Adding further evidence to my scattered tendencies: the number of times I have moved between 1998 and 2009. In some ways this number of moves feels shameful (embarrassing), but in others, it’s just honest. And I don’t think I would change much about it, except for the way it affected people along the way – mostly, my parents.
Just for ‘fun’ I thought I would list the moves (city A to city B, and the year), but then thought it better of it. It could give someone WAY too much info that could help them steal my identity!
I moved NINE times between 1998 and 2009.
Two of those trips were cross country (well, three if you count the one getting me to MA in the 1st place).
But yea – in 2000 and in 2005 I ‘tried’ to see if CA (where I grew up and where most of my family still lives) was the right place for me, and both times, MA called me back.
Now I am moving AGAIN – but this time, six (almost seven!) years after moving into my husband’s home. This time, into a house we’ve built together, from the ground up. And this time, it’s is no easier than the prior moves… And now, we have more STUFF and our bones and muscles feel the ache a little more intensely.
My research and my experience tell me that, during any time of transition, it’s important to keep some ‘normalcy’ in one’s daily life… AND it’s important to know what one needs to let go of.
Here is what I am committed to, per my ‘usual’ routines –
- wash up
- yoga
- dress to shoes
- begin to sip hot lemon water while puttering around
- breakfast
Here is what I have to let go of, temporarily
- Home-prepared meals – we’re maintaining good breakfast to some degree, but with everything packed, I am dependent on prepared foods and restaurants (of course, the relief of not having to figure out meal plans is a gift, even if my tummy will punish me later)
- Working on my business, i.e. this here, LivingBluPrints – other than to blog on occasion … (I have big plans and need to wait until this move is passed, the current house has closed, and our budgets are fully understood, reset, etc.)
Here is what I think is going well
(due in part to my extensive move experience, and my work with NAPO and the study of * systems* these last four years)
Recognizing and fully accepting this statement of truth: EVERYthing needs a box. How many times have I been all ready to move, and all these weird miscellaneous things are scattered about the space … all because I couldn’t decide on a box or category. This time I remind myself that everything needs a place and I just pack… I’ve got files mixed with clothes and that’s ok. (<- this is me reassuring myself!) Moving is messy!
- I’m hoping this labeling process works as well as it should! There are only four categories of stickers (kitchen, living room, master, office) but it should help ease the need to direct the movers. I also got some huge post-it’s to label the rooms, so they can match the label to the sign!
- Recognizing and fully accepting this statement of truth: SLOW AND STEADY wins the race. We are not going to be settled immediately. I am committed to have the kitchen mostly unpacked within the 1st two days, and the bed made as soon as the movers leave.
- Some things won’t get unpacked for a little while, but emptying 3-5 boxes on days I am home (not going into the city for work) is TOTALLY reasonable.
Post-Move Food Reset
Once the kitchen is settled, I plan to do a mini cleanse of sorts. I’ve been TRYing to avoid a high percentage of processed foods (a real struggle on many levels). So once I re-gain access to all of my kitchen tools, I will hunker down and clean things up, nutritionally speaking.
What do you think?
Do you have any special tips to share – things that have helped you stay sane through the move process?? I’ve love to have you share below in the comments!
Here’s to giving ourselves grace through times of upheaval!
Linda
- 055 – BE MORE REFRESHED AND LESS DISTRACTED BY GIVING YOUR BRAIN A BREAK
- 054 – WHY YOUR BOSS MIGHT NOT BE FIT TO LEAD YOU, AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT
- 053 – RESET CHALLENGE RECAP (HOW I GAINED MORE FOCUS AND FREEDOM IN 10 DAYS)
- Clarity of Focus
- Corporate Thriving
- Curveballs
- Energy Management
- Exercise / Fitness
- Growth + Change
- Habits
- Meal Planning
- Office Overhauls
- Organization
- Personal Profile
- Planning
- Procrastination
- Productivity
- Re-Set Challenge
- Self Leadership
- Self Management
- Space Overhaul
- Systems
- Time Management
- Tips+Bits
- Uncategorized
This last time I moved, we combined two homes (7000+ sq ft) into an RV (428 sq ft), and we packed things away for a year until we decided where to live. After two years of RV travel we still don’t know quite where we want to live, much less know what kind of house we’ll be in — will I have an office? Will we have a sun room?
So it’s a good thing I was a militant *itch about making inventory lists, insisting that people write down every category of what was in the box, assign it the next box number on my inventory list, and label the box with box number and key words! I said to the kids and helpers, if you don’t want to do it like that then don’t pack any of my s#it.
I learned the hard way from my parents, who moved us around quite a bit for my dad’s job, left dozens of unpacked boxes in the garage, and lost the family photo albums for 30 years.
Now that our stuff will be in storage for 3 (?) years, the inventory list is KEY…and it sits right beside my computer in a drawer in the RV.
Congrats on your new place and good luck with the move!
Val – thanks for your comments! I agree that inventoried numbered boxes are the way to go. I did that with the initial set of stuff packed (what we put in storage in Nov in order to get the house ready for the market). This was KEY for when Tom wanted to get the play station out at Christmas! He knew exactly what box to go to. I applaud you for your militancy with the packing effort. If we’re going to own and value so much *stuff* we should make it as usable and accessible as possible!