Moving is straight-up exhausting. You look around your current place, see the mountains of stuff you’ve accumulated over the years, and immediately want to crawl back into bed. It feels like a massive, overwhelming mountain of cardboard, packing tape, and bubble wrap. But you can actually turn this chaotic mess into a somewhat chill experience if you go into it with the right mindset and a solid plan. Let’s explore eight practical tips for making moving to a new place a breeze!

Get the Ball Rolling Way Earlier Than You Think Is Necessary

Procrastination is the ultimate enemy here. You might think you have plenty of time, but time has a funny way of disappearing when you have a million things to do. You actually need to start planning weeks, or even months, in advance.

Start by packing the rooms you use the least, like the garage, the spare bedroom, the attic, and the basement. Packing is obviously a huge part of the prep, but the logistics matter just as much. You need to book a truck, recruit your friends, buy supplies, and figure out your budget well before the big day. If you wait until the week before, you’re asking for a meltdown. Break the massive job down into bite-sized chunks so you don’t feel like you’re drowning.

Purge Your Belongings

Moving is the perfect excuse to get ruthless with your belongings. Unless the stuff you haven’t touched since high school has real emotional value, there’s no reason to haul it with you.

Go through every single drawer and closet with a critical eye. If it’s broken, ugly, doesn’t fit, or brings up bad memories, it has got to go.

Create three distinct piles: donate, sell, and trash. You can make some extra cash by selling old clothes, electronics, furniture, and books online. Anything that doesn’t sell but is still usable can go to a local charity. With the rest, responsibly dispose of it at your local dump.

The less you have to pack, the less you have to move, and the less you have to unpack later. It’s a win-win-win!

Label Everything

By labeling your moving boxes, you know exactly where your belongings are once they’re all concealed and scattered around your new place. “Kitchen,” “Bedroom,” “Books,” “Electronics,” “Pantry Staples,” and so forth make good labels. And for everything that doesn’t quite have a place, a “Miscellaneous” label will do. You should also write “Fragile” on anything breakable, heavy, expensive, or sentimental.

Pack an Open-First Kit

Imagine arriving at your new place, exhausted and sweaty, only to realize your toothbrush is buried at the bottom of a random box in a stack of fifty. That is a hard pass.

To avoid this, you need a survival kit that stays with you, not on the moving truck. This box (or suitcase) should have everything you need to survive the first 24 hours without unpacking a single other thing. Here are some ideas:

• Toiletries
• PJs
• a change of clothes
• phone chargers
• medications
• toilet paper
• soap
• a sleeping bag
• etc.

Call in the Pros if You Can Swing It

Sometimes, DIY is just not the move. If your budget allows, hiring professional movers can save your back and your friendships. Professionals can handle the heavy lifting, the driving, the loading, and the unloading way faster than you and your buddies can. They have the equipment and the experience to get your couch through that narrow doorway without taking chunks out of the drywall.

If you really want to treat yourself, look into extra services. Some companies offer the full-service packing process, which basically means you sit back while they wrap and box everything for you. If you can afford it, the stress relief is worth every penny. Just make sure you read the reviews, get a quote, check the provider’s insurance, and confirm the date before you sign anything.

Handle the Boring Adult Stuff Early

Nobody likes dealing with utility companies, but sitting in a dark house with no Wi-Fi is way worse. That’s why you need to transfer your services a few weeks before you move. Call the electric company, the water department, the gas provider, and the Internet guys to schedule the switch.

You also need to update your address everywhere. This includes your bank, your credit card companies, the post office, and subscription services. It’s super annoying to deal with lost mail or late fees because you forgot to tell someone you moved. Get the admin work out of the way so you can focus on the physical move.

Eat Your Way Through the Fridge

Another tip for making moving to a new place a breeze is to take as little food with you as possible. Moving food is a hassle and a half. Frozen stuff melts, glass jars break, and nobody wants to haul a heavy cooler across town.

So try to eat as much of your perishable food as possible in the weeks leading up to the move. Throw a “pantry party” and invite your friends over to help you finish off the snacks and drinks. Anything you don’t eat should probably get tossed or given to a neighbor.

Don’t Forget To Breathe

In the middle of all the chaos, it is easy to forget to take care of yourself. However, burning out before you even get the keys is a rookie mistake. You need to stay hydrated, eat actual food, and get some rest.

Taking breaks is totally allowed. Go for a walk, watch an episode of your favorite show, grab a coffee with a friend, or just sit in silence for a few minutes. Keeping your stress levels in check makes the whole process smoother. Soon enough, you’ll be unpacked, decorated, and relaxing in your new home. Keep your eye on the prize!

Moving is never going to be completely effortless, but these tips can definitely take the edge off. By planning ahead, staying organized, and keeping a positive attitude, you can avoid the typical disasters that plague most movers.