This is how I imagine our moving experience:
This is the reality:
Having said that, I have a couple of tips for moving (not that I have that much experience with this or anything like that).
1.) Pack books in small boxes - all that paper is heavy!
2.) Focus on one area at a time when packing (one closet, one bedroom, etc)
3.) Whenever possible leave items in drawers for moving transport. ie no need to unload dresser drawers, move the dresser full. If it's too heavy you can slide the drawers out and move them one at a time.
4.) No matter how much you purge and only bring what you absolutely have to, you'll find yourself wondering why on earth you decided to move this or that when unpacking boxes at your new house.
5.) Move all boxes into as little space as possible at the new house. That way the whole house isn't strewn with boxes. Bring one box at a time to the room it belongs in and unpack it completely before moving on to the next box.
6.) When unpacking, focus on one room at a time. I find that the bedroom is the most important. If at least I can sleep in a place that isn't cluttered with boxes and feels somewhat "settled" I'm a much more settled person.
7.) Old house mess stays at old house. Dust, vacuum, clean whatever it is - ie no dusty shelves or desk or table or etc comes to the new house. We're not moving dirt.
What advice would you add to this list?