I'm moving and I'm getting stressed out!

[Aurora63]

Gotta do major packing and cleaning today, but I can't seem to get off my butt.

We're outta here on the 10th. gotta be done by the 9th as we are leaving at, like, 5 am on the tenth to drive to our new home, which is eight hours away.

All I wanna do is curl up in a ball!

 

[stinkerbelle]

oh i feel for you...but just dive in! you've only got a few days left! trust me - once you start throwing stuff in boxes, it gets easier!

 

[safetymom]

There will be moments when you want to quit or wonder why you decided to sell and move. But trust me it is so worth it when you are sitting in your new home. I just did this in Dec. I had to sort through and pack 29 years of stuff.

 

[Rajah]

For me when I feel that way, it helps to go ahead and give in to the "curl up in a ball" feeling. For 15 minutes. Let yourself hide for just a few minutes, but don't give in to the temptation to do it often or long. Just a few minutes. Then jump in and get the rest of it done.

 

[FINFAN]

Put on your favorite music...prefferably upbeat and just start going! I would make sure to write detailed info on the boxes at this point, or # the boxes and write on a notepad what is in each one so you can find what goes where when you move in. Once you take control of the packing you willl feel better. I wish we were moving! Good Luck!
Pam

 

[wendyl]

Divide it into small tasks. We just finished packing and moving ourselves our of state, so I can sympathize.

Tell yourself, that you are going to completely pack a bathroom (or any smaller room)--and then you will let yourself "curl up into a ball"

Then, chances are--you will be energized by having made some progress, that you wont need a break. If not....then "Be the Ball", for 15 minutes as Rajah suggested, and then go for another room.

Good Luck

 

[Sleepy]

I thought I was the only one...lol. All of my stuff is getting shipped off to Italy on the 8th and I can't motivate myself to get things organized. THat is not like me. Maybe has something to do with the number of times I have moved in my life...something like 22 This is my first overseas move and I am nervous. Good luck with your move everyone!

 

[palmtreegirl]

We just moved twice in the last year, the first was out of our house we sold, then into my parents while our new house was being built. When we moved into our new house all the aggravation and stress was well worth it!

When we moved I marked the most important boxes with a red marker *VIB* very important box. lol. that helped us when we first moved in, I opened those boxes first. I also marked some with garage/basement/attic etc...so I knew that they weren't anything important and I could put them away for awhile and not worry about them.

Good luck!

 

[Sleepy]

Originally posted by palmtreegirl
When we moved I marked the most important boxes with a red marker *VIB* very important box. lol. that helped us when we first moved in, I opened those boxes first. I also marked some with garage/basement/attic etc...so I knew that they weren't anything important and I could put them away for awhile and not worry about them.
Good luck!

I always label the boxes with whatever items are inside, give it a sticker (with a number)on every side of the box ...including top, and then on a piece of paper write Box 1..towels and sheets, etc. I find this the easiest way to find what you are looking for. I keep each box organized....never have a box with towels and tools. Buy some tape at U-Haul that has FRAGILE written on it in red letters. Place that tape on sides of boxes that have breakables. Much easier to see than writing it with a black marker. Marking the boxes on the sides rather than on the top make it faster to identify when they are stacked. Keep the boxes light and buy a DOLLY! THey are a lifesaver.

I had 32 boxes at my brothers house that I just picked up for my move. My mother was wondering how much my son weighed when he was 6 months old....she wanted to compare with my fat nephew same age...lol. I have several baby souvie boxes. It took me 1 minute to locate the box that had his baby book. I never had to move a box. My system works.

 

[safetymom]

Don't do what I did. I labeled boxes for my office but I had a lot of them. I should have labeled it with the contents. I don't think you should list any valuables on the boxes though.

Also be ruthless with what you pack. I went through all my stuff but still moved way too much stuff. I have to go through the boxes here one of these days and give the stuff away.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I hear you, Aurora! I'm in the middle of a move. Have been in a hotel for TWO WEEKS now! I was the same way when I had to leave my home. Put everything off for days...I guess the thought was too overwhelming. It didn't help to try and break it down either. LOL! You'll get it done, don't worry. And I remember thinking that I used to hate it when my boss...Last minute Susan...would hand me things to be done too close to the deadline. Here I was doing basically the same thing on moving! Good luck with your move. I was supposed to close on Monday...pushed to today...bank messed up check...GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR...pushing closing to tomorrow! I'm praying!!

 

[Aurora63]

Well, I did get some major things done today...

Our laundry room is clean and empty.

The second bathroom is also clean and empty.

So is the dining area.

The second bedroom closet...the behemoth of junk...is underway, with much progress made. This morning you couldn't see the floor. Now the floor is nearly clear.

I've thrown out lots of stuff today, taken some things to Goodwill.

I am off again tomorrow...hubby is off for the rest of the week...so I think we will be okay. It's just overwhelming sometimes. Tomorrow I have to get the oil changed in my car, take books that we never read to the library (as a donation), decide which clothes we keep and which get shipped out, take more stuff to Goodwill, deliver our computer desk to the girl who is buying it...sometime in there I suppose I should also sleep and eat, but we'll see, right?

Thanks for all the encouraging words!

 

[LuvN~Travel]

I know how you feel. We've finally gotten moved into our new place. Of course we've been without hot water for over a week, though!
The owner FINALLY got a new one in today. Of course now we're just trying to get the washing machine to work.....
You have my sympathies.
Kim

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by Sleepy
I always label the boxes with whatever items are inside, give it a sticker (with a number)on every side of the box ...including top, and then on a piece of paper write Box 1..towels and sheets, etc. I find this the easiest way to find what you are looking for. I keep each box organized....never have a box with towels and tools. Buy some tape at U-Haul that has FRAGILE written on it in red letters. Place that tape on sides of boxes that have breakables. Much easier to see than writing it with a black marker. Marking the boxes on the sides rather than on the top make it faster to identify when they are stacked. Keep the boxes light and buy a DOLLY! THey are a lifesaver.

----------------------------------------------

This is exactly what I'm doing.. It takes more time (which luckily I have) but when we finally DO move in with my DD and her family it will be SO much easier for the guys (knowing if the totes & boxes go in the bedroom; basement/office area; attic; etc.) and it will definitely be easier for me to unpack..

I absolutely HATE digging through tons of boxes trying to figure out where my stuff is..

 

[lulugirl]

I feel your pain! We moved two months ago, I just hate being in that "transition" phase...
Do you have anyone that can help you?
Good luck!