Moving

Moving is never something I've been good at...which is disappointing considering how many times I've done it.  Seriously in the last 14 years since graduating high school I have moved 13 times, this is move 14 in just as many years (and I've lived in this apartment for 3 years). 

It's always been a stressful process, usually rushed and rarely with any help. The few times I've had help, I never found it helpful in the moment.  (looking back it was helpful). This time I promised myself it would be different.  This time I wouldn't put anything off. I'd do a little a day til its done. 

Here are some things that have helped thus far.

1. J has been super supportive.  He keeps me motivated and celebrates my successes with me. He doesn't get down on me if I'm not doing as much as him. 

2. I have a week day goal and a weekend goal.  - Not only do I work full time. It's a freaking pandemic and my mental health still needs to come first.  This means I cannot do as much M-F as I can on the weekend.  So the goal is 1 box a day M-F and 3 boxes a day on weekends.  If I do more awesome, if I only finish my 1 box that's totally okay because J knows he will probably have to pick up the rest. 

3. Doing it in a way that makes sense to me, even if it doesn't make sense to anyone else.  I know a lot of people have the philosophy of finish one space before moving on to the next, but I cannot work that way. I will finish my 1 box in one space and then move to a totally different space for the next box.  Today I packed my remaining books, desk supplies and all of my sheet music- yes if fills a whole box. Then I moved into my closet and dresser and packed up all the quirky odds and ends, photos, American Girl Dolls (yep and I even use them to teach this year), and knick knacks, then I finished off the day with my 2 sentimental boxes (the things you'd grab in a fire type possessions) and bagging up the clothes in the closet. I couldn't stay in the same room or space for more than an hour so I went back and forth between the two until I was done. It's what worked for me. 

4. There has to be music, for cleaning and packing I personally really like what can best be defined as the club music of my early 20s. 

5. Take breaks. I am sure I could have done more if I'd worked straight through today. But I would also be exhausted and to burnt out for the task tomorrow of actually starting to move stuff in, and we cannot have that.  So I'd rather take my time, use the fact we have until the end of March to be out of our old place and pack and move at my pace.  

6. Get movers for the majority of the boxes and the BIG STUFF.  We have 2 beds, 2 motorized desks, 4 desk chairs (it's been a rough year), a dresser, a piano, 2 shelves, 2 nightstand, and 20 + boxes of housewares. There are certain things I don't trust movers with that we we take over ourselves, but all the big things move over a week from today. 

This is easily the least stressful move I've done.  It's still a pandemic, we are still on our own for most of the process, but I feel much better about my ability to move again some time in the hopefully very distant future.  I'm really excited about this home and the opportunities it provides J an I to have our family and friends visit. We hope this works out for a long time to come. 

Signing off for now

-C