward to your bright future.
  • “Life Is a Highway” by Rascall Flatts. Unless you are just moving down the street, chances are you will be riding the highway during your move. You might not want to drive it all night long as the song suggests, but sometimes it is necessary on moving day.
  • “Takin’ Care Of Business” by Bachman–Turner Overdrive. This song will motivate you to take care of business once you arrive at your new home and begin the unloading/unpacking process. And yes, you probably will be working overtime.
  • “Home” by Phillip Phillips. You are ready to make this place your home! Turning your new place into a home that will feel welcoming to both your family and visitors can be both exciting and overwhelming, but take time to enjoy the process and the new adventure it brings.

The team at Zippy Shell knows all too well how stressful moving across the street, across town, or across the country can be for anyone. Portable storage units allow you to pack at your own pace, letting go of the feeling of being rushed. We also offer flexibility as delivery dates and storage dates can all easily be rescheduled when you use a portable storage unit. We think our portable storage and moving containers offer tons of flexibility with a predictable cost that will make your move much easier.

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6 Ways to Reduce Stress During Your Move

stress relief

A recent survey in America shows that most adults find moving to be more stressful than divorce or having children. This isn’t surprising when you consider all the work and efforts that go into such a huge life change. Moving is simply hard no matter how you go about it, but there are ways to reduce stress as you go through the process. Take a look at 6 of our tips to reduce stress as you get ready to move this year.

DO SOME RESEARCH

If it has been a while since you have moved, you have probably forgotten some of the ins and outs of the process. Talk to some friends and family that have moved in recent years for some tips on things you may be forgetting as you get ready to plan your move. Get online and read blogs on moving to be sure you have all the knowledge you need to have a successful move.

PLAN AHEAD

As soon as you know you will have to move is when you should start planning that move. There are a lot of moving parts (pun intended) to a local or long-distance move and the more effort you put into planning ahead, the more successful and stress free it is going to be. Once you have the dates you will be moving, make your reservations for moving and storage partners. As we enter spring and summer, moving and storage companies become very busy and it can become more difficult to find availability on your desired dates.

MAKE A CHECKLIST

Once you have started planning out your move, you should create a checklist with goals and a reasonable timeline for your move. You can list out each room that needs to be packed, places that will need your new address, when you need to forward your mail, etc.… Having an actual list of when each task needs to be completed will help keep the stress of moving to a minimum.

GET STARTED EARLY

You don’t want to wait until the last minute to pack. Start as early as you can to give yourself some cushion on moving week. Start in rooms that are rarely used, like the guest room and work around the house packing items that you can do without until you get settled into your new home or apartment. Don’t forget to tackle some of the areas that tend to be more overwhelming, like the garage.

START SAVING MONEY

There are a lot of unexpected expenses that can arise during a move. We recommend starting saving as much as you can for your move as soon as you know you will need to relocate. Having a financial cushion can greatly reduce stress, especially in the case of an unexpected expense.

ASK FOR HELP

If you have nearby family or friends, ask for help with packing, moving, or even with keeping an eye on your kids and pets while you are packing and moving boxes. You can offer free food and beverage, or even some extra cash for the assistance. Moving by yourself can be tough, so accept any help you can get.

We hope these tips will help you keep your move as stress free as possible. If you need storage or moving services, give Zippy Shell a call at 888-947-7974 or contact us through our online form. We can provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate and get you on our schedule whenever you are ready.

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Top Phone Apps to Use When Moving

apps

The decision is made, you are making a move. Congratulations! And now it is time to hit the ground running. Whether you have the luxury of extra time or not, beginning the move process as soon as possible will help everything go much smoother. Planning is key in a move and there are plenty of resources that can assist with the process. We have compiled a list of the best, most useful apps for moving. Take a look and get ready to download!

