What I've learnt from moving house
Moving is one of those things that is stressful and I don't think I've found a single person yet who hasn't had atleast one stressful moment whilst moving. I never moved house as a child however in my adulthood I have moved out 3 times. This time is sort of my 4th. I say sort of because we are putting our stuff into storage for the summer then moving back - we're in uni accomodation.
Also, as a side note I've loved uni accomodation (stayed in 2 different kinds) and I know some of my friends have hated it so unfortunately it really is down to the uni I'm afraid.
Anyway, the point of this post is to make a list of the things I've learned through my experiences in moving. Maybe you can relate or maybe you could learn/prepare yourself after hearing some of the mistakes I've made along the way.
1. It's going to be stressful.
Accept that fact now and trust me you'll be better off for it. FINDING somewhere to live is hard enough and you think you've got over the worst of it but then actually MOVING all of your worldly possessions is a whole other kettle of fish. Regardless of whether you are organised or in love or the best of friends with the people you are moving with there will probably be some form of argument. They won't also be big bust ups, sometimes it will be a bit of snapping here and there, but just know that no-one is really angry - you're all just stressed. It really isn't worth screaming at each other about.
2. Get some boxes for crying out loud!
Trust me. Boxes, plastic or cardboard, will be a life saver. I don't care where you get them from whether it's a shop or the recycling bin just get some boxes and make sure they're sturdy. Keep track of what's in them with post it notes or by just writing on them and future you will thank you. Suitcases are great as well if you are making several trips. Whatever you have - if it can be filled with stuff...FILL IT.
3. Sometimes you've got to let things go.
Okay, we all have that junk drawer/cupboard/room in some form or another. Sort it. Sort it now. There is no point in moving things to your new place then sorting through them and realising you are going to throw/recycle/donate half of it anyway. I'm not necessarily talking about clothes but just take a second and think - do I really need all of those half dead batteries or scraps of paper or those broken shoes? Probably not. I know it seems like an added stress or a waste of time but please just trust me that yet again future you will thank you.
4. It's okay to keep things.
Now I know this seems to contradict my last point but this is more to stop you from getting purge happy. I have a drawer at home which is full of receipts and tickets from shows I've been to or places I've visited on holiday that I will one day scrap book. I'm not about to throw those things away just because to someone else it is junk. I have a few dresses that I've only worn a few times but you know what I'm keeping them just that little bit longer because I do really like them but don't really go out enough to wear them. Once you've started sorting it can sometimes open the flood gates and suddenly EVERYTHING is going. I am a person who struggles to let things go but even I find that sometimes the spark just takes hold of me and I become 'brave' and get rid of bags and bags of things. Unfortunately, you will occasionally regret giving something away. I regret not checking my VHS's better when we had a sort out a few years ago and now my beloved Beauty and the Beast VHS is gone forever. Atleast, I have the Christmas special.
5. Date check.
Still in the same vein of throwing things away - check the dates on things. I'm taking about those tins you've had in the back of the cupboard since you moved in and if you had been in school would have gone to the harvest festival donation because you forgot and told your mum the day you had to take something (sorry mum ♥ x) Look at your medicince cupboard and check EVERYTHING. Ideally we should all check the dates on things before we take them but I'd be lying if I hadn't just assumed things were in date all the time. If it's out of date and it's a tablet or syrup it's got to go! Plasters are a bit less of a worry to be honest but seriously just be careful with medications. Oh, also if any of you have just one or two tablets of antibiotics left - 1. Please, please, please don't stop courses before you are done unless the doctor says so! Antibiotic resistance is seriously becoming a worry. 2. GET RID OF IT! A days worth of antibiotics is seriously not going to help anyone.
6. Little jobs = little worries.
If possible try to pack things away a bit at a time. I know it's hard because there are things you still need to use i.e. shower gel, shampoo, towels, plates etc. However, just do a bit here and there throughout the day or week and soon it will add up. Sometimes you will hit a point where you do need to just do a large chunk in one go but I'm sure you can tidy away your bookshelf or that stash of spare toiletries for now.
7. Be realistic.
Rome wasn't built in a day, neither will your room/house be packed up in one day. It's also a struggle doing it all by yourself. Okay, so there will be some things you want to do yourself such as emptying your room if your living with friends but give each other a hand or get an extra pair of hands if you can. The work will take less time, you'll have more fun (seriously put some music on and it will all be better) and you can celebrate sooner.
8. Take a moment.
Packing is hard. It is stressful. It can also be really sad. Even if you're moving on to bigger and better things or just need to get a change of scenery leaving behind somewhere you've lived with all those memories trapped inside can be really sad. Maybe it wasn't perfect. Maybe it had some mould (I'm looking at you old flat - gosh I miss you). At the end of the day you will have those memories of your time spent there and it's okay to take a moment and reflect on the past before heading off to the future.
