My husband and I have only moved once in the almost 5 years we have been married. The first time we didn't own anything except a couch, tv, 4 pots and pans, and clothes.
But really. That was kind of fun. It took all one truck load to move us.
5 years later....not so fun!
We had been trying to sell our house over the last 6 months so I had already cleaned out the clutter and organized my entire house. "Moving will be a breeze" I said. "Everything is so organized and ready to go" I say.
UM NO! What the heck man!?! I honestly look at the basement and feel like I should be on an episode of hoarders. It's suffocating.
But really. That was kind of fun. It took all one truck load to move us.
5 years later....not so fun!
We had been trying to sell our house over the last 6 months so I had already cleaned out the clutter and organized my entire house. "Moving will be a breeze" I said. "Everything is so organized and ready to go" I say.
UM NO! What the heck man!?! I honestly look at the basement and feel like I should be on an episode of hoarders. It's suffocating.
So here is what life has taught me throughout this process:
1. I want my children to share a room
When Abram was born I took time to set up his nursery. When I found out I was having a little girl next...I took even more time to set up a nursery! Chandelier, mirrored dressers, floral, purple. You get it. I wanted them each to have their special space. What I've noticed as they have gotten older? They don't even go in their rooms! Where do they go? Pretty much wherever I go. Right under my feet.
The 4 of us shared a room for 2 weeks as we were waiting for our house to be ready. I thought it would be the ultimate nightmare, but it was actually kind of nice. It brought me closer to my babies I feel like. To know they had that security that I would be right there when they woke up. I didn't get crazy., they still slept in their own beds. I noticed that they took naps fine in the same room. It was so sweet to hear them talk and laugh with each other before they fell asleep. They are 2 and 4 so they pretty much fight 90% of the day; I just want them to have that memory of closeness and fun!
Also, I am selfish and want to use the 3rd bedroom as a private place to have Bible studies, to do paperwork, school work, and for my husband and I to be able to escape. Also, maybe put a twin bed in there for company! They will have a play room downstairs. I don't want 2 little children taking up our entire house! My mom thinks I'm awful for doing this. What do you think?!
2. We have too many toys
Moving right along with the kid theme. I boxed everything except one bag of toys for about a month. They didn't even miss them! Honest. Most of the time they have a toy they like for 3-4 days and move on. I had 4 huge crates of toys. WHY. I love some of our toys...but are they really necessary?! NO! It's so hard to say no for me, especially when they are 'learning toys' but I will defiantly be more mindful in the future.
3. I have too much stuff
The house feels cleaner without the 'clutter'. Over the month we had just basic necessities with us. I had like 20 hangers of clothes that I rotated. Getting ready was so simple! I pretty much wear the same things anyway. Pulling all the clothes that were boxed up is overwhelming. I have nowhere for them! I know I don't need them all...but i can't bring myself to donate them or sell them! Ahhh.
I need to have a yardsale.
4. Some things are sentimental
Yes, I have too much stuff. However, some things are just sentimental. I'm usually one to toss things out so I have been surprised at my attachments! I've teared up several times pulling out something like a dress Norah has outgrown and thinking about all the memories we've had in it. I hold it close, think about it....and pass it along to my next friend with kids. I will not be a hoarder. I will not be a hoarder.
5. Always buy a house with stairs.
Literally go up and down stairs a million times a day now. My feet hurt, my legs hurt. Hurts so good. Sweet! A built in workout.! Yeah, it's inconvenient... but beauty is pain :) I would have lost 10 pounds with this move if I didn't eat out 3 meals a day while we are doing it.
5. I love dishwashers
In our past house our dishwasher was tearing up so I threw it by the road. The first few weeks I felt like I was wasting my precious time washing dishes by hand. Do you even know what else I need to be doing?! But, over time, it was kind of nice. It was time I had to wash dishes, listen to a sermon, stare out the window, and just relax. Relaxation is precious time that I know I would not have done. HOWWWEVEERRR, our new place has one. I'm just going to say, "Welcome back. I love you dishwasher".
6. I need all new decor
I spent years decorating my other place. When we moved in here suddenly I hate everything. Like everything. A new place calls for a new style. I have a vision of what I want...but I have a completely different style of stuff in my house! I just walk into each room and decorate it in my head with all the things from Ikea, Target, and Wayfair I want. I try to tell myself to settle down. To just enjoy being closer to town. The whole point was to move here, save money, and build a home.
7. One day at a time.
This pile in my basement is eating away at my brain. I can't think of anything else but to get it all unpacked and put away! Ekk clutter. I don't want to go anywhere, work, or invite people over until it's done. I also don't want to be burned out or overwhelmed. Worse yet....miss precious time with my babies! I want them to enjoy this place with me. I want to take the summer to spend time doing fun things. So, tonight I shut the basement door. One day at a time. I don't actually have to have it all put away today. It doesn't have to be perfect. We took a nice long walk today and I let Abram ride his new bike along. We walked to get my new license made. Yay for a better picture. Well, it was 90 degrees so it wasn't actually pretty (we only have one car and my husband had it at work). The walk took like 3 hours. Pretty much the whole day. At first I was stressing about getting back and getting things done, then I realized It was just nice to be out of the house and enjoying time not really working. When I got back, I put them down for a nap and took time to catch up on The Bachelorette :) Mindless tv at its best.
