So, you’re doing your first big move? Oh man, I remember mine. I was moving from my dad’s house into my first apartment. I was so pumped, I figured I’d just pack everything the day before. How hard could it be, right?
Let me tell you, it was a disaster. I used trash bags for my clothes. All of them. I looked like a hobo carrying my life in Hefty bags. I couldn’t find my toothbrush. I slept in a hoodie because my blankets were in a bag I’d taped shut too well. I lived like a caveman for a week.
I run a storage unit place now, and let me tell you, I’ve heard every moving horror story you can imagine. So learn from my mess. Here’s the real deal on what not to do.
First big mistake? Moving your crap
And I mean that literally. That half-broken lamp from your grandma? The box of notebooks from 10th grade? You’re going to look at it and think, “Well, I can’t just throw it away.” So you pack it.
Stop. Right now.
You are paying in time, sweat, and probably money to move things you don’t even like. Your future self, who is tired and unpacking, will curse your name. Be ruthless. If you haven’t touched it in a year, you probably don’t need it. If it’s broken and you were gonna fix it “someday,” that day is not coming. Toss it. Have a garage sale. Give it to Goodwill. Lighten your load. I promise you, the feeling of freedom when you drop off that last donation bag is incredible.
Second mistake? No plan
“I’ll just figure it out.” Famous last words. You can’t wing a move. You need a timeline, and you need to start way earlier than you think.
Here’s what I tell my buddies when they move:
- A month out: Start stealing boxes from the grocery store. Start packing the stupid stuff you never use. Your old yearbooks. Your winter coats in July. That fancy vase.
- Two weeks out: This is panic mode. Pack your kitchen. Yeah, I know, how will you eat? You’ll live on takeout for two weeks, it’s fine. It’s worth it. Pack everything but one plate, one cup, and one fork.
- The week of: Pack your “First Night Box.” I’ll get to that. It’s a lifesaver.
- The day before: Stop. Just stop. Confirm your truck rental. Then order a pizza and watch a movie. Go to bed early. You’ll need the sleep.
The First Night Box
When you’re done moving, you will be a zombie. You will have no brain cells left. You will not want to dig through twenty boxes labeled “stuff.”
So you pack one box, and you keep it with you in your car. In this box, you put everything you’ll need to survive for 24 hours.
What’s in mine?
- Toilet paper. (I can’t stress this enough. Just put a roll in there now.)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste.
- A towel.
- Soap.
- Deodorant.
- A clean t-shirt and underwear.
- Your phone charger.
- Any pills you take.
- A screwdriver.
- Snacks. Like, good snacks.
- COFFEE. And your coffee maker. Do not pack your coffee maker in the truck. You will regret it in the morning.
This box will save your sanity. Trust me.
Label your boxes. For real.
Don’t just write “Kitchen.” You’ll have 15 boxes that say “Kitchen,” and you’ll have no idea which one has the forks. Write what’s actually in it. “Kitchen – Pots & Pans.” “Bedroom – Steve’s Socks.” It seems dumb until you’re desperate for a fork and you can’t find one.
Don’t be a hero
That dresser is heavier than it looks. That bookshelf will not “just fit” if you turn it sideways. Ask for help. Bribe your friends with pizza and beer. It’s a way better deal than a trip to the emergency room.
And if you’ve got really big, heavy stuff? Just hire movers for a couple of hours. It’s worth every single penny.
Here’s a situation nobody talks about
What if your new place isn’t ready the exact second your old lease is up? Or you’re moving in with your partner, and you have two couches? The timing is never perfect.
This is where people lose their minds. They try to rent a bigger truck for more days, or they beg their cousin to use a dusty garage.
This is the exact reason I have my job. A small storage unit for a month is the secret weapon for a smooth move. It takes all the pressure off. You can move your stuff out of your old place and into the unit on your own time. Then you can get your new place set up, and slowly bring your things over when you’re ready. It’s a pause button for your stuff. It makes the whole thing less of a nightmare.
So there you go. That’s the real, human advice. Don’t move your junk, make a plan, pack your first-night box, label everything, and don’t break your back.
You can do this. And if you get in a jam with timing, you know where to find me. We’re here to help. Now go pack a box. Just one. You’ll feel better.
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