While Americans dread the planning and packing stages of moving, the promise of a fresh start keeps them moving. Knowing the\u00a0dos and don\u2019ts of moving<\/a>\u00a0can set you up for success, and based on our findings, the clearest path to alleviating moving anxiety begins with proactive pre-move preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n Moving is an emotional marathon that impacts nearly three-quarters of Americans. Our survey found that while more than one-third (37%)<\/strong> feel a mix of both stressed and excited, stress is the predominant emotion associated with moving: Nearly 1 in 5<\/strong> report feeling stressed or anxious, and over 18%<\/strong> feel overwhelmed ahead of a move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The emotional toll can exceed stress, as nearly three-quarters of Americans<\/strong> have felt depressed <\/strong>before and\/or after a move. The most common causes of these feelings include leaving friends and family behind (33%<\/strong>), navigating financial stress (28%<\/strong>), and feeling nostalgic or comparing their new home to their previous residence (26%<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finding ways to save money on your move<\/a> can certainly alleviate some stress, but because several factors contribute to moving anxiety, managing it often requires proactive planning and a strategic approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the thought of sorting through years of accumulated belongings makes you sweat, you\u2019re not alone. For more than 50% of Americans<\/strong>, packing is the most stressful phase of moving, accounting for decluttering and downsizing tasks. While figuring out how to pack<\/a> and actually making the move tend to be some of the most stressful parts of relocating, more than 1 in 5 respondents<\/strong> indicated that all stages were equally stressful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And even though decluttering is one of the most stressful parts of moving, nearly 2 in 5 Americans<\/strong> say that undertaking the task well in advance helps relieve their stress \u2014 making it the most-cited way to reduce moving anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Around one-third of Americans <\/strong>report feeling too overwhelmed to unpack<\/a>, leading to boxes lingering for weeks or months after moving day. Having a plan in place for packing and unpacking can help prevent this kind of stress, so you can more easily settle into your new home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The stress of moving stems from a combination of practical challenges and emotional disruptions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Leaving behind friends and family was the top reason for feelings of depression, with one-third of Americans<\/strong> indicating the change as a likely cause. Unsurprisingly, financial stress also contributed to these feelings for 28% of respondents<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moving is a complicated and overwhelming process, and several factors may contribute to anxiety and sadness, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moving can be a significant source of stress and anxiety, but proactive strategies can help alleviate these feelings. While Americans often pour hours into a DIY approach for moving preparation, smart strategies like early decluttering and detailed planning are highly effective in minimizing stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Making a detailed plan in advance is an effective way to alleviate moving anxiety for more than one-third of Americans<\/strong>. Creating a comprehensive moving inventory list<\/a> and task checklist, setting timelines for each stage, and organizing important documents can bring a sense of control to an otherwise chaotic process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider mapping out your new home’s layout, planning where furniture will go, and even scheduling utilities in advance. A good plan acts as a roadmap, guiding you through each step and reducing feelings of overwhelm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though decluttering and packing are some of the most stressful parts of moving, doing so well before the move is the top anxiety alleviator for nearly 40%<\/strong> of Americans<\/strong>. By decluttering early, you can sort through your belongings at a relaxed pace, deciding what to keep, donate, sell, or discard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of those who cited decluttering as a stressful process, nearly 45%<\/strong> indicated that tackling the process ahead of time would alleviate their anxiety, and 41%<\/strong> expressed that creating a detailed plan in advance would have a similar effect, suggesting that being proactive and having more time to prepare are key to minimizing moving stress<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taking time off work can significantly help alleviate moving anxiety, according to 33.27% of respondents<\/strong>. Achieving a healthy work-life balance is a struggle for many Americans, and when you throw the stress of moving into the mix, it becomes even more challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For 38%<\/strong> of Americans<\/strong>, balancing family responsibilities, work, and the moving process is a significant source of stress, and nearly 20%<\/strong> have experienced a decrease in work productivity as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dedicating specific days or even a full week to packing, coordinating logistics, and addressing last-minute tasks can reduce the pressure of juggling professional responsibilities with moving demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A lack of storage is a leading cause of clutter for more than two-thirds of Americans<\/a>, and 17% <\/strong>find that self-storage helps relieve their moving stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moving non-essential items or furniture into a storage unit can reduce clutter in your home, allowing for easier cleaning, packing, and staging for sale. This can also provide a buffer during unforeseen delays, ensuring your belongings are safe and accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n Getting help can significantly reduce the burden and stress of moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Full-service movers<\/a> are most valued for a smooth move, with 31.4% of Americans <\/strong>indicating that this service would help reduce their moving stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on your budget and how much you want to be involved in the moving process, you can get help from different sources, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amidst the chaos of moving, incorporating stress management techniques can be surprisingly effective at keeping you level-headed, according to 21% of Americans<\/strong>. These practices can help you maintain a sense of calm and clarity throughout the process. Some of the most common practices include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter how many times you\u2019ve moved, you may still feel tense, stressed, and on edge when you have to start packing. Given the elevated levels of moving anxiety that stem from decluttering and downsizing before a move, the best solutions may involve a proactive approach to packing and finding extra storage to minimize clutter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By making a plan, decluttering early, and using helpful resources like self-storage, you can turn a potentially overwhelming experience into a smoother, more manageable fresh start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ready to conquer your next move? Let us help you take the first step toward a stress-free relocation.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n We surveyed 1,010 U.S. adults ages 18 and over via SurveyMonkey Audience for SelfStorage.com, LLC on June 25, 2025. Data is unweighted, and the margin of error is approximately +\/-3% for the overall sample with a 95% confidence level.<\/p>\n\n\n Article takeaways<\/h5>\n
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Moving Anxiety Affects Nearly 75% of Americans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMore Than Half Blame Decluttering and Packing for Their Moving Anxiety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhy Is Moving So Stressful?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How To Cope With Moving Anxiety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Make a Plan <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Declutter in Advance <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Take Time Off Work To Prepare <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Consider Self-Storage Options <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n Keep your belongings safe and accessible<\/h2>\n Find self-storage options near you!<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\n\n
5. Ask for Help <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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6. Try Stress Management Techniques<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Make the Stress of Moving More Manageable With Self-Storage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n \n Ready to conquer your next move?<\/h2>\n Find self-storage options near you!<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\n\n
Methodology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
FAQs<\/h2>\n