Moving is never fun, what with the packing and cleaning, deciding what stays and what goes. It becomes even more complicated when you have to consider that taking stuff means more expense (extra boxes, added weight in the truck, etc.), but leaving stuff means severing an emotional attachment to something. Downsizing or decluttering is good for the body and the soul, but getting rid of stuff can be painful, too. I have things in my drawers and cupboards that I rarely use but I’m keeping simply because they were my mother’s things. Should I pack those things? It seems silly, but they represent a small part of my past, a part of my mother that I can cling to. Is the sentimentality worth it?
Hmmm, what to do, what to do?
Because we are moving into a much larger home than what we have now, we should have room for every single thing. But, that big house we’re moving into is also already furnished. We don’t need our furniture, but some of my furniture is unique; one-of-a-kind items handmade specifically for us. I can’t give that away, nor do I want to. I love some of my furniture. My sofa is super comfortable. My dining room furniture can never be replaced (with the exact same items) and nobody will appreciate it like I do.
Hmmm, what to do, what to do?
And then there’s the closets. For 30 years I’ve worked in a professional environment; two-piece suits, pantyhose, heels, etc. I have lots of really nice professional clothes with matching shoes and accessories. I love my clothes. Will I ever wear them again? Probably not. I paid a lot of money for those clothes and shoes and accessories. Will I ever need them again? Probably not. Is it painful to part with my massive shoe collection? Heck yeah. Should I pack them all and try to find a place to store them at my new home? I don’t know. I have some really cool shoes. I love my shoes. Am I going to wear heels at the inn? Maybe once in a while. But, I love my shoes.
Hmmmm, what to do, what to do?
Finally, there’s the books. This one is a no-brainer. All 99+ boxes of books go into that truck (hey, I’m not the one loading the truck). No sorting, no downsizing, no emotional meltdown for having to part with even a single book. You want to know why? My new house has an honest to goodness, full-fledged LIBRARY!!!!! I can acquire even more books!
Life is good.
Do you find it hard to part with certain things? Do you hold on to things for sentimental reasons? If you had to pack your entire house and move, would you keep every single thing? What advice do you have for me about packing and moving across country? Come on, let me hear it.
Word of the Day: Sabayon
Fun fact about me: I’ve moved about 7 times in my life.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, June 2015. Photos courtesy Google Images and Patricia Rickrode.
I am at the stage of wanting to get rid of stuff and I’ve been collecting since college. I would have a difficult time with some of my antiques. In the end it’s just stuff. That’s what I would tell myself anyway…
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I know it’s just stuff. And like I’ve told folks in the past, there’s always going to be something cute out there if you give up this thing. I need to take my own advice, because I know that if I need something down the road, I’ll find it.
But . . .
Thanks for stopping by Susie.
Patricia
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You should see my house. You would laugh so hard. Seriously.
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what is with us and our clothes? I am the SAME way! I am not even moving, but I have WAY too many Zumba shirts, dance outfits, COSTUMES……then there is the winter stuff, and summer stuff, that trade places in my closet! Please don’t offer me any of you cool clothes, because I can never say no to someone else’s treasures!
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What? You’d take my clothes? Well that saves me a trip to Goodwill. (I’m kidding.)
I know what you mean about the dance clothes and shoes, because I’ve kept quite a few things despite what I donated. Funny how we get attached to stuff.
Thanks for visiting. I’ll see you Wednesday.
Patricia
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Ah, such hard decisions. I’ve downsized a few times, and it always feels good. I even downsized my book collection once. Gasp! But as for handcrafted items you can never replace…keep those!
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I know what you mean Suzanne about feeling good after you’ve purged. I did that the last time I moved and I’m doing it again. But there are still those things that keep moving around with me.
It’s so nice to see your pretty face today. I hope you’ll stop in on accasion when time permits.
Patricia
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The last time I moved, I vowed not to move again until I’m heading off to the raisin farm. I hate choosing what to keep, packing, hauling, staring at the stacks of boxes to unpack again and wishing I had Jedi powers to move everything with my mind. So, I’ll focus on the bright side: a library! Yeah! More books! I’m with you on the books, at least. No way was I getting rid of a single one. But the thought of never wearing panty hose again? That’s gotta be a highlight of your new career, right? Happy packing!
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Oh Coleen, I can’t tell you how excited I am at the prospect of getting up and putting on a cute little flippy skirt, tank top and flip flops and walking into the kitchen to get to work. No more sitting all day in uncomfortable clothes. No more sitting all day period. I am so looking forward to that.
And, yes, I will be adding to my library. It’s a service I’m offering our guests.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’re planning your trip to come see me soon.
Patricia
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I really am in need of a vacation…will you offer gluten-free options? 🙂
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For you? Whatever you need shall be yours. I’ve already been reading up on recipes for those with dietary restrictions. I’ve got you covered.
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Your own library? That’s AWESOME! As for the rest, my philosophy (with acknowledgement to Flylady): Do you love it? Do you use/need it? Does it make you smile? If the answer to all of these is NO, then out it goes! Good luck with this next phase of your exciting life adventure!
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Thanks Jennette. I have definitely asked myself those questions, especially with regard to my mother’s things. I don’t necessarily love her things, but I love her and since she’s not around any more, I need to hold on to her things because they make me smile and bring happy memories. Sometimes even just touching them makes me feel better.
