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Moving can be both fun and overwhelming.
On the high side is the excitement of a new adventure in a new place.
But the time and effort to get ready for the move can be stressful. If you have been in a place for quite some time, deciding what to take or get rid of can cause the calmest of people to become emotional about parting with their things.
Will your furniture and mementos fit in your new home? Are there pieces that are worn out that need to go to the curb? Are you downsizing and need to donate some of your belongings to a good home or charity?
My son has moved 13 times in as many years.
The first move was from home to college, to a furnished apartment with three roommates. Everything he took with him fit in the back of our SUV as we drove him to his to new residence. Over the years, he relocated first to a dorm, then to a fraternity house, adding a futon and small dresser to his belongings. Eventually he moved to a one-bedroom apartment and then shared a house with a friend, with each move adding a new piece of furniture or two. Fortunately, he was able to transport his things himself in a couple of carloads.
The first major move was post-college and his few meager belongings — many of them second-hand —fit into a small trailer, and off he went across several states to a small apartment. He picked up a few more pieces of furniture along the way, and a year later he needed a small truck as he headed west to his next job.
Three years and two places later and now married, back across the country they went to attend graduate school. After spreading out in two-bedroom apartments, and acquiring many new items from their wedding, they had to consolidate everything into a tiny space in a big city. Where would everything fit? It was time to get organized.
With quite a bit of planning, and storing many of their things, they spent the next two years in tight quarters. They learned to live efficiently, maximizing every inch of a tiny space.
Finally, graduation, a new job and yes, another move. After years of renting trucks, each one bigger than the last and maneuvering them across the country, they found a better solution, using moving containers that could safely hold their belongings and would be picked up and delivered to their new home.
It’s hard to believe they weren’t done relocating, but now they knew how to do it right. Two more moves later, they have finally settled down and have purchased their very own home.
It took several years and several moves to become the relocation experts they are. My son’s advice? Have a plan in place to reduce the stress, which includes getting organized and not taking on every aspect of the move yourself.
We may downsize ourselves someday. It’s always great to learn helpful tips from your son!
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Photo: Getty Images