In July, I will be moving into a new apartment. It’s my first move in seven years, the first time I’ll be living alone since losing a home in a hurricane, and my first solo state-to-state move. I’ve known this was coming for about a year and started preparing in January. This is a quick overview of how I’ve been preparing, because I’m not in a space to be reflective about it yet.

Shopping Ban

I made a decision early on that I was not going to buy anything new prior to arriving in my new home. Anything I bought would have to be moved, after all. I succeeded in the areas that were important: no new furniture, decor, gadgets, or cooking utensils. The items I did buy were replacements for consumables, necessary tools, or medical items, and I’m pretty happy with that.

This worked out, too: one of my housemates moved out early and left behind a number of things I had intended to purchase for my new home. A big score for me, a small win for the environment.

Decluttering

Starting in January, I did a multi-phase deep declutter of everything I owned. I wish I could say this was meticulously organized and that I went in with something akin to Marie Kondo’s “spark joy” philosophy.

I did neither.

I made a haphazard list of areas in my home, which was added to repeatedly as I remembered once-forgotten hoards. I asked myself questions like “do I really want to pack this up and move it” and “would I clean this if it had cat poop on it?” The latter question was the most useful, honestly.

Items in good condition were offered up to friends first, then given to various local charities. Large furniture has been tagged for pickup by a company, to save my sanity.

Upcoming

I’m now in the packing phase, writing this with about two weeks until moving day. My carefully planned schedule has already required adjustment. I’m exhausted, frustrated, and can’t wait for this to be over.

So I guess this is a check-in to say: I haven’t abandoned this blog. See you sometime in July.