Moving can be incredibly stressful. Ideally, you will have plenty of notice that a move is happening and time to figure out the details. However, you may find out you need to move on short notice, or you might have a tendency to procrastinate. In any case, moving quickly is possible, though you may need to shift your approach. Here are 6 tips to help you have a successful move, even if it’s rushed:

1. Logistics First

The first step to the moving process should be to figure out the details of how things will go down on moving day. Are you hiring movers or renting a truck? Will you have friends helping? When do you need to start, and how late should people plan to help? People need notice, so figure this out first before you start packing.

2. Get Rid of the Clutter

In order to save time when packing you should start by going through your home and getting rid of anything you don’t need. Sort everything into 3 piles: trash, recycle, and donate. Don’t spend too long trying to make decisions, the important thing at this point is speed. Once your piles are done be sure to clear them out before tackling the packing so your space stays organized.

3. Pack the Essentials

Any move should start with the packing of an essentials bag. Include anything you might need in the next couple of days like toiletries, chargers, and a few outfits. Also throw in any important paperwork you need to keep track of. This way you don’t have to worry about accidentally packing something you need when you’re in a hurry!

4. Pack the Rest

Don’t overthink it, just pack! You goal now should be getting things in boxes. Here are a few tips to help you do that:

• Don’t sort, just pack.
  Don’t worry about organization or keeping similar things together. Just make sure everything is packed safely!
• Use what you have efficiently.
  Use things like clothes, socks, and towels to pack more fragile items. This saves you money on packing supplies and cuts down on time since you will have less to pack separately.
• Keep box clutter to a minimum.
  Set up your cardboard boxes as you need them. Once one is finished, tape it up, put it aside, and set up a new box. This will help you stay organized and cut down on cutter.
• Pack what you can as-is.
  Put garbage bags around hanging clothes and tape shut any dressers and file cabinets that can be moved with their contents intact.

5. Get Help

The fastest way to move in a hurry is to get friends and family to help you pack. Be sure to provide a meal or some baked treats as a thank-you, and stay on task. Don’t let packing turn into a purely social gathering.

6. Let the Movers Do Their Thing

If you are hiring movers, many companies will help you pack your items in addition to loading and unloading everything. You might end up paying more for supplies and services, but it might be worth it during a rushed move!