Moving Update: This Isn’t for Sissies
I’m laying with a heating pad on my back and wondering if 3:30 is too early for a glass of wine šĀ Every muscle in my body hurts and I haven’t lifted anything heavier than an empty box for days. We’ve been packing nonstop for weeks and I’ve been getting more stressed by the day.
There have been moments of levity which always keep things fun. I howled when my husbandĀ covered our couch cushions to keep them clean during the move. For a week we sat on black plastic bags which kept sliding off the couch and making the rudest noises when we sat down.
Our storage container arrived last Friday and was shoehorned onto our driveway. We thought it looked huge but managed to fill it and still have a lot of stuff left in our garage. One of us has a hard time tossing things out.Ā 
The name on the side of the container might give you a small indication of who. Iāve been calling my husband a packrat for the last few weeks. He packed everything and decided he’d declutter when we unpack.Ā I’d rather toss out now and move less junk but each to his own.
I number each box and keep a detailed list of what’s inside. That way we can reuse the boxes without crossing outĀ tons of words…been there,Ā done that before.
Sunday we hired 2 young professional packers to load the container. The more things that left the house the lighter and freer I felt. At this point, I don’tĀ care if I ever see 3/4 of that stuff again. I’ve collected many things throughout my life but what’s most important for me to collect now are memories. People and memories are priceless, things are just stuff.
We’veĀ still gotĀ lots to do before our house hits the market and things are getting pretty crazy around here. We’ll decide later ifĀ we unpackĀ that container orĀ live sparsely while we rent and explore where we want to buy.
Is your husband a pack rat? Are you?
Thanks for reading ladies and have a great day!
I missed the move somehow. Iām guessing after much research you have found a location that feels like it might be home. How exciting!
We still arenāt sure where we want to live so plan to rent in an active retirement community close to my grandson and see if we like it. The market is hot so now is the best time to sell.
My husband and I were both pack rats with many hobbies. Our basement looked like a huge train museum. When he passed away last June, it was time to move from the huge family home. What an undertaking (there were still Barbies and HeMan toys in the attic). Although my husband arranged for his friends to help me, I was never so sore in my life! My hands were even sore. It is all worth it though! I am in a beautiful town home not far from my daughter with plenty of room for my grandsons to visit. Best of all no more weeding, mulching, cutting grass or snow removal. So, look towards the future because it will be a good one! Oh, and you don’t stay sore forever.
It sounds like a perfect place for you!! I’m back on the heating pad now but I know it will soon be over:)
Hey Jennifer,
I empathize with you! I have moved across the country and back since 2010 & let me say that each time we moved (3) we got smarter & lighter! My husband is the pack rat…at this point I am almost a minimalist! We have really cut down & feel freer without all the āstuff,ā which at one point seemed so necessary. I am with you; get rid of what you donāt want at the onset! Who want to move stuff you are going to have to sell off at the other end. We did that the first move, but learned by the second and by the third we were proās. I remember aching all over too! Good luck with your move. For what itās worth…I would not unpack everything if you are only renting for a year or so unless you are doing it to sell off things. It becomes really easy to live with less once you adjust. I have been doing it for 3 years.
I sold real estate for 19 years, so I’m familiar with moving and putting up a house for sale. What are you doing with the packing container? Are you moving completely out of your house in order to put it up for sale? Or are you only packing the storage area and clutter so the house appears bigger? Wow! What a job!
I feel your pain! I am in the process of retiring and moving from New York to Palm Desert California. So not only do my work clothes need to be tossed but my very traditional furniture is just not up to California mid century style! Oh well, I do feel I could purge everything and not cry. I’m with you; I want to make memories and enjoy the rest of my life. I have worked for over 40 years, raised 2 great children and have been able to stay married for almost 46 years. Material possessions are temporary; memories last a lifetime!
It’s just stuff until it’s gone. My family and I lost 70% of our belongings in our January move from FL to MD when our moving truck had a catastrophic accident after the driver fell asleep, drove off the road and crashed. The whole experience has been surreal. We were meticulous in packing, marking the boxes, and staying organized, only to have our move turn into an absolute nightmare. We thought we hired a reputable company, but Eko Movers out of Cincinnati has treated us as if we were at fault. They’ve done nothing but create an adversarial relationship with us, and have done nothing to rectify the situation. Their insurance has been of no help, and it’s in am attorney’s hands now. What was an exciting move for us has turned into a total nightmare.
Iām so sorry Mike!! Thatās a nightmare. Precious things canāt be replaced but I sure hope your attorney prevails.
So strange…I first started reading your blog when you were packing your Island Home. Time does fly.
Good luck!
Ali
Does it ever. This home has so much more in it!!