Moving. Sucks.
May 27th, 2008 . by mattI mean, of course it’s great. The concept of moving is amazing: being in a new place, seeing new things, starting new jobs. The actual doing it does not. Moving has never ever been fun, no matter what situation I’m in. A year and some change ago, I moved right around the corner. Some of my stuff I simply walked to my new apartment. But it still sucked.
Moving to another city is much, much harder, of course. And as much as I’ve tried to control my pack-rat tendencies, there is still a lot of stuff that accumulates. Giant trash bags are the new Black, in our house.
And the other question is how to get rid of things that are worth money but not worth anything to us. And to do it as easily as possible. There is a company in town that does all the ebay.com work for you: takes photos, sends things, etc., but they charge a commission of 40% and that’s… a lot of cash.
I find myself up to my old tricks: doing anything I can to not think about actually packing a box. Taking on jobs I shouldn’t. Going to see shows I don’t really have time to see. But it’ll get done, at some point. Right?
Right?
Why don’t you have an in-house sale? Put prices on the things you want to sell and let people come over and look around on Saturday from noon to five, or whatever. I bet you’d sell a few things that way. Advertise on craigslist and make a few flyers (be sure to list the specific items you’re selling). Maybe?
40%? Damn. Maybe I should open an e-bay business.
As far as packing goes: at least get boxes, newspapers, packing bubbles (for stress-relieving purposes), masking tape, labels, and a sharpie. That way you can get started on packing without actually starting packing and thus feel somewhat accomplished
second lindsay jean’s idea! put some things out on ebay, listservs, craiglist, and have an in-house/yard sale!
and you’ll be surprised at how much you can get done with a very real deadline approaching. once you get into packing mode it’s not so bad. procrastination is part of the process.
Yeah, I like Craigslist for stuff I’d rather just sell locally. That’s also a good option when you get where you’re going, especially if you want cheap bookcases, lamps, coffeetables…
I feel you on the short-distance move woes. I moved across the street last year and it was actually harder than moving from NC to Iowa, because it felt like it *should* be so much easier.
I’m still not moved into my new place in Pittsburgh, and packing in Charleston was no fun at all. Although, I did have cabaret kiki to cheer up an otherwise not-so-fun weekend of packing, so that made it all ok
Good luck!
Speaking of coffeetables
I need one! I just moved from NC…and moving again tomorrow to another downtown house…I need something to put my laptop on and drink tea and coffee on…
any coffee tables for sale, Matt?!
But I totally agree, moving sucks!!!
Have fun livin’ in the windy city.
moving does suck. i moved my office and house in march and i still have boxes to unpack. i feel for you… miss you matty.
i hear ya, brother. i myself packed 11 years of my pack-rat shiz into an 8′x8′x16′ POD. it took 2 weeks. and 2 weeks THINKING about it. i, too, avoided packing. really, it was denial. so i started sorting through 2-3 boxes a day. then it evolved into NOT going through crap since it was taking too long, so i would just load like 10 boxes a day. then finally the last 2 days i just threw whatever would fit in a trash bag or box and loading it in the POD with my awesomely sweaty friends & fam. but along the way going through some amazing momentos (a lot happened to be jump stuff) and memories. only thing is, may 31st was my last day at my old place but i’m in transition still to my new place! so i’m crashing a lot at my sis’ apt. or friend’s house. gotta love it.