What is moving?

Moving is spending every waking moment bringing boxes from point A to point B.

Moving is pulling your back attempting to carry things while you're physically exhausted.

Moving is realizing your new landlord has one last trick up their sleeve to make your life slightly more difficult.

Moving is realizing you don't have power in one of the rooms and that the local water tastes like poison.

Moving is realizing you forgot the most important part to your bed at the old place so it will be another night sleeping on the floor.

Moving is realizing you don't have any food in your fridge and the first, last, and security made it so you can't buy some for another week.

Moving is running on your last nerve left and having it snap in half before you're even close to done.

Moving is sneezing in an empty apartment and become deaf from the crackling sound bouncing off the walls.

Moving is attempting to get used to the unsettling creaking the walls make and the shouts your neighbors produce.

Moving is trying to remember what boxes belongs where and who owns what.

Moving is staring at a wall attempting to determine where the prime spot for the kitty litter box is.

Moving is trying to convince your pets they are safe and can stop hiding in the closets.

Moving is now realizing you also have to figure out where to put the food bowls too.

Moving is trying to unpack boxes and being told that they don't like that stuff in that cabinet.

Moving is screaming “where the f- is the screwdriver?!” when in reality you’re sitting on it or it's under the instructions.

Moving is trying to figure out where you should hang the family photos.

Moving is dropping boxes on your toes and scratching your legs on the same edges.

Moving is wanting to cry and scream and punch everyone and everything in the face because you've had enough.

But moving is also the peace of mind that you have a roof over your head. That you have the basics you need to survive. That you won't be freezing yourself to death in the winter.

Moving is a whirlwind of every emotion life could possibly throw at you. It's tiring yet rewarding. It's too hot or too cold or even too rainy. It's everything you hate yet everything you need. Except for sleep, that comes after moving.

Here are a few tips I always forget to follow:

1. Move tools, cat litter, food, pets, trash bags and cleaning supplies first.

All of this will make your life 100 percent easier. The pets moving first might make your life more difficult but remember it is also their new home too. They're living the same emotions as you except with fewer boxes.

2. Move the whole bed set not just parts of it.

3. Color code the boxes to the room they belong to with little stickers. I attempt to do this every single time… And every single times I regret not doing it. The dollar store sells stickers perfect for it. When it's 10 p.m. and raining, do you really want to try deciphering what your hieroglyphics say?

4. Wash your dishes before using them. Wash your fridge. Wash your stove. Anything that food will touch at some point wash beforehand. Last thing you want is a stomach bug the second you finish moving.

5. TAKE PICTURES OF EVERYTHING!

If you're renting, photograph every wall, room, and defect you find. Even if you find it a couple days after, take a photo as soon as you see it. Also take a photo of your electronics when you're unpacking them. If bad things happen and you get robbed, it will make the insurance company more willing to reimburse you.

6. Rest. Please.

Take a day to relax if you feel like you're about to break from the stress. Both your mind and friends will thank you for taking a break instead of tearing everything to shreds.