Inspired by Packing Up…
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As most of you know, I’m moving next week. I can still barely believe we’re leaving Maine and New England, where I’ve lived almost my whole life. It isn’t that I haven’t moved before. There was suburban Massachusetts, Cape Cod, Boston, Portsmouth, New Hampshire and then Kennebunkport, Maine. But this is different, it’s a move to an unfamiliar place with real professional movers whose fee is based not only on distance, but also on how much the truck weighs.
Killing my darlings.
The process of sorting and packing isn’t unlike editing and revising. Things come to light that I’d completely forgotten. Holding certain items in my hands, I can’t believe I ever liked them. Other times, it’s like seeing a beloved friend and having a silent conversation about a certain period of my life.
Which items are worth their weight? Which aren’t? Which deserve a place in my “new” story?
Some pieces can be re-purposed, fit into a different space where they will shine. But not always. The losers end up in our yard sale. It’s always entertaining to see which objects catch the attention of strangers and find their way into a new story. Still others blow their second chance and go to the Goodwill store where there’s a larger audience. As for the true rejects, well, it’s a tragic ending.
Have you moved a lot during your life? Have you made big moves or small ones?
And because I can’t think of a better occasion to enjoy some Mr. Bean humor…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zavsd6etz_Q
I will try to get a post ready for next week, but I may not succeed. Either way I will put the Linky codes up next Wednesday. Hopefully we’ll have an internet connection soon after we move in on June 22.
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Rhiann Wynn-Nolet 
I’m right there with you! With the many moves, with the packing that inspires reruns of moments in my life, and the new stories to be written in other places. Loved this ~ “it’s like seeing a beloved friend and having a silent conversation about a certain period of my life.” It’s so true.
When I clean out personal catch-all drawers, I physically transform. A old headband goes in my hair, a forgotten gloss flavors my lips, and the scent of a memory from another decade clings to my skin, reminding me of who I used to be.
Best of luck to you, my dear! Sending for the inevitable road bumps, and prayers for safe travel for you, your family, and the things you bring to your new adventure. I’ll be one state down soon!
PS: I’m visiting dear friends tomorrow and Friday, and won’t have time for TC blogs–will rejoin w/TC next week. Promise.
And I loved this “A old headband goes in my hair, a forgotten gloss flavors my lips, and the scent of a memory from another decade clings to my skin, reminding me of who I used to be.” So evocative! Enjoy your visit with friends! We’ll have to compare notes on our Carolina experience 😉
I’ve moved house a few times but I’ve only actually lived in two places, the city where I currently live in south west England and Aberystwyth, a small coastal town on the Welsh coast where I was a student. The house where my husband and I live is the first one we’ve owned and is also, apart from the house I grew up in, the longest time I’ve lived in the same house. Best of luck for the move and for deciding just what stays and what goes.
I’ve actually been to Aberystwyth 🙂 and it’s a lovely town.
I love moving. I love change. It’s exciting. The start of a new adventure. I envy you right now. I’ve done a lot of moving in my life. Twice to Japan, once the Australia, and frequently around western Canada. It will be a while before I move again, but I’ll be looking forward to it when it happens. Good luck and have fun!
There are definitely elements of the move that I am eagerly anticipating – or maybe I should say elements of relocation. The moving itself is stressful and hard work, all complicated by kids and their various feelings about the situation. If it were just me and my hubs it would be more “fun” and less involved.
I grew up in one place and didn’t leave until I left for college (albeit a little early). But after that? I spent the next six years moving. I moved so many times in that six years that if I never move again, I’ll be very, very happy. My last move was particularly stressful – there’s nothing like moving house a week before your wedding to get your blood pressure up.
Something tells me, though, that my current home won’t be my last – I just can’t see myself taking care of such a big place as an old woman. But who knows? Stranger things have happened. Good luck with your move! 🙂
Oh, yes! When we moved from Boston to Portsmouth it was a week after our wedding – and also moving with my mom (who had been living on her own on Cape Cod). Thanks.
