Boxes Everywhere

I probably don't need to tell you that moving is a pain. Overwhelming is not a big enough word for it. I've moved six times in the last eight years, so maybe that makes me an expert, or maybe not. At any rate, I have learned a few things that have helped me feel less overwhelmed.

If you're moving yourself, spend a hundred dollars and buy some boxes from U-Haul or Lowe's. Pack everything possible in the boxes and label them--what's in the box and what room it goes in. It's easier to pack things up ahead of time, label your boxes, and stack them neatly in a designated area. I suggest buying from U-Haul or Lowe's or some other box store because they'll be uniform and easier to stack. When it comes time to move, just load them into the truck. They ride safely, then at the new location, you can stack the boxes in the garage or in one room, out of the way, and haul them in one at a time to the right rooms and upack them as you go.

When I helped Conor and Liz move last year, late in the afternoon, after making many trips up and down stairs, Liz stood in the middle of boxes piled in the kitchen, looking overwhelmed and said, "Tell me what to do." Everywhere she looked there was work to do!

I know from experience that you will feel beetter if one room looks done, while the rest of the house looks like a warehouse. "Put your dining room table and chairs together, " I told her. "Clear everything out of the dining area and you'll have one finished room (albeit the easiest one.) So, she found a screwdriver, put the legs on the table, set the chairs around it, and even found the modern decorative bowl for its center--and felt better.

Which brings me to a final point. Make the place yours as soon as you can. That means hanging artwork and setting out your favorite things. It will make you feel at home, and the sooner you feel at home the better!