6 Smart Ways to Make Moving Feel Less Miserable

By Bob Sophiea

Founder and CEO of New Home Collective, established the company in 2014 with a mission to revolutionize the real estate industry.

Let’s be real for a second: moving absolutely, 100% sucks. It’s exhausting, emotional, and chaotic. Even when you’re moving for a good reason, a dream home, a new job, or getting closer to family, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s stressful.

I know this firsthand. Over the years, I have helped nearly 2,000 families move, and I have gone through more than a few moves myself. You might assume that with that much experience, I would have moving down to a science, but the truth is, there is no such thing as a perfect move.

Something always seems to go wrong. Maybe a box gets left behind, the truck arrives late, or you find yourself in the garage having an emotional moment over a baby shoe you did not even know you still had.

While I haven’t figured out how to make moving fun, I have picked up ways to make it suck a whole lot less. Here are the strategies that keep coming up:

1. Start decluttering early. Do not wait until the week of your move to decide what stays and what goes. Begin the process at least 30 days before moving day. Work through closets, cabinets, and drawers little by little. The less you own, the fewer boxes you will need to pack and transport, which means less stress for you in the long run.

2. Use a mobile storage unit. This is one of my go-to tips for sellers. Renting a mobile storage unit allows you to start packing weeks in advance and keeps your home looking clean and organized if you are selling. Once everything is ready, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new home. You then have the freedom to unpack on your own schedule instead of rushing on moving day.

3. Hire movers if you can. If your budget allows, consider hiring professional movers. They arrive on time, handle the heavy lifting, and keep the process moving smoothly. Investing in professional help can prevent injury, save time, and eliminate much of the frustration that comes with doing everything yourself.

4. Pack like you’ll thank yourself later. Label each box clearly by room and include details about what is inside. For example, “Kitchen: plates and mugs” is far more useful than “kitchen stuff.” Adding color-coded tape or stickers can make it even easier to identify what goes where. Trust me, your future self will thank you when unpacking.

5. Create a “first-night box”. Prepare one box with the items you will need right away in your new home. Include toilet paper, paper towels, towels, soap, trash bags, snacks, bed sheets, a change of clothes, and phone chargers. Having these essentials in one place will prevent you from digging through countless boxes when all you want to do is relax.

6. Don’t forget the utilities. Few things are worse than moving into a home without electricity, Wi-Fi, or air conditioning. Call the utility companies before your move to make sure everything is connected and working by the time you arrive. A little planning here can save you a lot of frustration later.

Moving is never going to be fun. However, it does not have to leave you drained, frustrated, or buried under a mountain of cardboard boxes. With a clear plan and a few practical strategies, you can make your move much smoother and less stressful.

If you’ve got a move coming up, I hope these ideas make it a little easier. And if you’ve got your own moving hack that saved your time, money, or sanity, I’d love to hear it.

And if you’re still figuring out your next steps, let’s talk. Book a call with us through this link: callnhc.com. You can also contact us directly at (859) 721-2200 or bob@nhc.com. The whole team will help you make the whole process smoother.