1. I want my children to share a room
When Abram was born I took time to set up his nursery. When I found out I was having a little girl next...I took even more time to set up a nursery! Chandelier, mirrored dressers, floral, purple. You get it. I wanted them each to have their special space. What I've noticed as they have gotten older? They don't even go in their rooms! Where do they go? Pretty much wherever I go. Right under my feet.
The 4 of us shared a room for 2 weeks as we were waiting for our house to be ready. I thought it would be the ultimate nightmare, but it was actually kind of nice. It brought me closer to my babies I feel like. To know they had that security that I would be right there when they woke up. I didn't get crazy., they still slept in their own beds. I noticed that they took naps fine in the same room. It was so sweet to hear them talk and laugh with each other before they fell asleep. They are 2 and 4 so they pretty much fight 90% of the day; I just want them to have that memory of closeness and fun!
Also, I am selfish and want to use the 3rd bedroom as a private place to have Bible studies, to do paperwork, school work, and for my husband and I to be able to escape. Also, maybe put a twin bed in there for company! They will have a play room downstairs. I don't want 2 little children taking up our entire house! My mom thinks I'm awful for doing this. What do you think?!
2. We have too many toys
Moving right along with the kid theme. I boxed everything except one bag of toys for about a month. They didn't even miss them! Honest. Most of the time they have a toy they like for 3-4 days and move on. I had 4 huge crates of toys. WHY. I love some of our toys...but are they really necessary?! NO! It's so hard to say no for me, especially when they are 'learning toys' but I will defiantly be more mindful in the future.
3. I have too much stuff
The house feels cleaner without the 'clutter'. Over the month we had just basic necessities with us. I had like 20 hangers of clothes that I rotated. Getting ready was so simple! I pretty much wear the same things anyway. Pulling all the clothes that were boxed up is overwhelming. I have nowhere for them! I know I don't need them all...but i can't bring myself to donate them or sell them! Ahhh.
I need to have a yardsale.
4. Some things are sentimental
Yes, I have too much stuff. However, some things are just sentimental. I'm usually one to toss things out so I have been surprised at my attachments! I've teared up several times pulling out something like a dress Norah has outgrown and thinking about all the memories we've had in it. I hold it close, think about it....and pass it along to my next friend with kids. I will not be a hoarder. I will not be a hoarder.
5. Always buy a house with stairs.
Literally go up and down stairs a million times a day now. My feet hurt, my legs hurt. Hurts so good. Sweet! A built in workout.! Yeah, it's inconvenient... but beauty is pain :) I would have lost 10 pounds with this move if I didn't eat out 3 meals a day while we are doing it.
5. I love dishwashers
In our past house our dishwasher was tearing up so I threw it by the road. The first few weeks I felt like I was wasting my precious time washing dishes by hand. Do you even know what else I need to be doing?! But, over time, it was kind of nice. It was time I had to wash dishes, listen to a sermon, stare out the window, and just relax. Relaxation is precious time that I know I would not have done. HOWWWEVEERRR, our new place has one. I'm just going to say, "Welcome back. I love you dishwasher".
6. I need all new decor
I spent years decorating my other place. When we moved in here suddenly I hate everything. Like everything. A new place calls for a new style. I have a vision of what I want...but I have a completely different style of stuff in my house! I just walk into each room and decorate it in my head with all the things from Ikea, Target, and Wayfair I want. I try to tell myself to settle down. To just enjoy being closer to town. The whole point was to move here, save money, and build a home.
7. One day at a time.
This pile in my basement is eating away at my brain. I can't think of anything else but to get it all unpacked and put away! Ekk clutter. I don't want to go anywhere, work, or invite people over until it's done. I also don't want to be burned out or overwhelmed. Worse yet....miss precious time with my babies! I want them to enjoy this place with me. I want to take the summer to spend time doing fun things. So, tonight I shut the basement door. One day at a time. I don't actually have to have it all put away today. It doesn't have to be perfect. We took a nice long walk today and I let Abram ride his new bike along. We walked to get my new license made. Yay for a better picture. Well, it was 90 degrees so it wasn't actually pretty (we only have one car and my husband had it at work). The walk took like 3 hours. Pretty much the whole day. At first I was stressing about getting back and getting things done, then I realized It was just nice to be out of the house and enjoying time not really working. When I got back, I put them down for a nap and took time to catch up on The Bachelorette :) Mindless tv at its best.
I'm going to get started on my yardsale pile now.