So, here’s the deal: I’ve got OCD, and I’ve moved enough times to consider bubble wrap a personality trait. I’m pretty sure I’ve packed boxes in my sleep at this point. But no matter how many times I do it, every move still throws me off completely. There are random people poking through my stuff, and I’m just standing there wondering if I’ll ever feel clean again or if this is just my new normal. It’s not just annoying, it feels like someone ripped the rug out from under me and then lit it on fire for good measure.

But, hey, here’s what I figured out, the hard way: pretending my OCD doesn’t exist during a move never works. I had to build a process that actually fits how my brain is wired. Honestly, the one thing that saved my sanity? I started thinking of packing like I was setting up a science lab. Everything gets a spot. There’s a system. So if your brain works anything like mine, here’s what actually helped.

🗑️ Clear Bins or Bust Cardboard boxes? Anxiety traps, straight up. You close them and boom, instantly forget about what’s inside. Clear plastic bins are my MVPs. You can see everything. No need to open and re-open just to check if your favorite mug is in there or if it’s in the void. Plus, they stack so nicely. It’s weirdly satisfying.

🏷️ Labels Are Life And I don’t mean just “kitchen” or “bathroom” scribbled in mystery handwriting. I use the same Sharpies, same spot on the box, same everything. And I color code by room: blue for the bathroom, green for the bedroom... you get it. The consistency is what chills my brain out.

📋 Make a Simple List of What’s in Each Box I use my phone’s Notes app, but go wild with sticky notes or the back of a receipt if you prefer that. Doesn’t have to be fancy, just write down what’s inside as you pack. Something like:

Box 2: Toothbrush (brand new) Phone charger (the good one) That random kitchen drawer junk (cleaned and bagged)

✅ Say It With Me: “This Box Is Done” Once a bin is packed, labeled, and listed, I literally say, “This box is done.” Out loud. It might sound weird, but who cares? It helps me stop opening it up ten more times to double-check. It’s like a little ritual for closure, and honestly, I need all the closure I can get.

🧩 One Zone at a Time, Please Every time I try to pack from five places at once, I want to scream. Now I force myself to finish one area before moving on. Bathroom shelf? Done. THEN the bedroom closet. Otherwise, my brain feels like it’s running twelve tabs at once and none of them are loading.

🎒 Pack Your Survival Kit (aka “Anchor Box”) This is the bag or bin that never leaves your side. I put everything I know I’ll panic if I don’t have: meds, charger, snacks, wipes, hoodie, headphones, whatever. It’s like my emotional support box. Everything else can go in the truck, but this stays with me.

🔬 Turn Packing Into a Mini-Lab This one changed everything: I set up one table or counter as my “clean zone”. Think of it like how scientists have a clean workspace in a lab where everything has its place and stays super controlled. So I set up my own version at home. Only clean and finished stuff goes on the table. I keep sticky notes nearby so I can keep track of everything and to give myself a few little rules. Stuff like ‘no reopening boxes once they’re sealed’ and ‘only handle one box at a time.’ It gives me structure when everything else feels like chaos.

🔮 Your Weird Little Rituals? Totally Valid If you need to wipe down every mug before packing, do it. If you want to label stuff six different ways, go for it. If you gotta give the movers a whole PowerPoint about how to handle your stuff, more power to you. These aren’t quirk, they’re tools. And it’s your mental health on the line.

🧏🏻 Finding Movers Who Actually Listen I’ve learned the hard way that even the best packing system can fall apart if the movers aren’t on board. For my last move, I used LocalMovers.com to find movers who actually listened to what I needed. You can find movers who’ll actually respect your routines, follow your instructions and recognize that your system isn’t over the top, it’s what helps you stay sane. If your brain needs order to stay calm, it’s worth finding movers who won’t make that harder.