Theoretical vs. Practical

Tim and I have talked a lot in the last few weeks about a new home; what we want, what we don’t want, where we would put things, what we would do with a new garden… all theoretical stuff. For some reason the other day we started talking practical; what order we would pack things, doing it ourselves vs. hiring a moving company (guess which one of us wants to do it ourselves, and which one of us wants to hire a moving company?!)… and it occurred to me that even though there’s no official offer on a place, and won’t be for at least another six weeks, maybe I should start packing now. After moving 23 times in 25 years, I bought this house in May of 1995. Next month I will have been in this house for 19 years. That’s going to be a lot of random crap to pack up. Or, if I get my shit together, a lot of random crap NOT to pack up. Our garbage container can expect to be pretty full for the next six weeks.

It probably sounds unreasonable to rent a small storage unit in order to start packing things up and moving them to get them out of the way so we can pack more things, eh?

Don’t answer that.

9 responses to “Theoretical vs. Practical”

  1. Bonnie Avatar
    Bonnie

    I think it’s a brilliant idea to start going through things now. I’ve only been in my house 8 years, and it makes me shudder to think how much stuff needs to go to Goodwill.

    1. Lorena Avatar
      Lorena

      I’m sort of thinking of doing a few before-and-after posts, but I’m afraid of what people might think of me seeing the “before” picture of the closet I haven’t been able to stuff anything else into in ten years. 😉

  2. Quinn Avatar
    Quinn

    Honestly, renting a storage place, or a pod, sounds brilliant. As one who has had to significantly downsize (which I get is not what you’re doing), I would recommend it. You don’t have enough room now, which is why you’re looking at moving. Where are you going to put all of the boxes?

    Packing always takes longer than you thought. If you don’t have to do it in a hurry then you can take the time to go through things and let go of the items that no longer hold any significance to you. You can also pack up all of the stuff you know you don’t want to get rid of, but don’t actually use or need first. Stuff like yearbooks or from school or college that you may want, but don’t need actively out.

    Then you could pack up/ move out the seasonal stuff. Just slowly work your way from the stuff you rarely use, to the things you need every day. It will also be easier to go through and make decisions that way.

    Feel free to tell me to go away.
    : )

    1. Lorena Avatar
      Lorena

      A POD!!!! That’s brilliant!

    2. Lorena Avatar
      Lorena

      PS. What is this “tell you to go away” bullcrap?! I *was* going to tell you that by New Years, the guest room will be set up and ready, so plan your Florida vacation. <3

      1. nakhira Avatar
        nakhira

        And you say that to the woman who hates the local winter – Brilliant!
        (helps Q pack for trip).

  3. Marie Stanley Avatar
    Marie Stanley

    Yep; pack up and POD the stuff you can’t trust to a mover; then in just a little while, let the movers do the rest .

  4. Gay Haldeman Avatar
    Gay Haldeman

    Here’s a helpful web site. It’s Flylady, who’s great for advice about decluttering. She has moving tips.
    http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/flying-lessons/moving/

  5. AnneB Avatar
    AnneB

    What Quinn said. My best friend is preparing to move and is using a storage unit to create more space in her home to get it market ready — plus then she’ll have half packed and has gotten rid of so much stuff the rest will be much easier.

    This comment is so badly written, but it’s morning, I’ve not yet showered (my coffee equivalent), and I’m typing on my phone. I hope it’s comprehensible.

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