Moving. Just the mere writing of the word makes me cringe. I do not think I will ever move again.Seriously. It was exhausting. When I first started getting things packed I was very organized. Went to our local home improvement store and bought moving boxes, sharpies, bubble wrap, and lots and lots of tape. Spent quite a bit of money on these items but i thought of it as a “making my life easier “ purchase. I started to pack things I did not use on a day to day basis. Carefully wrapping fragile items in bubble wrap, taping it well ,and marking each box with my new sharpies the items in the box and what room they are from while jamming to my favorite playlists. I found it actually enjoyable ... AT FIRST! Looking back now, I should have donated the items I did not use on a day to day basis. How many serving platters do I really need?
After way too many days of sorting, wrapping, and packing I was losing my mind. It was not like packing was all I had to do with my time. Even then I think I would have lost my mind. I am also a mom, a wife, the household manager , and a Real Estate Agent working full time so I could only devote a certain amount of time to packing. On top of all this I needed to be on top of the home sale. Paperwork, Negotiating, and calling all our utility companies to disconnect services.
Our home was 3300 sq ft. 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, an office, a home bar, and a bonus room which was filled with my daughters musical instruments with one being a piano. Should have sold that with the house. Have you ever moved a piano? I understand why they have many skits about it in comedy shows and movies. Not fun! And did I mention how not fun having stairs are when moving?! Stairs in the house and stairs to get out of the house as it was an elevated house. I completely understand that famous line from the TV show Friends when Ross is screaming “ PIVOT” . It was said on more than one occasion during our move.
After tearfully gaining a few pounds, eating fast food and foregoing my exercise routine, the last week before our closing, I could finally see the light at the end of our home selling process. Our family helped kick it into overdrive and we exhaustingly got it done.
Now the fun begins. Time to move into our new place. All those boxes of things I didn't really need will now have to be unloaded from the pod. Why did I save half of this stuff? I could have saved time, energy, and a small fortune just getting rid of it in the beginning instead of getting rid of it now. What do they say about hindsight? UGH.
If you are planning a move, take these hard lessons of mine to heart. Don't waste money on new boxes. Reach out on social media to see if any one has any boxes. Check your local stores to see if they have any boxes they can give to you. Put lots and lots of tape in your cart then add more. No matter how much you buy, you are still going to run out.If you don't use it...lose it! Don't take things with you to the new house if all you plan on doing with it is stuffing it in a closet or cabinet. PURGE NOW.
Be prepared for the weight gain. Ordering pizza, chinese, and fast food burgers are going to be your new norm so accept it.
Life will be hectic for a while. I am not fully unpacked and I still dont have most of my things from storage. We are doing it one day at a time versus seeing the overwhelming effect of my hoarding and staring at numerous stacked sharpie labeled and triple taped boxes of things I do not need . Living out of boxes will make you question everything in life. You will wonder why the heck you decided to move.. Why you chose to do this to yourself. But it will get better. Eventually. I think.