Moving is never easy—especially when it’s not something you were planning for. I recently had to move out of my studio apartment because the rent was increasing. It felt overwhelming at first. Just the thought of packing everything up again made my stomach twist. But over the years, I’ve learned that the best way to quiet the anxiety is to plan ahead—and that’s exactly what I did.
Moving Made Manageable: My Checklist for a Smoother Move
I’m a big to-do list advocate. The very first thing I do is sit down and make a list of everything that needs to be done—in the order it needs to happen. Something about seeing it all laid out makes the whole thing feel more doable. It becomes less of a tangled mess in my head and more of a step-by-step plan I can follow.
A few weeks before my move, I ordered supplies: boxes, tape, labels, and soft wraps for anything fragile. Then I walked through my apartment and started sorting—keep, donate, and toss. I also did a deep clean. For me, cleaning and organizing go hand-in-hand. It clears both the space and my mind.
Things I bought for my move
Before packing anything, I pulled out my suitcase and packed it like I was going on a trip. I added a few changes of clothes, toiletries, chargers—my daily essentials. This way, even if everything else was packed away, I wouldn’t feel like I was living out of a cardboard box.
I began packing with the things I don’t use daily and saved the kitchen for last. I used color-coded tape on the boxes to make unpacking easier—one color per room. Giving myself 2–3 weeks to pack, little by little, helped keep the stress down.
About two weeks before the move, I called to transfer utilities. Three days out, I prepped a few meals so I wouldn’t have to think about cooking during the chaos. I also made sure I had a few days of overlap between leaving the old place and settling into the new one. That gave me time to clean both spaces without the pressure of doing it all in one day.
After moving in, I unpacked the kitchen first, then set up my bed. Once I had food and a place to sleep, the rest could wait.
Moving can still be exhausting, but a clear plan (and a trusty checklist) made it manageable. If you’re gearing up for a move, give yourself time, be kind to yourself, and take it one task at a time—you’ve got this.
– Kate
How planning ahead helped ease my anxiety and keep things organized during my recent move: Here is my checklist.
🏡 Moving Checklist: 5–6 Weeks Out
1. Order Moving Supplies
- Boxes (variety of sizes)
- Packing tape + dispenser (game-changer!)
- Colored tape or painter’s tape (for color-coding by space)
- Box cutter or knife (for unpacking)
- Sharpies (label everything!)
2. Book a Moving Company
- Research and schedule a reliable mover early
- Confirm insurance or protection plan, if needed
3. Declutter Ruthlessly
- Sort items into three groups: Keep, Donate, Toss
- Drop off donations as you go to free up space
4. Deep Clean Your Current Home
- Clean room by room to make packing easier
- Bonus: Less to clean on moving day
5. Start Pre-Packing
- Pack items you won’t need for a few weeks
- Use color-coded tape to group boxes by room
6. Pack a Personal Suitcase
- Treat it like a short trip: daily clothes, toiletries, meds, charger, etc.
- This way, your essentials are handy during the transition
7. Handle Logistics
- Submit change of address with USPS, banks, credit cards, subscriptions
- Transfer utilities: electricity, water, gas, internet, renters insurance
8. Check In on Your New Place
- Stop by 2–3 days before move-in to clean surfaces, stock toilet paper, soap, etc.
9. Meal Prep (1–3 days before move)
- Cook ahead or plan easy meals to avoid last-minute kitchen chaos
10. Overlap Move-Out & Move-In Dates (if possible)
- Gives you time to clean both spaces without stress
- Bonus: staggered moving makes unpacking less overwhelming
