How To Stay Sane While Moving
My mind {and life} for the past few weeks has been filled with moving thoughts - writing to-dos, last-minute doctors' and dentists appointments, packing lists, de-cluttering, yard sale planning, staging the house for rent, etc. Those tedious thoughts are what sometimes blocks me from being creative, and I'm not even half way done through the process. The second half will happen once we actually move in to our house in Miami with unpacking, etc., etc. How I've done it four times in six years is beyond me! I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
But there's a sugar coating to this madness - new places, new homes, new cities, new friends, and new experiences. I actually love it and I now find myself getting antsy when I know that time is coming to move all over again. So how do I keep sane with the moving madness? I don't have a magic trick or secret, but experience makes me an almost-expert in the moving category.
And today, the house is officially being packed up. For the next week, we will be surrounded by boxes until they ship out. It won't be a fun week in that regard and I have to say, this move is probably the hardest move to date. So while the stress of moving is inevitable, I've come up with some ways to staying sane while moving.
How To Stay Sane While Moving
1. Start planning as soon as you know you are moving. This includes putting your house on the market, booking hotels, getting a realtor in your new city, and gathering important documents to take with you.2. Make to-do lists. I have three categories: 1) to-do, 2) pack with me, and 3) things to sell or donate. Whenever you get overwhelmed with the lists, just know that all you can do is work down those lists one after the other. Baby steps will get you there.3. Celebrate every small victory. Don't let your accomplishments go unnoticed. Do something special for yourself - whether it's ending the night with a glass of wine, or giving yourself pats on the back. It will help keep your spirits up to stay positive during the process.4. Make time to learn about your new city before you move. This way when you get there, you will have an idea of what there's to do.5. De-clutter your home and don't move with things that you don't love {if you can}. I find that this is the best time to do a major spring cleaning and donate or take things to consignment. Organize a yard sale if you have the time.6. Surround yourself with things you love when you are packing. Play some music, open a bottle of your favorite wine, light up a favorite candle, order pizza, or play your favorite tv shows or movies. It doesn't have to be too tedious. The earlier you can start, the better.7. Keep your day routine as normal as possible. Of course you'll have a whole new set of to-dos, but make sure you workout regularly, meet friends for coffee, or have some lunch/dinner dates. Trust me, you'll need it all.8. Entertain and host a party with your current friends. I know this may be like the last thought on your mind, but taking a breather and catching up with friends before you leave is a great idea. It doesn't have to be a huge thing. Make it a potluck or order take-out. Just make sure you catch up with them before you hit the road.9. Pack your bag early on. You'll want to think about what things you will need when you get to your new city/home. Remember, the rest of your stuff may be in transit or sitting in temporary storage somewhere. I make sure to pack towels {even if we are staying in a hotel for a while}, pillows, bed linens, favorite candles, electronics, work files, important documents, some kids' toys, my pizza stone, and Chemex {I can't live without our homemade pizza or good coffee}.10. Schedule a spa session before you skip town or upon arriving in your new place - your body and mind will need it. A massage for your tense shoulders, a facial, a manicure, and pedicure will all feel good after all your hard work.
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