For many of us (okay, just about all of us), moving day can be one of the most stressful days of our lives. An event to fear and dread. From whether or not all your belongings will make it through the day in one piece to whether or not you’ll make it through the day in one piece, moving your life from one place to another can be tortuous, cringeworthy.

But it doesn’t always have to be. Believe it or not, it can actually be a smooth day, maybe even a little fun. Here are 10 tricks that are sure to help you have a successful transition moving on up.

1. Don’t Stress About the Weather.

Is it going to be humid and you won’t want to move an inch? Is it going to be below freezing and your hands will stop working? Will it rain all day, producing a slick mud to trudge through? None of these things matter. You’ve got to move no matter what. Relentlessly checking the weather isn’t going to help nor can you control it. Better off to just be prepared for whatever the day brings. Have water on hand, extra gloves, and a good pair of boots.

2. Use a Sharpie.

Label all your boxes. By room, by floor, by level of fragility. Just knowing what’s in the box, where it goes, and how it should be handled can aid you in keeping things organized.

3. Phone a Friend. Or Two.

Now is not the time to be shy. Everybody needs helps moving and if you’ve got able friends who don’t mind assisting, take them up on it. Sure, you may have to pay it forward sometime in the future, but it’s well worth it.

4. Rent a Truck.

While the idea of saving a bit of money by carting your own things to and from your new place is tempting, the reality is that the hassle of driving back and forth and unpacking and repacking over and over far outweighs the monetary cost of renting a large truck that can fit all your belongings in one shot. Plus, you may be able to rent it all day or even for multiple days, so you can take your time unpacking the truck. It is certainly money well spent and you will be glad to have done it.

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5. Get Enough Sleep.

Yay for a new life in a new place! So much excitement! So much to look forward to! So much potential! This is all very true, but try to shut your brain off and get a bit of shut-eye the night before your big move. You don’t want to run out of steam halfway through the day or even worse, get cranky with those around you. A good rest will help you stay focused and cool.

6. Have Breakfast.

One of the best ways to keep you energized and alert throughout the day is to have a good breakfast in the morning. This is true for any situation in life, but most especially for something that will require both physical and mental stamina. Make sure that you give yourself time for a meal.

7. Know Your Route.

Having a firm grasp on the best way to travel to and from your old place to your new place will save time and commotion the day of the move. Make sure you know what roads are the most direct and what roads you can safely travel along with your load. If you only have a small window of time to get from Point A to Point B, this can be clutch.

8. Plan By Room.

Keeping the towels packed with the soap dispenser and toothbrush holder makes it easier to move those things into the bathroom all at once. Plus, you will know where everything is. Packing the shower curtain in the box with the kitchen knives makes no sense. And can also be dangerous.

9. Purge.

One of the best times to get rid of some of your clutter is when you are moving. Take out your moving boxes and a nice big garbage bag. Don’t be afraid to fill the garbage bag. There are bound to be things that you don’t need anymore. Unless you are convinced you can still find use for your high school prom glasses?

10. Remember Why You Are Doing It.

No matter what you do to try and avoid it, your frustration levels may be at their peak at some point in your move. So much so that you lose sight of what the end goal is. You are making a change in your life. Maybe for better, maybe for worse, but either way, you are opening up a new chapter in your book. And every new chapter affords a new adventure or experience. Try to remember why you are making this move. It might just be the thing to calm you down, help you breathe again, and finish out the day.

While the idea of picking up all your belongings to take them somewhere else might seem like a daunting task, it is possible to get through the day without tearing all your hair out. Some (or even all) of the above-mentioned tips are guaranteed to make things a little bit easier.