The move is complicated. Can’t load bookcases until the wires and cables are hidden behind them. Can’t unpack that because this is in the way. Where did I see the cat food? Tunuki needs to be fed. He won’t wait. Moving is actually a way to test your sanity, perseverance and patience. None of which I see as strengths I have in abundance. Or at all.
Elder statesman, Tunuki, resting on a box of interesting stuff.
Packed boxes need to be unpacked. This would be perfect if anyone who is moving had the exact number of items to pack tidily in a box. But that never happens. A box is small, so you have four T-shirts that don’t fit in that box. Well, here is a box of desk stuff that is loose and could use a topper. Use those T-shirts. But then you label that box “desk” because it’s mostly that. When you open it, you push it aside, forgetting that the T-shirts are only a cover. (You will never remember what is in every box. Ever.)
Did I pack the extension cords with the lights? No. I had them in a separate box. My husband found them first. They have now vanished, along with the dust mop. They will show up when I no longer need them and am buried in dust bunnies the size of buffaloes.
The studio looks like boxes exploded everywhere. I got up at 6 a.m. to spend 90 minutes reducing the boxes, and I have. But the stuff I needed is still cleverly hidden.
I’m discovering that there are life lessons in these boxes. Not just what I chose to keep, although that is a big part of it. The frustration of mixed-item boxes. There is a nightgown in a box of books I would never read in bed. There is a pair of running shoes in with office supplies. But no bathing suit, which would be nice to have.
The life lessons? You never get an experience all neatly packaged so you can understand it or learn from it in one easy lesson. Nope. Like the T-shirts over the reference books, your life lessons come in a mixed stream. Sometimes you can guess at the meaning, other times you just have to wait till you find the rest of the experience to have the meaning make sense. Sometimes you discover something you know is true, only to experience something else.
The view from my studio at 6:00 a.m.
Life is a lot like moving from one place to another–there is a great view, if you look over the pile of mess to really see it.
Quinn McDonald helps people put their life experiences in perspective.
I know all about moving… your blogpost makes me smile this morning! I remember, years ago, a friend helped us pack before our move. I told him to write on the box what he put in it… in the weeks that followed I kept on bumping into boxes that said “all kinds of stuff – Marit”… I pack my own stuff eversince! You describe the most important thing though: step over the boxes and look at the sky outside the window! Or take a breath and go for a walk exploring your new neighborhood (wear two different shoes or go out barefeet if you cannot find your shoes…)
I wish you luck unpacking, organizing and decorating. It IS fun to do if you can see past the frustration… really, it is! Hugs and windy kisses from the Netherlands to you my friend!
You have moved so much more than just houses, you’ve moved your heart and soul. We are decorating as we go along, and that does make it more fun.
Oh, such a great post! I had to print it out and put it on my fridge. Love it!
Awww, thanks!
You say it so well.
Having just moved about 6 weeks ago, and still having some studio stuff to unpack/find I can so identify with this. I am also pretty sure I am missing a box of books, or a box with a couple of books in it. Not sure where it could be. I moved across the street, didn’t see any boxes laying on the street, in the yard. So where the heck is it???? And why does this happen each and every move?
One of life’s mysteries. Also wonder why it is easier to get rid of stuff when you are unpacking rather than packing? Maybe it is because I have time? Not sure, but I do know that 5 big boxes of stuff have left since I moved. So that is 5 boxes of stuff I will never have to move again. Box 6 is 3/4 full, once I feel better I hope to get that out the door as well.
Enjoy the unpacking, in some ways it feels like Christmas. In other ways, oh never mind…. 🙂
I think it’s easier to get rid of stuff while unpacking, rather than while packing, because we’re so frustrated at that point and we’ll throw away just about anything.
That is such a big truth!
My bathing suit has not turned up. It was in a dresser and all the other clothes are back in the dresser. How can a bathing suit disappear? Maybe it’s next to your box of books. It’s funny, my husband gets rid of stuff after we moved in, I get rid of stuff before. We each are sure we are right.
Quinn, I knew there was a reason we are friends…I don’t have sanity, perseverance or patience either. Ok, I guess I do have perseverance but I am sorely lacking in the sanity and patience department. I wish I could help you with the unpacking, I’m a great organizer but that doesn’t help organizing someone else. One tip: for me, it works better to make a bigger mess initially and then straighten that mess out. For instance, unpack 2 or 3 (or 4 or 5) boxes for the same room, take everything out of them and then tiptoe around the mess and put everything where it belongs. The extras in the boxes (t-shirts, running shoes, etc.) go in another room until you find the time to put them where they belong. It’s a lot messier initially but it’s so much easier when you can see everything. This is how I also unpack groceries and I zip right through it.
Call if I can help!
That’s an excellent idea. It keeps me from having to move 50 books as I find another box on the same subject. I’m starting the studio tomorrow and will use that idea!
Moving, a great opportunity for clearing out but I seem to still have a few boxes unsorted after 5 years so I thought to unpack a single box . . . just looking for something other than what I found you understand. What I found were some wash cloths packed around 8 old mis-matched sherry glasses that I hadn’t been ready to get rid of . . . I am now (I think) but who would want 100 year old etched sherry glasses? I’m using the wash cloths and the grandhearts had fun refilling 2 of the dainty glasses with milk from a jug at breakfast. No, I still don’t seem to be able to get rid of them but at least a couple of them have a temporary and novel use.
There’s no message or lesson that I haven’t received many times in this: I have my hearing aide turned down.
Oh, sherry glasses are wonderful! Float fat flowers, one to a glass. Fill it up with milk and add vanilla to some and coffee to others. Taste surprise! Cooking Man used to squeeze fresh orange juice into a shot glass for me–I’m not allowed to have a lot, but a shot glass made it seem so special!