Moving is the adult equivalent of high school—everybody is very gungho about the idea, but it is only the ones with reasonable expectations who end up having a trouble-free move. Yes, it is a new abode, a new start, and the prospect of a awesome new life--but once that last empty moving van pulls away and you're standing there in the middle of your boxes, you have still got to do the actual work.
Managing your move with realistic expectations is fundamental to starting that new life on the right foot--and that means not only accepting the fact that a new house will not magically melt off the thirty pounds you want to lose, but that moving is emotionally exhausting even in the best circumstances and you and your family should appropriate the time and space to accept that.
One of the odd things about a local move--new abode, neighborhoods, schools--is that can be more difficult on the children than a long-distance relocation. A new home hundreds of miles away removes the never-ending requests to go visit their friends in the old neighborhood, and it is less difficult to welcome a new life and new friends when your old ones are in a different time zone.
But let’s get back to the topic. There are three Ps to think about when managing your move to or in Little Rock--Purge, Pack, and Pay. What you do not purge has to be packed, and the more you pack, the more you will pay. Expectation—I'll go through old stuff and only hang on to what I love. Reality--you love lots more than you believe you do. Whether you take care of your own packing or employ professionals, you've got to decide what is worth the time and money to move with you.
Purge
Purging is one of those strange words you do not hear very often, at least in a affirmative way. However, releasing the old baggage is one of the best ways that you can let your new abode to bestow your expectations of greatness. There are lots and lots of directions and tips to help you figure out the best methods to sort through your old things, from pragmatic--"if you haven't used/worn it in a year get rid of it"; to a little wacky--"toss all your negative energy out with the old towels". At its least complicated level, purging is basically going through all the cabinets, closets and drawers and making three piles: hang on to, throw away, donate. Or you might have four piles if you have got some next-to-new things that you do not need anymore, and consign those things.
A difficult thing about purging is keeping up the aloofness it requires to be relentless about throwing away items. If you kept all those pre-school paintings, how can you throw them away and be a great parent? Here's one suggestion—have a friend help you go through items and talk you through why you're keeping items that are really best to be gotten rid of. Having someone ask you out loud why you want to hang on to the 1980s cassette tapes does put things in perspective and you'll have a less difficult time growing the get-rid-of pile if you've got someone to support your decisions.
If your spouse is the one with the accumulator tendencies, here is a tip for helping a reluctant significant other say good-bye their treasures. Think small, and start with the kitchen junk drawers, try to limit handling of old matchbooks and old crayons to one time only and steadily get to more important possessions, like collections (for instance, select two or three porcelain bunnies and donate or consign the rest).
Join us next time as we go over managing your move subjects: Pack and Pay, in Part 2 of this blog series.
