Suddenly you have moved

Nothing is actually as strange as moving. One moment you close a door to open a new one. And you never see that old door again.

That sounds beautifully symbolic, but not everything is fun about it. Moving is just hell in itself. Packing, tidying up, hauling, living among boxes for weeks, having to camp half the time, not having internet, not having television, that idea. Everyone knows it. But especially leaving that old house behind I find quite a thing. A stupid thing. As if I'm betraying those bricks a little. Am I the only one?

Look, it just depends on why you are moving. If you are no longer happy with your house and you finally have a new place, then you can't wait to leave. We are moving for the sole reason that it was too small for our two little ones, who will be here in a few weeks if everything goes according to plan. But my little street, the neighborhood, the atmosphere, the kitchen, the garden... We weren't tired of that at all. I'm going to miss all of that. But maybe I'm also a lovely emotional wreck for it, nowadays: it's the umpteenth change in a short time. Getting used to the fact that my favorite coffee shop is no longer across the street.

The strange thing is that you suddenly live somewhere else, but it doesn't feel like ‘home’ right away. That takes some time.

That's why some tips:

• Invite a lot of people over, as soon as possible. With dear friends and family around you, a house feels a lot more familiar.
• Invest in a really good bed with eight toppings, double box springs, and electric options to sit up: that saves you half of all your troubles.
• Put a scented candle in your toilet, lay your favorite magazine on your new side table, and play your own music. Make it more your own, nice and cozy.
• Spend a bit more time than usual at home. You need to get used to all that newness, and that doesn't happen if you only meet outside.
• Explore your neighborhood: go for a walk or bike ride when you're free. That way you know better where exactly you live. It feels familiar quickly when you take out the trash.
• Chat a bit with your neighbors: it can never hurt. If necessary, drop a note in the mailbox that you are new to the neighborhood. You might need them someday. Even if it's just for accepting packages...