Moving your belongings from one home or apartment to another isn’t all sunshine and roses. Whether you’re a college student who’s used to having to move in and out of your dorm or campus apartment, or you’re tasked with moving an entire home’s worth of belongings, there are several things that you can do to make the process a little less stressful and maybe even have some fun! And if you’re having fun, you’ll most likely be better at moving and get the job done in a timely manner. Keep reading to learn seven ways to make your moving experience easier and more enjoyable.

Never pack alone

The first rule for having a better packing and moving experience is to never pack alone. One of the most difficult things people find about packing is the idea of being in a room alone for hours on end without speaking to anyone. This can be easily remedied by having a friend stick around while you work. Or maybe you could offer to take them out to lunch if they help you out. Either way, having a friend nearby while you work will reduce the tedium and make it a more enjoyable experience in the long-run.

Have a plan

Another thing you will absolutely want to do is have a plan. Moving from a home or apartment is often so tedious because we don’t realize how much stuff we have until we actually start packing and moving everything to the car or moving truck. A great way to avoid this is by having a plan and a checklist in place so that you don’t waste any time walking through rooms wondering what you can do next. When you create your checklist, make sure to put everything in order. Make sure you start with heavier items and end with the lightest, then save all your cleaning for last so that you’re not working around all your stuff.

Planning ahead also means ensuring that you have all the items you need for the moving process. Here are some things you may want to consider: Moving boxes in a variety of sizes, cleaning supplies, a hammer to remove nails from the wall, vacuum, and more. What you will need will depend on your situation and whether you’re moving out of a home, apartment, dorm, or office. If you have all the materials you’ll need written down beforehand, you won’t have to keep running to the store or to a neighbor to ask for supplies.

Organize as you go

Having a plan is only half of the battle. You’ll need to make sure that you’re following your plan as you go and taking steps to organize your belongings so that you won’t have problems when it comes time to unpack. One great way to do this is to mark each box, indicating what you put in each one. If you’re moving into your new place and are wondering where your kitchen supplies are, you won’t have to go digging through the boxes, opening each one just to see what they contain. A quick word on each should be enough to indicate what’s in each box and allow you to bring each box immediately to the room it should be unpacked in. If technology is more your thing, try searching the app store for moving apps. Some will allow you to organize your boxes’ contents through the app allowing you to have a digital inventory of all your belongings. This may take a little extra time initially, but it will make unpacking a breeze.

Another great way to organize as you go is to have an area set aside for storing boxes after they’re packed making sure the heaviest boxes are easily accessible so they can be the first ones on the truck. All loose items that aren’t in boxes should go into the truck last.

Eat an energy-boosting snack

Finding the right snack can go a long way to making your move easier. If you’re like the rest of us when tasked with a somewhat overwhelming task, your natural survival instincts may kick in, making you go into sleep mode or play dead. Don’t let this happen! Eat an energy-boosting snack like dried fruits and nuts, whole grains, or a banana. It never hurts to get some coffee in you either. This way, you’ll avoid that sluggish feeling of being too tired to get anything done but knowing it has to get done at some point.

Don’t overdo it

One thing that many people do during the packing and moving process is attempt to pack the biggest boxes as possible and muscle them into their moving truck. We all want to prove how tough we are, but this typically isn’t the best time to show that. Taking smaller boxes and moving them carefully will prevent injury which can quickly lead to a much more complicated moving process. If you have to pack bigger boxes then make sure you have help.

Promise yourself a reward

Sometimes you have to channel your inner child and promise yourself a prize for when you get your work done. This could be as simple as a nice cold beer or maybe a day at the spa. Either way, knowing there’s a reward insight can help keep you on track.

Contact a professional mover

The most important step to having an easier moving experience is to higher a professional moving company that you can rely on. Atlanta Pro Movers are your local moving professionals in the Atlanta area. Our team is dedicated to your success whether you’re moving your apartment, home, dorm, or office. With nearly a decade of experience in the industry, we know how to perform an efficient move that leaves you as little work as possible. We are a full-service moving company who can help with packing, loading, moving, as well as providing you with storage solutions if you need them. Contact us today for more information.