So, after those grueling weeks, we have finally sort of "restored" our calmness. I won't say it's completely restored; we have lots of adjustment to do but everything is working out just fine (hoping and praying). When the dust finally settled, I was in the midst of contemplation and somehow wished that I had these things (which I'm going to share with you) grasped before we moved out. Well here goes my list. Wish I had realized that:
To plan is one thing, to actually pack is another. My husband and I had already in mind what month we're going to move out of the apartment (we've lived there for 6 years). We had planned to start packing months before the moving out day. However for some reason, we were not able to actualize our well-thought plans. So when the last week of August rolled along, I was panicking!
It is never too early to pack your stuff. I am a self-confessed organized person. I love organizing stuff and I believe that everything should have a proper place to land on. So, I had started packing some of our things early on. But the "busyness of life" got in the way and I forgot that I still had lots of packing to do. After putting some stuff in plastic bins/crates, because I got busy with other "matters of life", I put off the "pack up" days.
More is less and less is more. I have often heard this saying. I have actually applied it to other areas of my life. But I didn't realize its relevance when it comes to acquiring stuff in our house until that week. At that time, I was like "I wish we only had less stuff." If we had less stuff, then we had more time to do other things than pack; if we have more stuff and less day for packing, that spells chaos. After what we had gone through, I told my husband, "When we finally have our own house, I want less but functional stuff." I'm glad he agrees with me. :)
Our daughter may be just a toddler but she should be informed too. Our little ladybug was just weeks away from turning 3 years old and I thought it wouldn't "harm" her if she's not aware that we're moving out of the apartment. Well, I was wrong. As young as she was, we realized that she should have been prepared and informed for the change that's about to happen. After all, she's part of the family, isn't she? What happened was, while her daddy was packing all our stuff, including her toys, she was watching and asking, "What you doing, Dad?' Of course her dad gave her a matter-of-fact answer and we were shocked at her response. "Daddy, no! Don't pack my stuff, please! I don't want to go. I want to stay here. I want to live here. This is house!" She was saying those words as she was sobbing so hard I stood still and felt like my heart was being crushed. In my mind I was like, "Oh no. We should have told her. We should have let her know about the change." As soon as those thoughts filled my mind, I lovingly hugged my daughter and said, "Baby, we are moving out of this apartment. We are going to stay at Mama's house. I'm so sorry we didn't tell you right away." It was all that I could say. I never thought that she would be affected; she's only a child, she wouldn't care. But the truth is, yes she's just a child and yes, she does care.
Now that we're starting to feel "at home" again in my mom's house, I'm considering of letting go of some stuff that we don't really need. After all, we're not going to stay here for long. I'm pretty sure that when the right time comes and the Lord wills, we'll be moving out again. I am praying and hoping that when that time comes, it will be to a place which we can call our very own.
How about you? Have you experienced moving in to a new place too? What were the things you realized when you moved out? I would love to hear from you. :)
If you ever move again now you know what to do diba? :) I only learned these things when after moving din :)
ReplyDeleteHaha! You are absolutely right, Rona! Thanks for the visit. :)
DeleteYes, I experienced it too. Nang mag plan kami ni Hubby na kumuha ng sariling bahay.. So lahat ng gamit namin from their house sa Manila dinala namin. And take note, 1 whole day lang yun.. Waahhh.. Super pagod kami to the max. Pero same with you I only learned these things nung nakalipat na kami. Haha
ReplyDeleteWe learn through experience, sabi nga nila. I hope others learn through us. :)
DeleteThanks for dropping by, Rackell! :)
I have moved from my parents' house to this house from my hubby's dad. I took my essentials with me, clothes, shoes some photo albums. But I still have many things there, like my college books. They won't fit here na. This is a reminder to trim my things na, if ever we would move to a place we'd call our very own.
ReplyDeleteHi, Cym!
DeleteGlad to know this post served it's purpose: to help/remind/support people. :)
When that time comes for both of us, we'll know what to do, right? :)
Thanks for the visit!
We forced to moved out last year because our house caught in fire. We need some renovations and since we move to a smaller apartment we have an issue of stocking things. My husband has wide range of book collection, toy collection and lot and lots of collectible things of my two sons. Since my husband is OC until now we have problem of were to put some of our things since our house was not done yet. It's really difficult moving out. Some of our things are broken because of hired help. Some of our rare DC comics collection were stolen too.
ReplyDeleteAww, Cheryl, I'm sorry to hear that. Hope you and your family will receive blessings more than what you lost.
DeleteGod bless you.
The packing and unpacking! Hope you settle soon so you can relax :)
ReplyDeleteI know, right? :) Thank you, dear!
DeleteOh, my heart broke upon reading your daughter's reactions. I don't really know how she feels because I don't remember moving as a toddler, but during my toddler years, we moved for around 4 times in just a span of 2-3 years. That was a hard time, but yes, I agree that packing should be taken seriously and that it's never too early to do it!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was really heart-breaking. Kids, no matter how young should never be taken for granted. Thank you for the visit, Maan! :)
DeleteSame here... I learned it the hard way. But after all the moving, transferring, bringing and packing, we became minimalist. Haha!
ReplyDeleteHaha! That's the goal! :) thank you for dropping by. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't experienced moving-out (ever) because my hubby moved in (my family house) after we got married and we've lived here since then. We did have the opportunity to move out after we got married but the house available was a bit smaller and we already have so many things.
ReplyDeleteWe just moved out of my parents hoem into our new home. It was very exhausting! It's been a monh and we haven't unpacked some our things!
ReplyDeletePacking for me is very exhausting.. 3 years ago we did the moving out thing, and yes, it's very tiring and pretty exhausting, to think that i have to go back and forth to the cargo company (we moved from Manila to Palawan)..
ReplyDeleteBut you know, it's better that you live in the province and with your mom. It's pretty expensive living in the metro plus the stress.. :)
Awww it must have been hard on your little toddler.. At least this was a lesson learned...
ReplyDeleteI hate moving but it's inevitable if you want to grow. Goodluck to your new home :-)
ReplyDeleteMoving from one place to another is truly exhausting. We've gone through it a lot of times when my husband had to move from one town to another for his work. Last year was the most challenging--when we moved three times in eight months' time. We haven't moved for almost a year now and I am extremely grateful!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I moved to our current house a few months ago, and what I really hated was unpacking because you need to figure out where things will go in the new house! The best part is finally settling in, I'm glad that my son didn't have a hard time adjusting.
ReplyDeleteWe moved in to our home 2 years ago and we are now starting to fill we are really settled . So don't worry unbox it one box at a time.
ReplyDelete