Ah, moving. That joyous time when you get to pack up your life into a bunch of cardboard boxes, haul it across town (or maybe across the country), and then unpack it all while wondering why you have 19 mismatched socks and 47 half-used candles.
It’s a great time, right? Wrong. Moving is stressful, exhausting, and can leave you feeling like you’ve just run a marathon in a labyrinth of IKEA furniture. But fear not!
We’ve got 10 tips to help you move without completely losing your sanity—because, let’s face it, you need all the help you can get.
1. Start Packing Early (Like, Really Early)
You know how everyone always says, “I’ll pack tomorrow,” and then tomorrow becomes the day before the move? Yeah, don’t do that.
Start packing early, preferably before you even know you need to. Throw out your “I’ll just do it later” attitude and begin packing at least six months in advance.
By the time the actual moving day arrives, you’ll have packed up everything except your bed—and even then, it’ll be in a neatly labeled box that says “BED” in big, bold letters.
You’ll be the world’s most organized mover. Or at least you’ll pretend to be.
2. Declutter Like a Reality TV Star on a Budget
Moving is the perfect time to get rid of all that stuff you “might” need one day.
Remember that pizza stone you got as a wedding gift and haven’t used since 2011? Bye-bye. That random collection of old magazines from 2007? Gone.
Take a cue from reality TV stars and declutter like it’s your last chance to get rid of everything that’s been taking up space.
If it doesn’t spark joy or a very specific need, toss it. You’ll feel better—and, hey, less stuff means less to carry. Who knew Marie Kondo was actually giving you moving advice all along?
3. Hire a Professional (Or At Least Pretend You Can Lift That Couch)
Let’s be real—no one actually enjoys moving furniture. It’s like Tetris, but with heavy objects and the looming threat of injury.
So, do yourself a favor and hire professionals who are trained to lift things without turning into a walking chiropractic ad.
If you can’t afford professionals (because, honestly, who can?), at least recruit some friends with strong backs and even stronger senses of guilt.
Just don’t offer pizza and beer as your only payment—unless you want your friends to stage a protest.
4. Use Clear Plastic Bins (Because You’re Not a Psychic)
Packing everything into cardboard boxes may seem like the “old-school” way to go, but guess what?
You’re not a fortune teller, and you can’t predict which box contains your favorite coffee mug after you’ve moved into your new place.
Invest in clear plastic bins so you can see exactly what’s inside—because searching for that one thing you need, buried under a mountain of mystery boxes, will not be your idea of a good time.
Clear bins are like the “cheat code” for organized moving.
5. Label Everything (And Then Label It Again)
The golden rule of moving: LABEL EVERYTHING. And then label it again.
You can never be too sure which box contains your clothes and which one holds your assortment of paperclips, expired coupons, and mysterious items you’ve never seen before. Be specific.
Write “bathroom towels” on the box with the towels, “coffee maker” on the box with the coffee maker, and “fragile” on the box with your grandmother’s heirloom china.
You’ll thank yourself later when you’re not sifting through ten different boxes just to find your toothbrush.
6. Pack an “Essentials” Box (Because You Can’t Live Without Snacks)
The first thing you need to do when you get to your new place is find the essentials—your toothbrush, your phone charger, and most importantly, snacks.
Pack a box that has everything you need to survive the first few hours of your new home.
You’ll want to have easy access to toilet paper, hand soap, your favorite snacks (chips, obviously), and something to drink that isn’t tap water.
Trust us, after you’ve hauled boxes all day, nothing is more rewarding than being able to crack open a bag of pretzels without having to search through 14 boxes marked “Miscellaneous Crap.”
7. Enlist Help from Your Inner Zen Master
Moving is stressful, but it doesn’t have to feel like a high-stakes game of “Who Can Stress Out the Most.” Enlist help from your inner Zen master and take deep breaths when things get tough.
The key is to remember that the process might involve chaos and confusion, but eventually, you’ll have a brand-new place to call home.
Just don’t start screaming at your couch when it won’t fit through the door. It’s not the couch’s fault. It’s yours.
8. Take Photos of Your Electronics Before Unplugging Them (Because Who Even Knows How This Works?)
Let’s be honest: the real challenge of moving isn’t the packing or the heavy lifting—it’s the inevitable mess that is your electronics.
If you’re anything like us, you have wires, cords, and plugs that look like they’re ready to start their own secret society.
Before you unplug anything, take photos of how everything is connected. You’ll thank yourself when you’re trying to figure out how to reconnect your TV to the Wi-Fi and your sound system simultaneously.
Spoiler alert: It’s not as easy as you think.
9. Don’t Forget the Basics (Toothbrush, Coffee, and Sanity)
After you’ve moved your stuff, it’s easy to forget the basics. Things like a toothbrush, toothpaste, coffee maker, and, let’s face it, your sanity.
If you can’t function without coffee, make sure you have that magical machine accessible as soon as you arrive at your new home.
A fresh cup of coffee can do wonders for your mood—especially when the last thing you want to do is unpack a million boxes.
Keep the essentials close so you can power through the move with a smile (or at least a caffeinated frown).
10. Take Breaks (Or, You Know, Cry a Little)
Moving is exhausting. It’s okay to take breaks. Sit down, breathe, and maybe even let out a small sob when you realize you accidentally packed your favorite sweater with your winter decorations.
Just remember, breaks are essential. Whether you’re staring out the window contemplating life or binge-watching your favorite show on your phone in a pile of unpacked boxes, breaks will help you regain your strength and humor.
Plus, you can always eat your feelings with pizza and ice cream while you work on the next step.