So you’ve taken the leap and decided to tackle your move by yourself, huh?

Well, we applaud your courage and can-do attitude, as we know all too well the craziness of a moving on your own. To keep you sane, organized and moving forward, here are 5 tips to keep in mind:

1. Write Everything Down

One of the most difficult parts of moving yourself is keeping things organized. Not only do you have to keep track of all your stuff, but you have to remember all the little tasks that moving brings along with it, such as updating your address with the government, setting up utilities, and getting rid of extra stuff (a Moved concierge can do all of this 😉).

So help yourself out and create a massive to-do list early on in the moving process. Start with all the questions you need to ask (who can help me move?, where will I stay on my way to my new house?, what do I want to bring?, etc.) and all the tasks you can think of that you will need to complete.

Keep this in a notebook, on your computer, or in the Moved app so you can update it and cross things off throughout the processs.

2. Purge

We’ve said it many times before on this blog, and we’ll say it again: the less stuff you have, the less you have to move! Check out our other guides for help on what to get rid of and how to properly sell, donate, or throw away your stuff.

3. Use What You Have

Why buy moving pads when you have a house full of linens, blankets and towels? Save some money and use what you’ve got lying around to protect your things while moving. Keep in mind, however, that you’ll be setting yourself up for a ton of laundry to do on the other end.

You can also use all the boxes, trunks, laundry baskets, etc. you already own to move your things. Keeping your clothes in dresser drawers will save you a lot of packing time! Just take out the drawers, tape a blanket or towel on top to keep everything inside, and you’re good to go!

4. Get the Right Tools

Rent a dolly from U-Haul or a moving company, and you (and your back) will be thankful later, I promise! Box dollies are two wheeled, stand upright and are great for moving multiple boxes at once. Flat furniture dollies are basically wooden rectangles with four wheels on them. These babies can hold up to 900lbs and are essential for moving heavy items like large screen TVs and dressers.

Make your life easier and rent reusable boxes from a company like Gorilla Bins or Bin-It. The boxes will be delivered to you and picked up when you’re done with them, saving you the hassle of buying boxes, hunting for used ones or figuring out what to do with them when you’re done.

5. Pack and Load Smart

Don’t leave yourself a mammoth packing job to finish at the last minute or you’ll be overwhelmed and nearly crazy by the end of the day. Plan ahead, slowly packing everything you own over the weeks leading up to the move. Starting with what you rarely use and finish with the daily essentials.

Finally, when loading your truck, remember that heavier items go in first, and on the bottom. Strap everything down and don’t exceed your truck’s weight capacity.

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