If you have selected and signed the paper on one of the many apartments for rent in Oakland, then a whole new process is about to begin. Yes, you have your new space, and, yes, you’re ready to get in there, get comfortable, and make it your home.

But one big hurdle stands in your way before that is possible: Moving Day. For some people, the actual day of moving can be very stressful and it’s enough to make people throw their hands in the air and want to give up.

However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Moving Day doesn’t have to be a pain in the neck. It can be quite easy! All you have to do is plan ahead and keep a few tips and tricks in mind.

What should Moving Day look like in a perfect world? Well, it’ll look a lot like this.

Start Early

You might not like to wake up early but you should always consider that the earlier you get started, the earlier you’ll be done. Getting going early on Moving Day is a key way to make sure you’re done before the sun has set. Be ready for a long day and make sure that the movers or friends who help you are also prepared and certain of their unique responsibilities.

Keep An Essentials Box

Moving and unpacking takes time, even if you start super early in the day. That means that you should have a special box that is filled with essential items that you will need on the first night in your new place. Think of things like your toothbrush, pillows, blankets, and basic bathroom and kitchen items. You’ll get to the rest of the stuff in time but you need to make sure your bases are covered during the first night in your new place.

Unpacking & Settling

Now that you have arrived at your new spot, it’s important that you gradually unpack all of the things that you have brought with you. Don’t rush at this point. You’ll get it all done and if you put too much pressure on yourself, it’ll only slow you down and stress you out. Instead, you need to take your time, do things with a schedule that works for you, and know that it’ll all get finished time.

The process of settling down doesn’t happen overnight and too many people are expecting too much at the end of a couple of days. Give yourself grace and know that moving day is more than just 24 hours long.

When you are moving, it’s vital that you do everything in your power to ensure that you’re comfortable, happy, and not feeling too much pressure. That is the fastest and easiest way to frustrate yourself and just slow down the entire process.