Alright, let’s get real about your first move.
I screwed mine up so badly that my friends still bring it up. I want you to avoid that. So here’s the no-BS guide from someone who learned the hard way.
The “I’ll Just Wing It” Plan is a Trap
My plan was: get a U-Haul, throw my stuff in, and go. I didn’t own a single box. I figured I’d use garbage bags. Pro tip: Don’t. They rip. I lost a bag of my favorite t-shirts to a rain puddle. It was a tragedy.
You need boxes. Go to a liquor store. They have the best, strongest boxes for free. Get way more than you think. And for the love of god, pack your books in small boxes. I put all my college textbooks in a giant moving box and nearly gave myself a hernia trying to lift it. My back has never forgiven me.
Labeling is Boring. Do It Anyway
I wrote “Stuff” on a box. Just “Stuff.” What was in it? Who knows! It was like a terrible mystery game at 1 AM when I was trying to find a fork. I found a single ski glove and three remote controls, but no forks.
Be smarter than me. Get a sharpie. Write what’s in the box AND what room it goes in. “KITCHEN – Plates & Cups.” “BEDROOM – Winter Clothes.” You will thank your past self. Trust me.
The “Day One” Box is Your Lifeline
After moving all day, I was covered in dust and sweat. I just wanted a shower and to collapse. I found my shampoo, but my towels were in a box labeled “Bathroom??” somewhere under a mountain of other boxes. I had to air dry. It was pathetic.
Pack one box first. This is the most important box. It stays with you, in your car. Put in it:
- Toilet paper (I cannot stress this enough).
- A towel and soap.
- Your toothbrush.
- A clean shirt and underwear.
- Your phone charger.
- Snacks and a bottle of water.
- Any medication you need.
This box will save your sanity.
The Furniture That Won’t Fit
I had a gorgeous, long dresser from my grandma. It was the one nice piece of furniture I owned. We got it all the way to the door of my new apartment… and it wouldn’t fit. Not even close. We had to take it apart on the sidewalk with a multi-tool. It was never the same.
MEASURE YOUR DOORWAYS. Then measure your big furniture. It seems obvious, but in the chaos, you forget. Don’t be like me.
The “In-Between” Nightmare
Here’s one nobody tells you about. My lease ended on the 31st, but my new one didn’t start until the 2nd. I had nowhere to live for two days, and more importantly, nowhere to put my stuff. I ended up piling it all in my buddy’s damp garage. My mattress got a weird smell that never really went away.
This is the single biggest reason I wish I’d known about short-term storage back then. A small, affordable unit for just a month would have saved me so much stress and a perfectly good mattress. You can move your non-essential stuff in early, so moving day is way easier. Or, if you’re like I was, it gives you a safe, dry place for your things when you’re stuck in between homes. It’s not about hoarding; it’s about having a flexible plan.
You’ll Be Fine
You’re going to be tired. You’ll probably lose something. You will definitely argue with whoever is helping you move about the best way to get the couch through the door.
But you’ll also be starting an amazing new chapter. It’s your place. Learn from my dumb mistakes, make a simple plan, and you’ll be ordering pizza on the floor of your new home in no time. And if you need a little breathing room during the chaos, you know we’re here to help with a clean, safe spot for your stuff.
Now go pack a box. Start with the “Day One” kit. You’ve got this.
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