Hi Neighbor!

It is hard for me to believe I have been living in my new home for over a week.

Which means just over seven days ago, my weary head was sleeping in another house a mere mile away.

At one point, I thought it would NEVER happen as I frantically packed boxes, hundreds of boxes, containing close to twenty years of accumulated “stuff.” It was a mad dash to the finish line, but I got it done.

So, yes, I have moved out and moved on. And yes, I made what felt like a thousand trips between the two houses gathering every forgotten shovel, broom, pillow, and lightbulb that did not make it on to the moving truck. Nothing was getting left behind on my watch!

Amid the anticipation, aggravation, and anxiety leading up to and following the move, I learned a thing or two, not only about myself, but about the process. Let’s face it, moving is daunting, and several times over the course of the last two months, I have had plenty of friends tell me moving is one of the top five most stressful life events we may deal with.

I lived to tell, and now I would like to share with you what I learned:

1. People are resilient. We may handle the stress and the change differently, but in the end, after the boxes are packed and the moving truck shows up and the internet has been connected in the new house, we adapt and adjust. Life will go on, no matter the circumstances. We will go on amid the circumstances. Deep breaths help – and long walks with the dog in between packing and purging. We will find our way again.      

2. More items (furniture, dishes, framed pictures, tchotchkes, etc.) will make the move than you have space for in your new home. In spite of best efforts and plans to eliminate objects before the move, unnecessary items will still be relocated whether across state lines or from one neighborhood to the next. Shrug your shoulders and resign yourself to the fact that you did your best. These items can be discarded, so do not fret. They may take up valuable space in your garage for the foreseeable future; be patient with yourself.

3. Unpacking will take twice as long as it did to pack. The sense of urgency is gone. Theoretically, you have the rest of your life to get settled in your new abode, so chances are you will walk around boxes for weeks…months…into the New Year? I am not going anywhere, and evidently neither are the boxes.

4. It will take several ‘relocations’ before all of your belongings are settled in their new resting place. For instance, trying to set up my new kitchen in a pattern similar to my old kitchen proved to be challenging. I wanted it perfect from the beginning but in the end, I just wanted the boxes emptied, so I have spent the last few days rearranging dishes, bakeware, and coffee mugs from one cabinet to the next.

5. There is a company to help assist with everything, and I mean everything. Packers and organizers can start in your home the minute you say “GO!”  Estate sale companies help sell the furniture you no longer have room for, and online auction sites can facilitate getting rid of artwork, China, and crystal. Also, moving companies can assist with packing and the final cleanup when the house is empty.

        Yes, moving is quite a lucrative business.

6. PECO recycles. I found out about this little tidbit when I was trying to get rid of an old refrigerator in the garage. Plus, you get a rebate. Bonus for being environmentally sound.

Moving takes patience, tons of patience. When you are feeling frazzled, and you will, dig deep and find some more restraint. You will need it, but you will survive.

To new beginnings,

Jackie