The Best Moving Tips I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started Packing

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The Best Moving Tips I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started Packing

Moving has a funny way of making you remember random things at 2am.

You’ll remember the coffee maker… but forget the coffee.
You’ll pack 37 rolls of tape… but somehow lose the scissors.
And there’s always that one mystery box labeled “important stuff” that nobody can find when you actually need it.

Right now, we’re in that weird in-between stage of moving life. Not fully settled. Not fully unpacked. Just kind of living between boxes, paperwork, coffee runs, and trying to remember where we packed literally anything.

And let me tell you… moving is exhausting, emotional, exciting, stressful, and chaotic all at the same time.

Some days it feels exciting thinking about what’s ahead. Other days I’m standing in the middle of a pile of boxes wondering why we own so many random cords that apparently go to absolutely nothing.

Between the packing, address changes, paperwork, house stuff, and trying to keep life somewhat normal through all of it, I quickly realized there are so many little things people forget about when they move.

So I started making myself lists. Real-life lists. Not those perfect Pinterest moving checklists written by someone who clearly has their life together.

1. Pack an “Open First” Box

This one will save your sanity.

After a long moving day, the last thing you want to do is dig through 42 boxes looking for toilet paper or phone chargers.

Pack one box (or tote) with:

Toilet paper
Paper towels
Chargers
Medications
Snacks
Coffee
Pet food
Basic toiletries
Pajamas
Important papers
A few cleaning supplies

Basically… everything you’ll need in the first 24 hours without having to unpack your whole life.

2. Don’t Forget to Change Your Address Everywhere

And I mean everywhere.

Sure, most people remember the post office. But what about:

Banks
Credit cards
Insurance
Amazon
Doctor offices
Pharmacy
Subscription boxes
Payroll at work
Streaming accounts
DMV
Voter registration

It’s amazing how much mail still ends up at the old house months later.

3. Label Boxes Better Than You Think You Need To

“Kitchen Stuff” is not helpful at midnight when you’re trying to find a can opener. This is great advice. Came in handy when I was looking for our printer cord. Thankfully labeled that box really well.

Try labeling boxes with:

The room
What’s inside
Priority level

Example:
Kitchen – Coffee Supplies – Open First

Future you will be grateful.

4. Take Photos of Electronics Before Unplugging Them

Listen… nobody remembers where all those cords go. This one will be a life saver!

Take pictures of:

TV hookups
Wi-Fi router setup
Computer cords
Gaming systems

It makes reconnecting everything so much easier later.

5. Clean Before You’re Completely Exhausted

You always think you’ll do a deep clean at the end.

But by moving day? You’re tired, emotional, sore, hungry, and surviving on drive-thru coffee and snacks.

Try cleaning room by room as you pack instead of leaving it all for the last day.

6. Check the Freezer and Pantry Early

This one sneaks up fast.

A month before moving, start using up:

Frozen food
Pantry items
Open condiments

I focused on making meals with what we had left in the pantry and freezer. This helped with moving a lot less stuff.

7. Keep Important Papers Together

Do not scatter these into random boxes.

Keep:

Closing paperwork
IDs
Birth certificates
Insurance papers
Medical records
Moving contracts
Financial paperwork

all in one folder or tote you personally carry with you. Even think about keeping a copy on your computer or external hard drive. I have needed a few things that I was thankful they were already scanned to my computer.

8. Measure Furniture Before Moving Day

Nothing humbles a person faster than realizing the couch won’t fit through the door.

Measure:

Doorways
Hallways
Staircases
Elevators
Large furniture

before move-in day if possible.

9. Set Aside Cleaning Supplies

You’ll need them at both houses.

Keep easy access to:

Trash bags
Paper towels
Vacuum
Broom
Multi-purpose cleaner
Magic erasers
Dish soap

Because moving is messy. Like… somehow glitter-appears-from-nowhere messy.

10. Give Yourself Grace

This might honestly be the biggest one.

Moving is emotional. Even when it’s exciting.

You’re leaving routines, memories, neighbors, comfort zones, and familiar spaces behind. Things will feel messy for a while, and that’s okay.

Not every box will get unpacked immediately. Dinner might come from a pizza box for a few nights. You might cry in the middle of assembling furniture. Totally normal.

A home takes time to feel like home.

And eventually, little by little, it will.

Have you ever forgotten something important during a move? Tell us the funniest or most frustrating thing you forgot because we know we can’t be the only ones surviving on coffee and cardboard boxes over here. Or have any great tips! I’ll take them!

Follow Grounded in Thyme for more real-life home tips, simple living ideas, and honest moments that remind us we’re all just figuring it out one box at a time.