-
Some of these things are basic knowledge but sometimes you forget the simple things whilst trying to tackle the complicated. I hope this has helped you in one way or another or even just entertained you.
Good luck on moving into your futures,
Sophie x
Also, as a side note I've loved uni accomodation (stayed in 2 different kinds) and I know some of my friends have hated it so unfortunately it really is down to the uni I'm afraid.
Anyway, the point of this post is to make a list of the things I've learned through my experiences in moving. Maybe you can relate or maybe you could learn/prepare yourself after hearing some of the mistakes I've made along the way.
1. It's going to be stressful.
Accept that fact now and trust me you'll be better off for it. FINDING somewhere to live is hard enough and you think you've got over the worst of it but then actually MOVING all of your worldly possessions is a whole other kettle of fish. Regardless of whether you are organised or in love or the best of friends with the people you are moving with there will probably be some form of argument. They won't also be big bust ups, sometimes it will be a bit of snapping here and there, but just know that no-one is really angry - you're all just stressed. It really isn't worth screaming at each other about.
2. Get some boxes for crying out loud!
Trust me. Boxes, plastic or cardboard, will be a life saver. I don't care where you get them from whether it's a shop or the recycling bin just get some boxes and make sure they're sturdy. Keep track of what's in them with post it notes or by just writing on them and future you will thank you. Suitcases are great as well if you are making several trips. Whatever you have - if it can be filled with stuff...FILL IT.
3. Sometimes you've got to let things go.
Okay, we all have that junk drawer/cupboard/room in some form or another. Sort it. Sort it now. There is no point in moving things to your new place then sorting through them and realising you are going to throw/recycle/donate half of it anyway. I'm not necessarily talking about clothes but just take a second and think - do I really need all of those half dead batteries or scraps of paper or those broken shoes? Probably not. I know it seems like an added stress or a waste of time but please just trust me that yet again future you will thank you.
4. It's okay to keep things.
Now I know this seems to contradict my last point but this is more to stop you from getting purge happy. I have a drawer at home which is full of receipts and tickets from shows I've been to or places I've visited on holiday that I will one day scrap book. I'm not about to throw those things away just because to someone else it is junk. I have a few dresses that I've only worn a few times but you know what I'm keeping them just that little bit longer because I do really like them but don't really go out enough to wear them. Once you've started sorting it can sometimes open the flood gates and suddenly EVERYTHING is going. I am a person who struggles to let things go but even I find that sometimes the spark just takes hold of me and I become 'brave' and get rid of bags and bags of things. Unfortunately, you will occasionally regret giving something away. I regret not checking my VHS's better when we had a sort out a few years ago and now my beloved Beauty and the Beast VHS is gone forever. Atleast, I have the Christmas special.
5. Date check.
Still in the same vein of throwing things away - check the dates on things. I'm taking about those tins you've had in the back of the cupboard since you moved in and if you had been in school would have gone to the harvest festival donation because you forgot and told your mum the day you had to take something (sorry mum ♥ x) Look at your medicince cupboard and check EVERYTHING. Ideally we should all check the dates on things before we take them but I'd be lying if I hadn't just assumed things were in date all the time. If it's out of date and it's a tablet or syrup it's got to go! Plasters are a bit less of a worry to be honest but seriously just be careful with medications. Oh, also if any of you have just one or two tablets of antibiotics left - 1. Please, please, please don't stop courses before you are done unless the doctor says so! Antibiotic resistance is seriously becoming a worry. 2. GET RID OF IT! A days worth of antibiotics is seriously not going to help anyone.
6. Little jobs = little worries.
If possible try to pack things away a bit at a time. I know it's hard because there are things you still need to use i.e. shower gel, shampoo, towels, plates etc. However, just do a bit here and there throughout the day or week and soon it will add up. Sometimes you will hit a point where you do need to just do a large chunk in one go but I'm sure you can tidy away your bookshelf or that stash of spare toiletries for now.
7. Be realistic.
Rome wasn't built in a day, neither will your room/house be packed up in one day. It's also a struggle doing it all by yourself. Okay, so there will be some things you want to do yourself such as emptying your room if your living with friends but give each other a hand or get an extra pair of hands if you can. The work will take less time, you'll have more fun (seriously put some music on and it will all be better) and you can celebrate sooner.
8. Take a moment.
Packing is hard. It is stressful. It can also be really sad. Even if you're moving on to bigger and better things or just need to get a change of scenery leaving behind somewhere you've lived with all those memories trapped inside can be really sad. Maybe it wasn't perfect. Maybe it had some mould (I'm looking at you old flat - gosh I miss you). At the end of the day you will have those memories of your time spent there and it's okay to take a moment and reflect on the past before heading off to the future.
-
Some of these things are basic knowledge but sometimes you forget the simple things whilst trying to tackle the complicated. I hope this has helped you in one way or another or even just entertained you.
Good luck on moving into your futures,
Sophie x
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