Some of the shoes and clothes are definitely going away. There is just no way I can keep everything. My compromise? I’m going to get some cute new other kinds of clothes, like summer sundresses and cute sandals to replace the professional stuff. I do need a new wardrobe for my new job right?
As always, thanks for your support. I hope you and arrange your schedule in the near future to pay us a visit. Stay tuned for the exact location.
Patricia
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Ouch. It’s tough! I do not look forward to moving from my current home someday, although I’m sure we’ll downsize once the kids are grown. (Hang onto that table, though–gorgeous!) And what size shoe are you? 😉
I do ask myself that question suggested by just about all organizers: How long since I have looked at or used this item? Followed by: If this disappeared tomorrow, would I miss it? I can often get rid of a lot just based on those two questions. Best wishes! And congrats on the new digs.
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Thanks Julie. I have a lot of things that I look at all the time, but rarely use. But, now that we’ll be entertaining every single day, those infrequently used serving pieces and stemware will be put to good use.
I know all the “rules,” about “hoarding,” stuff, but it’s really hard sometimes.
My feet are malleable to some extent (I know – weird). I can wear anywhere from a 6 to an 8 depending on the shoe and the construction. Usually, the higher the heel, the bigger the size. Most of my shoes are 7 or 7 1/2, but a lot of my sandals are 6 1/2. Why? You want some?
Thanks for stopping by on this busy Monday. Next week I shall post my exact location for anyone interested in getting their rooms booked (and I hope you’ll be one of them).
Patricia
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I’m actually the person that goes through her closet every year, year and a half and gets rid of clothes. Here’s what I tell myself. I can’t have new until I get rid of the stuff that’s old or I’m not wearing. That’s usually pretty big motivation for me. But my work has always been casual so I don’t have a lot of good clothes and don’t buy a lot of new so what I have I keep. Now here’s my big challenge. I have all these CDs that I never listen to. Do I keep them or get rid of them. I could put them on the cloud but that would be a lot of work. So what do I do?
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Good for you on cleaning out your closets. That’s huge.
I also packed several boxes of cd’s. And even worse, I packed a box of record albums too. I still like to listen to old LP albums. I’ll find a place for them somewhere.
Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week.
Patricia
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Oh yes the LPs I have some of those too!
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I had a very difficult time getting rid of almost 2/3 of our belongings because of the high cost of transporting them across country. My first reaction was to cry for two hours because I definitely had sentimental things, especially of my daughter’s. The books were terrible and Ken panicked at moving them all. I got rid of about half of them, but shipped the rest by media mail thru post office so we didn’t have to deal with them on moving day. Until this move, I held onto everything including the clothes we wore the day we met. I am sure that doesn’t surprise you, Patricia. 🙂 Now that we’ve been here for over a year, I am finding some things I wish I had brought with us, but for the most part I am doing quite well without the stuff I didn’t bring.
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Thanks Paisley. I think I’ve ruled out the items that can go. There are still a few things that I’m uncertain about, but at least they are useful things that I won’t regret hauling; if I can just find a place for them.
As we get closer to moving day, it’s easier to let things go.
Thanks for stopping by.
Patricia
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My best advice is to only take the things that bring you joy! This includes things we love simply because we love the person who gave it to us, things that make us smile just to look at (or hold, or wear). Don’t keep it because you might use it, read it, wear it, or whatever SOMEDAY. Happy packing, girlfriend.
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Great advice my friend. I have a lot of those things that make me smile despite not ever using them. I simply see them and remember something or somebody wonderful. The clothes are easier because I know I can get fun new things down the road, but the other stuff is harder.
At least there’s lots of room where I’m going so I feel pretty confident that I’ll find little spaces here and there to tuck away those special things. And hopefully my friends will all find their way to the Inn to enjoy the places I choose to display them.
Thanks for visiting. I hope you’re doing well.
Patricia
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I brought all my “work” clothes to Oregon when I retired. Big mistake. Smaller closets and so I ended up donating four 50 gallon bags of clothes and shoes. And know what? I don’t miss them! I kept some dress up shoes and clothes, but even those I rarely wear. I’m in the laid back part of life now. Think I’ll go clean out my closet and donate some more, then I can buy more new casual clothes!! :))
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That’s what I’m thinking Diana. Make room for cute new more casual clothes. I love my shoes and I may have to hang on to them, just because, but the clothes can be updated.
Once I get started it’s not so bad, but opening those closet doors is hard.
Thanks for visiting and adding your thoughts. Seems like most folks have the same approach.
Patricia
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I’ve got no words of wisdom because I’m a few steps behind you in the weeding-out phase. (Please tell me there are steps after panic.) I already packed my grandmother’s china. I’m taking it because no one else wants it. My moving day is in six weeks. Moving/downsizing/weeding-out is hard, and I’m going 180 miles, not across the country. You’re a champ!
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So glad to see that there is someone else doing the same thing I am. I’m moving in 11 days. It gets easier as moving day gets closer (mostly because you get more tired and packing starts to become your worst enemy.)
I’ll let you know how many boxes end up at the goodwill store.
Happy packing. I know you’re going to love your new home and hopefully, now that I’ll be a little closer, you and your hubby can come by for a visit.
Patricia
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