I recently moved from Delaware to Maryland, and even as a REALTOR®, it was a lot to manage.

Life didn’t stop just because we were moving. There were still kids to take care of, work to do, dinner to cook, and a million little things that fill up a normal day. At the same time we were getting our home ready to list, searching for the right house, negotiating contracts, and packing up years of our life into boxes.

Moving is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Going through it myself reminded me just how much my clients juggle during a move.

Because behind every closing is a real life transition.

Where Do You Even Start?

That’s usually the first question when someone decides they’re ready to move.

Where do you even begin?

Do you start packing?
Do you start looking for houses?
Do you prepare your current home to sell?

Most moves really start with preparation. Getting your current home ready, organizing spaces, tackling small repairs, and figuring out what needs to come with you and what doesn’t.

And then eventually the packing begins.

The Reality Behind the Scenes

Preparing our home to sell took more work than I expected.

We made five trips to the dump. There were countless late nights painting after the kids went to bed. At one point we were living with the bare minimum while rooms were being packed up or worked on.

And somehow, like most families going through a move, we just made it work.

Because when you’re working toward the next chapter, you figure it out as you go.

How Many Boxes Do I Actually Need?

This was one of the questions I kept asking myself.

The answer is always the same. More than you think.

You start packing a closet and suddenly realize how much you’ve accumulated over the years. The kitchen alone can fill more boxes than expected. Then there are the random drawers, decorations, and things you forgot you even owned.

The Decluttering Stage

One thing that helped us a lot was decluttering as we packed.

Moving is the perfect time to take a hard look at what you actually use. If something has been sitting untouched for the eight years you’ve lived in your home, it might be time to let it go.

Donate it, sell it, or pass it along to someone who will use it.

Less stuff to pack means less stuff to move and unpack later.

Three Things I Learned While Packing

After going through this move myself, there were a few things I learned along the way that made the process a little easier.

1. Boxes get heavy fast
At first I thought I could just keep filling boxes until they were full. Turns out that’s a quick way to end up with boxes that are way too heavy to move. Reusable totes were great for heavier items and dishes, and large bags worked really well for blankets and softer items.

2. Declutter one room at a time
It’s really tempting to bounce all over the house when you start packing, but that can get overwhelming quickly. Working room by room made it much easier to stay organized and actually see progress.

3. Save the kitchen for last
The kitchen takes way more time than you think. Between dishes, small appliances, pantry items, and random drawers, it adds up fast. Waiting until closer to moving day helped us still function normally while packing everything else.

Just Like You

Going through this move reminded me why I care so much about helping my clients through the process.

Because I know firsthand how much there is to balance. Work, kids, schedules, showings, packing, and trying to keep everything moving forward at the same time.

If you’re thinking about making a move and wondering where to start, you’re not alone.

I’ve been there too.

Just like you.