OT: House FINALLY on the market

shana

After a month of non-stop work, our house is finally on the market today and we have our first showing tomorrow! I'm excited to move forward and and yet I am also a little anxious about moving to a new city, finding a new place to live, making new friends etc.

Who knew that two people (well four really) could accumulate so much stuff!!! My closets are literally overflowing and this whole experience has made me realize that I need to make better choices and learn to let go of items that I am not using. A closet purge is definitely in order as soon as I get a chance but I will definitely have to fight my inner hoarder along the way. I know the general rule about only keeping items that you have worn in the last year. Any other tips on what to keep and what to say goodbye to? What about accounting for weight fluctuations? Is it so bad to keep some fat clothes just in case???

15 years ago

General

8 replies

Latest reply was from April

Debora

Veteran

Yay! Big step for you Shana! Congratulations on taking the big plunge! As one who has moved frequently, I find that it's one of the best ways to purge your closets I always found that it's much better to go through them before moving than waiting til you get to the other end. So much less to unpack on the other end! It's a big job but it will be so worth it to have the family all together again.

15 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Oh how exciting and terrifying!
I don't think there is anything wrong with keeping some looser clothing for bloated/comfy days. We all end up needing those at one time or another. I wouldn't keep a whole other wardrobe in a bigger size, since that seems to be asking for trouble.
I do have some advice on packing when you get to that stage. I learned this through the experiences of moving 8 times in 10 years (or something like that- I forget the exact numbers now). When you start packing, give every room a color and do the labeling in that color (green in for kitchen, blue for living room, etc) so that you can tell right away what boxes go where. You can do it with colored dots or just write in that color marker. Number your boxes for each room as you pack them- starting at one. (So you will have living room box 1- however many boxes go to the LR, kitchen box 1- however many go in the kitchen, etc) Box up the things that you don't need in your every day life first- book, knickknacks, seasonal items, and try to work in order from the last things you really need access to daily to the things that you will want to have unpacked first. When you get down to the stuff that you really need from day to day, it should just be a box or two left for your actual moving day- those will go into a color coded box by room and marked OPEN FIRST. When you get all of your stuff into your new place, immediately open those boxes and put them away. You can now function on a day to day basis and unpack the rest as you have time- in numerical order from highest to lowest.
This was really the easiest way for me to deal with a move, so I hope it helps!

15 years ago

Debora

Veteran

I usually try to break it up and work my way room to room, finishing the closets and drawers in one room before moving on to the next. Somehow, it doesn't feel quite so overwhelming that way. Get rid of the things that you definitely have no use for and keep the things that you are unsure about. You can always revisit whether to keep or toss when unpacking. Make sure you set aside any seasonal items (bathing suits, etc.) that you may need right away at the other end. It may be awhile before all your boxes get unpacked and you'll be able to locate them again. Hand carry all valuables, expensive jewelry, medications, and important documents. I always pack a box of bed linens and towels and make sure to label those to open first so I can make up the beds for the first night in the new house. I also take the tool box in the car with me, rather than packing it with the garage items, as there are often items that need to be assembled right away at the other end (beds, etc.).

I just know that you are going to come through this move with flying colors!

15 years ago

Louise

Veteran

Shana I'd get rid of all the larger clothes. Last year 3 of us went to slimming world and all lost weight i chucked all the clothes which didn't fit the other 2 didn't. If my jeans feel a bit tight i know i need to cut down. I have kept my weight off sadly my 2 friends haven't because they just started going back to the larger clothes so my strong advice it to GET RID x

Edit- unless the weight fluctuations are medical and can't be avoided? x

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Stressful but fun! Good luck with showing your home.

I'm going to make it very simple for you - dress for the body you have now and keep only the items that you love that fit. No ifs or buts. Start afresh - less is more.

15 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I really have no practical advice but wanted to with you could luck with the viewing and your subsequent move. Oh actually yes, be very careful about your treasured items, I've had some wedding photos and a one of kind necklace go missing when I moved which still makes me feel sad.

15 years ago

shana

Veteran

Thanks everyone! I feel very jittery and can't sleep - I'm so nervous. Wow, Debora & Khris - you sound like pros! Thank you for all the thoughtful advice.

This is actually a corporate relocation for us so I don't have to do the bulk of the packing myself. It's actually our 4th corporate move and I've never had to move myself since I was in college (which is probably why I'm such a packrat)! My husband likes to joke that we are professionals and professional moves. Anyway, the movers come in and pack, box & label everything - and I mean everything since they'll even pack the trash!

I do have to do alot of sorting and make sure everything is in the right room so that the living room stuff ends up in the living room etc. We usually have a few boxes that are labelled "early out" so that we get the stuff that we need right away.

Debora, that's a great tip about the tool box! Since my husband is already living in our new location in an apartment, I just need to move the essentials & valuables down there with him and then have the bulk of the household go with the movers. I'll have to remind him to take the toolbox at the end.

Julie, I know! I'm always stressed about my treasures and my I'm not talking about real valuables like my jewelry or photos which I'll move myself but silly things like my sea shells from the Northern Sea or my vast book collection or my letters (some of which I've had since grade school)!

15 years ago

April

Veteran

Yay, Shana will be a little closer! When you're all settled, we should do another YLF East Coast meetup in Philadelphia.

How is it going? I think moving is stressful and overwhelming even if someone else does the packing.

No advice on keeping or getting rid of clothes, except to say that I would LOVE to do a thread with pictures of people's closets. Think anyone would be brave enough to post?

15 years ago

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