How to Make Moving Less Stressful: 6 Tips for an Easier Move

by Mike Estes

The best way to make moving less stressful is to start early and break the process into manageable steps. Decluttering before you pack, creating a moving-day plan, organizing boxes by room, and handling utilities and other logistics ahead of time can help make the move feel much more manageable.

Moving to a new home is one of life's biggest transitions, and knowing how to make moving less stressful can make all the difference. Between packing up years of belongings, coordinating logistics, and settling into an unfamiliar space, it's easy to feel overwhelmed before the first box is even taped shut. But with the right approach, moving doesn't have to be a chaotic experience.

In this guide, we've gathered expert tips to help you navigate every stage of your move with confidence. Whether you're buying a home in Nashville, renting an apartment in East Nashville, or relocating to a suburb like Brentwood or Franklin, these strategies are designed to help movers feel prepared, organized, and a little less stressed.

1. Declutter before you pack

Before you pull out a single box or roll of tape, take a hard look at everything you own. Moving is the perfect opportunity to let go of items that no longer serve you, and trimming down your belongings before packing can save you significant time, money, and energy on moving day.

Scott Ferree, chief marketing officer at MiniMoves, Inc., puts it simply: “Moving is less stressful when there is less to pack, less to prepare, less to move, and less to find a place for in your new home. Before you do anything else, discard, donate, and downsize to help make moving easier.”

Here are a few ways to get started:

Go room by room. Tackle one space at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Sort items into keep, donate, and discard piles as you go.
Donate or sell what you can. Local donation centers, Facebook Marketplace, and garage sales are great ways to give your unwanted items a second life.
Start early. The sooner you begin decluttering, the less rushed the process will feel. Aim to start at least a few weeks before your move date.

>>Read: Moving Checklist: Everything You Need to Know

2. Create a moving day plan

A successful move doesn't happen by accident – it happens because someone planned it well. Having a clear, realistic plan for moving day helps everyone involved stay on the same page and keeps small hiccups from turning into major setbacks.

“Moving feels a lot easier when there’s a clear plan for how the day is supposed to go,” states Van Gallik at Moving Van Inc. “Confirm the arrival window, parking, access, and any building or elevator requirements ahead of time, and make sure your mover knows about anything oversized, fragile, or unusual before the crew arrives. Give yourself a little extra time on both ends of the move so one small delay does not throw off the whole day. Good communication and a realistic plan can make the entire process feel much more organized and predictable.”

To build a solid moving day plan, consider the following:

Confirm logistics with your movers in advance. Go over arrival times, parking availability, and any building-specific requirements like elevator reservations or loading dock access.
Flag special items ahead of time. Let your moving crew know about anything that's oversized, fragile, or requires special handling before they show up.
Build in buffer time. Give yourself extra time at both the start and end of the day so that minor delays don't derail the entire schedule.

It can also help to estimate your moving costs ahead of time so you can budget for labor, transportation, packing supplies, and any additional services.

>>Read: 17 Moving Hacks to Make Your Move a Breeze

3. Pack strategically

Packing is often the most time-consuming part of any move, but a little strategy goes a long way. When you pack with intention, unpacking becomes far less chaotic on the other side. Ben Johnson, senior director of operations at Atlas Van Lines, highlights two of the most common packing mistakes to avoid: "The most common mistakes we see are overpacking boxes and improper weight distribution. People often fill large boxes with heavy items like books or canned goods, making the box susceptible to bursting and risking injury to whoever lifts it. As a general rule of thumb: heavy items go in small boxes, light items in large boxes."

Label every box clearly. Write the room and a brief description of the contents on the top and sides of each box. Color-coded labels by room can make the process even easier for your movers.
Pack an essentials bag. Set aside a separate bag or box with everything you'll need for the first 24 to 48 hours – think toiletries, a change of clothes, phone chargers, medications, and snacks. This way, you won't be digging through boxes on your first night.
Use the right materials. Invest in sturdy boxes, quality packing tape, and plenty of padding for fragile items. Clothing, towels, and linens can double as cushioning for breakables.
Pack heaviest items in small boxes. Books, tools, and other heavy items are much easier to carry when they're packed in smaller boxes. Save large boxes for lightweight items like bedding and pillows.
Pack rooms in full. Try to pack one room completely before moving on to the next. This keeps things organized and makes unpacking at your new home more straightforward.