  • When searching for a new home, you can get property information in a snap – literally – by taking a picture with the Homesnap app. You can unlock sales history, interior features, lot boundaries, market information, school district ratings, and more.
  • Zillow is another popular app used for finding a new home. It boasts photo-heavy listings as well as a multitude of filters that you can apply to your searches.
  • If you have found a promising home, but you are not sure if the neighborhood will fit your needs, the AroundMe app can be a very helpful resource. You can find out within seconds information about the surrounding area, like how long it will take to get to a grocery store and restaurants.
  • The one thing that can keep a move from being overly stressful is being organized. Try the Todoist app to capture and organize all your moving tasks. You can set reminders, prioritize your tasks, and even assign tasks to others.
  • Speaking of assigning tasks to others, if you are on a tight timeline you might find it helpful to outsource some of the items on your list using the TaskRabbit app. It can match you with freelance labor for moving projects of all shapes and sizes like packing, hauling away items to the landfill, completing home maintenance tasks in preparation for listing your home, and more.
  • Whenever possible, you will want to base the decision of what furniture to keep and move on the layout and size of your new home. You don’t pack or move anything that doesn’t have a dedicated space in your new home as that will just add to your workload and moving expenses. You can use the MagicPlan app to create a 3D floor plan of your new home by taking pictures of the space.
  • The Sortly app is a lifesaver during the packing and unpacking phases of your move. It is a digital organization app that lets you catalog what you put in each box, so you know where all of your things are at all times. With the premium version, you can even create QR code labels to put on your boxes.  
  • Once you are settled into your new place, use the Nextdoor app to stay informed about what is going on in your new neighborhood. You can do anything from finding out about local events to finding somebody to help you take care of your yard. Using Nextdoor will keep you in the loop and make the transition to your new neighborhood much easier.

Make your move simpler by using portable storage units from Zippy Shell. You load your belongings at your convenience, and we will simply move them for you or we can safely store your belongings as long as you need. When the time is right, we will deliver everything to your new home. Contact Zippy Shell today to get a quote.

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Tips For Cleaning Out Your Garage

organized garage

If your garage looks like most garages, it is probably time for a good old purge and deep clean. Most people use their garage as a place to store things rather than a place to park cars, and it can quickly get out of hand. We don’t always have a good place in the home to store stuff, so most of our random items, seasonal clothes and décor, unused appliances, and more, ends up in the garage. It really can become an overwhelming task to get it straightened up, so we have some helpful tips when you are ready to get your garage clean and tidy.

MAKE A PLAN

There are different ways you can tackle a big job like the garage. You can create zones and slowly chip away at the mess as you have time. If you have a whole weekend to work on it, we recommend the full, deep-clean option. Pull everything out of the garage into the driveway, wipe everything down, sweep, wash the windows, and air it out before you begin the job of bringing everything back in. But not everyone has enough time to complete the entire garage in one go. In that case, devote as much time as you can each day until you are able to finish.

PURGE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

You likely have quite a bit in your garage that you no longer use or need, so why not get rid of it and free up the space? Go through all the boxes and donate or sell the things you haven’t used in a long time and do not plan to use in the foreseeable future. When the weather starts to warm up, you can have a big garage sale in order to make a little cash while cleaning out the garage. While you are purging you can start organizing your stuff and staging areas of like items to make sure you have everything where you want it to go.

INVEST IN SHELVING UNITS

When you are using the garage as an area to store stuff, you need an efficient way to utilize the space. You can purchase tall shelving units that are meant to be anchored to garage walls to help use the vertical space instead of your stuff creeping inwards in the walking areas. You can get shelves that allow you to adjust the heights of each shelf to make sure you have an area to store your stuff efficiently.

If you need a place to store your stuff while you are giving your garage a deep clean or remodel, give Zippy Shell a call at 888-947-7974 or contact us through our online form. We offer mobile storage units that can be delivered to your home, you can fill it with your stuff and either keep it nearby in your driveway, or have it transported to a secure storage facility while you complete your project. We would be happy to provide you with an estimate for our storage services when you contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Don’t Forget These 5 Things on Your Moving Checklist

checklist

Moving is a stressful experience–no doubt about it–but there are things you can do to help keep your sanity and to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. A moving checklist is one of the most important things you can do to keep everything organized. There are some things, however, that is commonly looked over when making the official moving checklist. Take a look at 5 things you may not have thought about when making your moving checklist.

THE ATTIC

It is not uncommon for people to forget about the stuff they have stored in the attic. When you have a lot of stuff you haven’t seen for many years, it is easy to completely forget about them. Make sure you put the attic on your moving checklist so you don’t leave any of your cherished items behind.

