This has been a big week moving wise. It got serious this week. I found the perfect realtor. I got my first to do list from said realtor. I scheduled my city inspection to be able to sell the house. I ordered and hired someone to replace my garage door and opener. I got rid of a twin bed, a dresser, an ottoman, plywood, a table saw and a curb full of stuff. I have sold much but am now giving stuff away, donating or throwing away.
Moving is the most stressful time in one's life according to surveys I have read. One of the things that really is exhausting is having to lay your hands on every darn thing you own! How did I collect so much stuff (and I am not a pack rat)? I moved in 2008 and downsized a lot at that time but I still managed to collect so much stuff.
How did I collect 7 suitcases? I use 2. How many wooden spoons does one woman need? Did I really use parts of 32 gallons of different colors of paint.....and I never did paint my hallway or back stairwell? When I found myself debating over which bookmarks (not books.....bookmarks) to keep I knew I had gone way down the moving rabbit hole.
There is the issue of decision fatigue. After sorting for several hours I go into one of two modes: 1) throw it ALL away or 2) I am incapable of making a decision. I have made a few mistakes of throwing an item away that I literally needed two days later. The trick is to stop for awhile after several hours and quit making decisions.
It is stressful to look at my house thru a buyer's eyes. I see every tiny thing that is wrong. It's like the stress of having guests over but times 100! I of course now think I will fix everything at the condo so when we want to move someday we won't have to do anything. I think I remember telling myself this lie when I moved into my present house, but I am going with the lie again!
The sheer physical exertion of moving is constant. I had help from my kids for some of the lifting. There are still so many boxes, bags and piles that have to be moved by me. I have loaded my car so many times to take things to donate or take things to the condo. Lifting...so much lifting. Stairs.....so many stairs.
Someone asked me the other day how I "felt" about moving. I have loved living in my Fairholme house. It was the first house I bought by myself. I got to fix it up my way. It is full of "my favorite colors". I got to hire work done and see progress in a timely manner. (Some of you will totally understand that last statement). I loved hosting the whole family for Christmas. I love all the natural light the house has. I have enjoyed the wonderful front porch. I adore my clawfoot tub and long winter soaks in it. I have enjoyed many a roaring fire in the fireplace.
I will not miss the bills. With my drop in income I truly can not stay in this house. I will not miss the large yard, mowing that lawn, fertilizing that lawn, edging that lawn, weeding flower beds or shoveling snow. I will not miss the laundry being in the basement (2 flights of stairs from where the clothes start out). I will not miss Grosse Pointe, truthfully I do most of my shopping and errands outside of Grosse Pointe.
This move came sooner than I had planned due to covid 19, changes in my job and deciding to retire. It has taken me a minute to catch up. emotionally. I look forward to fixing up the condo a bit and making it a home for both of us. I am excited about my relationship with my gentleman....at our ages....knowing what we know now with age. I call it my "big girl" relationship. I get to be me. He gets to be himself. We don't always agree but we work it out.
So moving is a bundle of emotions. Some sad, some glad and on most days a mixture of both. I am eager to have the move finished and the house sold so I can truly embrace the next chapter!
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