Happy & Healthy

HOW DO YOU SURVIVE THE HELL CALLED MOVING?

by Marion Pauw

Every time I move, I promise myself I will never do it again. And yet, I keep changing homes. Again this time. I never thought I would have to leave my lovely ground-floor apartment with a great garden, three bedrooms, and a garden office in Amsterdam-Zuid, but that has happened. Now that my children have left the house (if you start early enough, that happens at a young age, yes), I wanted to live smaller, with lower monthly costs, without a nagging homeowners association, and in the center or in West. Moreover, I wanted to move in with my fiancé and I firmly believe that it works better in a new house than when one moves in with the other. So, off we went, and the misery began again. And the worst part was that I had to throw away more than half of my belongings. Can you imagine the horror?

The good news is that I have become very skilled at packing and unpacking, and I would like to share my experiences with you. Here comes the step-by-step plan of a moving addict:

‘Everything must go.’

Step 1: What are you taking with you?

First, select the items you want to take with you. The Marie Kondo method comes in handy here. Only take the items that truly make you very happy. Items you really can't live without. And items that are irreplaceable, such as art, an antique cabinet, or that very nice leather jacket you've had for ten years. I cleared out one room and designated it as a ‘storage room’. Here I collected everything I really didn't want to miss. I had these items brought to my new house by a professional mover.

Step 2: What still has value?

There is still quite a bit of money to be made from second-hand items. You just have to let go of the idea that you will ever get the actual value for something, unless it concerns used items like washing machines, Apple computers, or trendy brand items like a Sissy-Boy hanging chair (there was a real rush for it and the thing was quite worn out). I couldn't get rid of my 7-year-old Auping bed on the street, nor my dining table and chairs. They eventually went for giveaway prices. Small items and clothing sell best at flea markets, like the IJ-Hallen or the Beverwijk Bazaar. On Marktplaats, you get nothing for them anymore.

And once again, I have promised myself to never collect so many items again and certainly never to move again.

Step 3: Everything must go party

And now comes the fun part. On the very last day I still had my house, I organized a party for my friends and acquaintances. The concept was very simple: ‘everything must go.’ My friends were tasked with taking everything, and I mean everything, out of the house or throwing it away. At first, everyone was a bit hesitant, but after a glass or three of wine, I saw the DVDs, vases, deep fryer, and cushions disappearing into various bike crates. At eight o'clock, I handed everyone a garbage bag and we went for it. Everything that was still in the house was on the street within an hour and a half (and that was quite a lot). Do keep in mind that significantly fewer friends show up than at a regular party, hahaha.

I am now in my new house and I am almost done unpacking my belongings. And once again, I have promised myself to never collect so many items again and certainly never to move again. Curious how long I can keep that up this time!