lessons learned {moving}

after this week I will have moved 11 times since 2007. it's amazing what I've learned (and haven't learned) about packing & moving in all of these moves. there's a lot of stress that comes with moving, as well as excitement. the stress comes in different ways for each person. for me, it is because I'm type A & self-diagnosed slightly OCD. I have a system, and when moving with other people who think your system could be more efficient **cough, Michael, cough** it can cause issues & breakdown communication. all joking aside, it has been such a blessing for Michael to help me move. I will concede that he was right on a few things **just a few** & it is so fun moving into the place we will share once we are married! it also makes me really excited to be in the same place for more than a year. maybe that's not the place we will live in when we first get married, but I am so ready for that day to be here soon! here are my best tips for preparing to make a cross-country or cross-town move:

DO
1. pack pillows/scarves/something light on top of a layer of books, so the box doesn't become way too heavy
2. get rid of things you never use/wear/haven't seen since the last time you moved
3. use styrofoam plates between your breakable plates when packing
4. set small goals for yourself in packing different areas of your room/dorm/house/apartment
5. accept help from others & get rid of the "I can do this by myself" attitude
6. use boxes even if you are only moving across town
7. change your address with the post office
8. change your billing address with your bank & credit card company

DON'T
1. be stubborn in accepting help **yes, I have trouble with this**
2. allow yourself to be ADD when packing... focus on your goal
3. justify moving things again only to have them sit in the same box for another year
4. throw away the packing paper you just bought because you might need it again next year when you move... again **hoping I remember this one this time**

here's to selfless fiancés, new packing paper, & arm muscles! Happy Tuesday, peoples!