OUTDOOR ITEMS

Another area that people forget to plan for is outdoor items like the lawnmower, propane tanks, grills, smokers, and more. These larger items require special preparations and planning to make sure they are cleaned well, flammable materials properly disposed of, and packed. Make sure you add these items to your moving checklist so you don’t find yourself scrambling on moving day to figure out how to get all your outdoor items to your new home.

PETS

If you have pets, moving day can be stressful on them too. It’s important to make special preparations for your fur-family members so they can be kept safe and looked after during the chaos of moving. If you do not have someone who can keep them while you are moving stuff out of your house, be sure to keep them in a secure area so they are unable to run out the door with all the people going in and out. You also want to make sure you have plans to safely transport them to your new location.

HOUSEPLANTS

If you have houseplants, they will need special attention during a move, especially if you are moving during the winter. Most plants cannot handle extreme temperatures, so you will want to make sure they are still in a warm place until it is time to move them. They should be packed in a way where they can’t fall over and lose soil or break foliage. You can also purchase heating pads for them to sit on to keep from getting too cold during transport.

CHANGING YOUR ADDRESS

Another common moving mishap is forgetting to change your address. You can change your address online or in-person at the post office to have most of your mail forwarded, but you should also change your address with all your important accounts. You should alert all your credit card companies, doctors, magazines that you subscribe to, banks, and anywhere you receive mail from to give them your new address. We hope these tips will be helpful to you as you create your moving checklist. As always, Zippy Shell is ready to partner with you for your local or long-distance move. Give us a call at 888-947-7974 or contact us through our online form for more information on our moving and storage options. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Pros and Cons of a Winter Move

winter move

If you are planning to move in 2021 and have the flexibility to determine when you are going to move, you may be trying to decide if you would rather wait until the summer season. It can be a hard decision, especially if you are ready to move right away. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of a summer move before you decide.

PRO: DOESN’T DISRUPT YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL YEAR

If you have kids that are in school, waiting until the school year ends can be of benefit to them–especially since this past year has had so many disruptions already. This is of even more importance if you are planning to move to an entirely different school district. Waiting until the summer will allow them to finish off the current school year with their friends and not interrupt their learning. Many families opt to wait for the summer season just for this reason.

CON: MOVING COMPANIES ARE BUSIER

Since summer is peak moving season, moving and storage companies are busier. This can be a problem if you wait until the last minute to get on their schedule, but this can be remedied by some advance planning. As soon as you have your summer moving dates, go ahead and schedule your moving and storage services so you can beat the rush.

PRO: YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FREEZING TEMPERATURES

It’s hard to move in cold or even freezing temperatures. If you live in an area of the country that stays under constant threat of snow and ice in the winter and spring seasons, being able to wait until the warmer season will be a big help to you.

CON: IT’S HOT!

On the other hand, if you live in an area of the country where you see summer temps of 90 degrees or greater, a summer move may be more difficult than a winter move. Just as it can be dangerous to move when it is snowing or there is ice on the ground, moving in extremely hot weather can be dangerous. Since moving takes a lot of physical and manual labor, it is easy to get dehydrated or experience heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

PRO: YOUR HOUSE CAN SELL FAST

Because summer is peak moving time, you will be able to sell your home faster than you would during the winter season. If you plan to sell your home over the summer, be sure to have arrangements to leave quickly because homes were selling faster than lenders could keep up with over this past summer!

CON: IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO FIND A HOME YOU LOVE

Because there are more people looking for homes to purchase over the summer, the home inventory can be slim when you go to find a home for yourself. You may need to widen your search and make some changes to your home wish list.

We hope this list of pros and cons will be helpful to you as you decide whether to plan a summer move. Be sure to give Zippy Shell a call at 888-947-7974 or contact us through our online form when you are ready to schedule your move and storage. We look forward to hearing from you!

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6 Ways to Make a Cozy Home

fire place

There is no place like a cozy home in the middle of a freezing cold winter night. Now that holiday and other seasonal décor has likely been packed up, have you made any design changes to make your home feel cozy and inviting? If not, take a look at some of our favorite ideas for adding a warm and comforting touch to your home for the winter season.

LIGHTING

If you are using daylight or cool lighting, switch to warmer tones for a more comforting and cozy atmosphere. Did you know you can purchase smart bulbs that connect to your wifi and you can control from an app on your phone? You can change the color, brightness, and even choose settings like “flickering candle” to give the appearance of a burning candle or fire. While these bulbs are a little pricier than your standard bulb, they are worth the extra money if you are looking for an inexpensive way to overhaul the atmosphere in your home this winter.

