The Stress of Packing & Moving

I was in total freak-out mode for an entire week.

Now I’m better.  Kinda.

We officially move on the 29th of June, but my bags are packed, and the truck is loaded and on its way to Virginia.  For a week and a half, it will just be us four, our mattresses, and several paint brushes.

All of my clean clothes are packed.  Whatever is left is in the hamper.  This morning, when I was getting ready for work, I realized I was left with several odd items of clothing – a dress without leggings, a shirt without pants, an exotic leafy print skirt with no shoes or shirt.  I definitely have a bag-lady vibe going on.

I’ve already warned my coworkers.

If you thought first impressions were difficult, try last impressions. No one ever talks about those.

(And, just because I know someone is thinking I wore dirty clothes to work…I did NOT.  I can manage a small quick load before work. I’m pretty much a master of last-minute.)

Tuesday morning my husband woke up, turned to look at me, and said, “I am SO glad you’re going to work today.”

He’s afraid of me right now.

I’m afraid of me right now.

The thing is, I don’t really need to be stressed.  We are moving into a gorgeous old home overflowing with character.  We have a lovely church family waiting for us, and I’m excited to start this new chapter of my life.  So, why I am stressed?

I think I’m a little scared.  It’s a lot of change all at once, and I’ve gotten comfortable.  I know the people in this town, even the cray-cray people.  I don’t know the people in Virginia yet; their culture is still a mystery to me. The thought of starting over is a bit ominous.

These are the times I need to rest in the fact that God has things under control.  He’s got a plan and a purpose, sees the beginning from the end, and knows what the future holds.

He’s probably agreeing with my husband.  I need to chill-out and eat some chocolate.

So, I thought I’d share some things I’ve learned about moving.

Moving Tips

•  Don’t do it all at once. Packing your entire house in a weekend may seem like a good idea, until you begin.  By the time the tenth box is packed, you’ll be tapping out and crying uncle.  Give yourself time.  If you’re selling your house, don’t wait until the weekend before your closing to begin packing.  Begin packing before you even call a realtor.

 

• Start with storage.  Pack the things you don’t use everyday first.  It may seem simpler to begin with the things you use constantly, like the stuff in the kitchen or in your living room, but start with what is in the back of your closet, or better yet, in the attic.  Your daily life won’t be interrupted, and you won’t be unpacking freshly packed boxes to get things you need.

 

• Label your boxes.  Labels don’t have to be fancy, but certainly make sure you mark your boxes.  “Kid’s Room – Summer Clothes” is a sufficient label.  Once you get to your new house, you’ll undoubtedly need something and forget which box it’s in.  Labeling will save you from a future headache.

 

• Don’t pack garbage.  I know, DUH!  But, you’d be surprised by how hard it is to say goodbye to your child’s broken baby toy, or that old worn-out pair of shoes you’ve had for twenty years.  Let your junk rest in peace, in the landfill.  Take out the trash.

 

• Buy lots of tape.  Also, collect more boxes and bubble wrap than you ever think you will need.  You’ll use it.  It always takes more moving supplies than we estimate.  If you have too much tape by the end of your move, you can return it.  Returns at your convenience are a lot easier than running out when your house is upside down.

 

• Delegate.  Don’t try to do it all yourself, unless you must.  If your children are old enough, make them pack their own rooms.  If they don’t do a perfect job by your standards, lower your standards.  The goal is having a packed house.  Do what you must to reach that goal.

 

• Use out of season clothes to wrap fragile items.  That winter coat may be the perfect cushion for your dining room lamp.  Make your items do double duty.  Thick clothes, extra towels, and guest bedding make perfect cushions, as do couch pillows and throw blankets.

 

• Prepare a box, bag, or tote with items you’ll need right away – sheets, soap, pillows, etc.  If you prepare one box of essentials, you won’t have to rummage through ten boxes in order to find one fitted sheet.

 

• Use aluminum foil to wrap your jewelery, especially your necklaces. Pull out a sheet of foil, and lay one necklace on the foil, fold and repeat. Your jewelery won’t be in a tangled heap when you arrive at your destination.

 

• Use plastic wrap to cover filled utensil trays or desk drawer organizers.

 

• Pack in your baskets, plastic bins, totes, etc.  Utilize what you have.

 

• Don’t forget to breathe. Not everything will go smoothly. There will be hiccups along the way.  You will survive (sing it with me – I Will Survive!).

 

I can’t wait to make the final move and begin unpacking.  Last night I ran to Walmart for welcome mats. I don’t know if they are an actual necessity, but having them made me feel a little more settled.  I’m weird that way.

I also downloaded a shark tracker app, because if I’m going to live by the ocean, I want to know where the sharks are before they nibble on my leg.

Ya know?