That would be just as stressful, I think – there’d be so much more to move! Our whole life was still in boxes when we left for our honeymoon and when we came back, we found that our house had been broken into while we were gone. Luckily, nothing was taken and if it was, we’ve never missed it. 🙂
Best of luck with the move! It’s always stressful and exhausting, isn’t it? I moved a dozen times before “settling down” with my partner, and got it all out of my system. 🙂 Now the thought of packing up this house – with the 2 kids and all the stuff that goes with them – makes my stomach queasy. We won’t move again until they’re off to college!
Where are you moving to? I hope you’ll still have a beach.
We’re moving to a town in No. Carolina about 25 min southeast of Raleigh, so no ocean – but a community center with 2 pools. The coast is a little under 2 hours away. I will miss the ocean, and someday (after college for kids is done) we hope to live near it again.
I feel for you. I love the newness of moving but despise packing. I always feel like I’m throwing away memories. But it can also be a wonderful time to purge and declutter!
Good luck, I hope all goes well for you and your family.
Yes, our garage is full of purge at the moment, lol.
Moving is one of the biggest changes in life, but it’s also exciting. I’ve moved a lot, but I always seem to like the new place better than the place I said goodbye to. I bet that will be true for you, too. I wish you all the best.
http://www.miaceleste.com/?p=376
Thanks, Mia!
I haven’t moved much in my life, but each time I did it was a huge thing. Best of luck with the move and hope everything goes smoothly.
Thanks 🙂
Good luck on your move! I can’t believe it’s already here. Pack enough to last you a week or two b/c movers are notoriously late. Nice analogy re: writing. I, myself, have a few Goodwills worth of extra verbiage tucked away for the one day they will be found to be worth millions.
Well, I hope you live to reap those millions 🙂 Supposedly the movers will be at our house 8am sharp on June 22. I sure hope they are!
Great analogy and very fitting. Moves are like editing your life. haha. I’ve moved SO many times. It never gets easier. I was JUST saying to my husband tonight that I can’t believe we’ve been in our current house for seven whole years. It’s the longest I’ve ever lived in the same house in my whole life. Moving is exciting though. New places, new beginnings. I’m sure it’s going to be awesome for you guys. Good luck!
Thanks! For a while I moved every 2 years, then every 5, but we’ve been in Maine for nearly eleven.
We did the big NE-GA move almost five years ago. Incredibly exhausting! We had pro movers and all I can say is, keep an eye on them. They hire day workers who aren’t necessarily trained or honest.
That said, I wish you much happiness in your new home. There are many new experiences, tastes, sounds, and sensations in the South. Really fresh ripe peaches. Sunshine most days. Tree frogs. Flowers, flowers, flowers. And birds.
We hired a local Portland (ME) company to move us, so I “think” they aren’t hiring any day labor but thanks for the heads up just in case. I will keep all those lovely Southern amenities in mind because right now I’m scared of spiders and snakes…and heat.
Great post Rhiann. Hope your move goes well. I haven’t had to move often. Last time was nearly 8 years ago when my husband and I moved about 500 yards away from the house we were living in. Slightly different area, HUGELY different house – so much nicer. It’ll be worth it in the end. 🙂
Thanks! That must have been kind of a weird move, only 500 yards…
Not so much actually it was just nice to have a change. Best of luck with your move.
Beautifully written, as always. May your move be as peaceful as possible, may your settling in to your new home be brilliant and inspiring.
Thank you for the happy thoughts and kind wishes 😀
A few weeks ago, I moved to a new place so I can relate! But it sounds like you’ve moved much further than I have. I hope you’re soon settled and comfy in your new home : )
Love the moving:revising analogy. I’ve been sedentary for the last 15 years or so. Now on 14 acres with large animals and loads of stuff, I can’t begin to imagine moving. Excited to have you be in the Carolinas, at least maybe you’ll join us at SCBWI in September?