4. Take care of the logistics early

One of the easiest ways to reduce post-move stress is to handle the administrative side of your move well before moving day arrives. Getting ahead of these tasks means fewer surprises once you're settled in your new home.

Forward your mail. Set up mail forwarding with USPS as soon as you know your new address so nothing important gets lost in the transition.
Update your address. Notify your bank, employer, insurance providers, subscription services, and any other important contacts of your new address ahead of time.
Transfer your utilities. Schedule the disconnection of utilities at your old home and the setup of services at your new one so you're not left without electricity, water, or internet on move-in day.
Keep important documents accessible. Keep items like passports, insurance cards, lease agreements, and financial documents in a folder or bag that travels with you – not in a moving box.
Notify your doctor and other providers. If you're moving to a new part of town or a new city entirely, start researching new healthcare providers and transfer any necessary medical records early.

5. Get your new home ready before move-in day

Walking into a clean, prepped home on moving day makes the entire experience feel less chaotic. If you have access to your new space before the move, take advantage of it.

Clean before the furniture arrives. It's much easier to deep clean an empty home than one filled with boxes and furniture. Wipe down cabinets, scrub bathrooms, and mop floors before move-in day.
Make repairs or updates first. If you're planning to paint walls, replace fixtures, or make any upgrades, try to complete those projects before your belongings arrive. It saves a significant amount of hassle.
Set up utilities and test them. Walk through the home and confirm that the lights, water, heat, and internet are all working before the movers show up.
Map out your furniture placement. Having a rough idea of where your major furniture pieces will go helps movers place items in the right spots from the start, saving you from rearranging heavy pieces later.

6. Give yourself grace during the process

Even the most well-planned moves come with unexpected moments. Giving yourself permission to be imperfect during such a big life transition is just as important as any logistical checklist.

Manage your expectations. Not everything will go exactly as planned, and that's okay. A flexible mindset will serve you far better than trying to control every detail.
Ask for help. Whether it's enlisting friends and family to help pack or hiring professionals to handle the heavy lifting, don't be afraid to lean on others.
Take breaks. Moving is physically and emotionally exhausting. Build short breaks into your day, stay hydrated, and eat regular meals so you have the energy to see it through.
Celebrate small wins. Got the kitchen unpacked? That's worth acknowledging. Recognizing progress – even small progress – can help keep your spirits up during a long and tiring process.
Give yourself time to adjust. Feeling unsettled in a new space is completely normal. Be patient with yourself as you get oriented and start to make your new place feel like home.

How to make moving less stressful: final thoughts

Making a move less stressful often comes down to giving yourself enough time and staying organized. Declutter before you pack, plan your moving-day logistics in advance, and handle as much as you can before the move so there’s less to manage all at once.

FAQ: How to make moving less stressful

Why is moving so stressful?

Moving often involves several major changes at once, including packing, coordinating logistics, leaving a familiar space, and adjusting to a new home. Giving yourself enough time and staying organized can help reduce some of that stress.

How far in advance should I start preparing for a move?

Ideally, start planning several weeks before your move. Begin with decluttering and sorting belongings, then work through packing, scheduling movers, transferring utilities, and other logistics as your move date gets closer.

How can I make moving day easier?

Confirm timing, parking, building access, and any special moving requirements ahead of time. Keep essentials with you, clearly label boxes, and build some extra time into your schedule in case unexpected delays come up.

What should I pack first when moving?

Start with items you won’t need before moving day, such as seasonal clothing, books, decorations, and rarely used kitchenware. Save everyday essentials, important documents, medications, toiletries, and a few changes of clothes for last so they stay easy to access.