BLANKETS

Big, chunky, warm blankets are a must-have during the winter season. You can find affordable, oversized throw blankets at almost any retail store. Not only will you love curling up under a warm blanket at the end of a cold day, they look great draped over the side of a chair or couch.

SEASONAL SCENTS

Use a wax burner, candle, oil diffuser, or plug-in to showcase a seasonal cozy scent. There are scents like pumpkin spice, apple pie, bon fire, sugar cookies, and others that can make your home feel inviting and comforting.

ELECTRIC FIREPLACE

While not exactly cheap, if you don’t already have a fireplace in your home, an electric fireplace can copy the look and feel of one. These can be especially useful if you need extra heating in your home and already need to use something like a space heater. The cool thing about these electric fireplaces is you can put them almost anywhere, even your bedroom. Talk about fancy!

CHANGE OUT YOUR WINDOW COVERINGS

This is not exactly a design suggestion, but more of a functional change. If you use heavier drapes during the winter, you will be able to keep some of the cold air that can sometimes seep in around the seals of the window behind the curtain. Have you ever pulled back your curtains and felt cold air rush out? Heavy drapes can help your home feel warmer and even help you save a little money on your heating bills.

ADD SOME GREENERY

Adding some greenery, whether live or artificial, can help give your home a warm and cozy boost during the winter months. If you are getting live plants, be sure to do a little research on easy care plants for the types of lighting you have available in your home.

We hope these tips will be helpful to you as you give your home a winter makeover. We would love to hear your ideas on how to make the home feel warm during the winter season! Stop by our Facebook page and share your ideas with our Zippy Shell community. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Best Cleaning Practices for Different Types of Furniture

cleaning furniture

Your furniture is one of the biggest investments you make for your home. Learning how to keep it clean will protect your investment for years to come. Don’t let water stains, ink marks, and other tough stains keep you from enjoying your furniture. Use the cleaning practices listed below to keep every type of furniture in your home looking its best.

Wooden Furniture

Dusting and shining your wooden furniture is probably already on your regular cleaning routine. But to keep it in tip top shape, a deep cleaning is needed at least twice a year. The first step is to remove water stains. Place some non-gel toothpaste on the water stain and rub it in with a soft cloth until the mark is lifted. Remove any other marks on your wooden furniture with a paste made of 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of water. Just as with the toothpaste, apply the paste and gently rub with a soft cloth until the stain disappears. Wipe the stained areas off with a damp cloth and dry them thoroughly before moving on. Tannic acid from tea is a wonderful way to clean the entire piece of furniture. After steeping two tea bags in boiling water, let the tea cool to room temperature. Dampen a soft cloth with the tea and wipe the wood. Now it’s time for the polish!

Painted Furniture

This is by far the easiest type of furniture to keep clean. Add 1 tablespoon white vinegar to 2 cups warm water to make a general cleaner good for painted surfaces. Add a small squirt of liquid dish soap for a little extra cleaning power. Wipe the surfaces of your painted furniture with a cloth or sponge dampened with this solution. Use as little moisture as possible to help prevent water damage.

Upholstered Furniture

Vacuum upholstered surfaces on a regular basis. Sprinkling baking soda over the entire piece before vacuuming will help to remove odors and loosen stains. Before using any cleaning detergents or solutions, always check the manufacturer’s care instructions found on the furniture tag. As a general rule fabric upholstery can be cleaned using a mixture of 3/4 cup warm water, 1/4 cup vinegar and one tablespoon of dish soap. Test a small area for any discoloration first and then spot treat any stained areas with this solution. Flip cushions and pillows regularly so both sides wear evenly.

Leather Furniture

Clean leather furniture with a damp sponge or soft cloth and dust it regularly. For a set in stain, use a solution of 1/4 cup white vinegar with 1/2 cup water and clean it with a soft cloth. Follow this by washing with leather saddle soap. Using a monthly application of leather cream will keep the leather material soft and moisturized.

Using these cleaning practices to care for your furniture will help it last for years, saving you money in the long run. If you have a move coming up, contact us at Zippy Shell. We would be happy to discuss how our storage and moving services can also save you money. We will even provide you with a free estimate!