Sunday, May 26, 2013

How to Survive Packing (Especially When You're an Introvert)









Are you good at labeling and organizing all of your things when packing up? Is moving easy for you?

No? Oh, good. We’re in the same boat, then.

I’m awful at packing … especially the organizational part of it. It’s the little things that do my head in – like all the stuff that goes in the junk drawer. What to do with it all? My eyes glaze over and I enter a near-comatose state until tears threaten. 

After moving 12 times in the last 11 years, you’d think I’d be used to packing-up, but I’m not. The only thing I’d like to do when moving is go in my room, lock the door, crawl in bed, and throw the covers over my head in hopes of willing it all away … or wishing to be magically transported to my new location with everything set-up and unpacked, ready to go.

Instead, I often feel overwhelmed. Moving always means more of stuff: more mess; more messy emotions; more people; more stress; more boxes; more chaos. I prefer the simple, quiet, non-intrusive life.  A move rips all of that out from your grips and tosses it around the house, into your yard, your garage, your head … not caring where any of it lands. There’s not much of a choice left then: You have to deal with the mess, even when you’re feeling like a big, bundle of mess.

So what to do? How to cope with the chaos and more-ness of a move? And what if you’re an introvert? Oh, and what if you’re an introvert and a HSP (highly sensitive person)? 

Well, to start, you have to hold on tight, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and hope the whole thing will be over quickly. While the moving stress builds, there are some things you can do that will help a bit. Especially when packing up. 

 Before the move

Get a moving company to pack your stuff up for you. No, this doesn’t make it stress-free. You still have to organize all your stuff, put it in piles (air shipment, give away, throw away, container shipment), and oversee their packing; but it will allow you to have less sore muscles and you’ll get time for tea. (I also realize that this isn't a realistic option for many people.)

Fill out a checklist/inventory of your belongings before the movers come. It’s boring to fill out, but super important. Do so with care and if the checklist provided by the moving company isn’t adequate, just walk around the house with a notepad + write down what you have. Type it up. If you’re insuring your belongings, it will be a requirement to complete the form. 

List any individual items worth over $500 (high value items). Take pics of those items on your phone. (And don’t delete them until your belongings have safely arrived at your new destination.) Some people get really into this part and take pictures of everything and really write a detailed list. If you can handle that, do it!

The night before packing

Have a nice meal. Make it easy, simple. Go out if you want. My husband makes a mean Shepherd’s Pie and he took the time to do that the night before the packers came. It was a very kind gesture, especially considering we’re getting a divorce. His response was, “I figured we could all use a bit of comfort food tonight.” He was right. He even did all the dishes after.

Get a good night’s sleep. Take a sleeping pill if you must. (I wish I did this.)

Plan a few days to pack things into boxes before the removal people show up.

Feed the movers + be very polite to them. At least give them drinks and make sure they take a lunch break. Remember: they’re handling your possessions, so don’t piss them off. 

Wake up early. Give yourself time to lean into the morning without too much stress or running around.  Take a leisurely breakfast if you can. If this doesn’t work…

Drink coffee or tea (slowly) before the movers show up. Take care of yourself and do what you need to mentally prepare for the chaos. 
 

If you’re a HSP and/or an introvert 

You’ll want to take extra care. It can be helpful to reduce the number of strangers in the house and especially the number of children. My extra-loving-advice for youHSP/innies:

Reduce the number of people in the house while packing/moving, or at least limit it to the best of your ability. At the same time, I strongly recommend - if you can afford it - to get packers in because though it's not an easy fix and it is still overwhelming to have to make sure strangers are packing your things correctly, it can afford you little breaks where you can get away for a few minutes.

Have quiet time in the morning before everything is lashed upon you. The sounds of packing, the smells, the sight of your belongings all over, the mess, and the people will all be enough for you to go on sensory overload. 


Ask a friend/partner/family member to help you out. They can help manage the movers and you can have sneaky quiet time in the restroom, a bedroom, or wherever to give you those moments of being able to regroup.

I once had a lovely experience where my friend brought over take away from a nice Italian restaurant. She had plastic wine glasses and after the movers left, we sat on the floor and had a picnic of yummy food and wine. I was so grateful to her. 

Call friends when the movers are packing things. It's a strange time to sit in the house as it goes echo-y. You may not want a lot of people physically around, but it can be helpful to reach out and talk to someone about how you're feeling.  

What are things that help you? I'd love to hear your tricks and tips!


11 comments:

  1. Stumbled across your blog - have really enjoyed reading about your time in Myanmar - wish you luck for the future and with your ebook

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kailash Tour
    Ekailash Tour specializes in small group tours and tailor-made trip to Mount Kailash, central Tibet, Guge Kingdom and Everest base camp. An expert’ team, based in Nepal, is passionate and extremely knowledgeable about the region having lived or traveled widely there. Our flexible and innovative Kailash tour itineraries are now even better value and take you beyond the tourist sites for a real experience of a lifetime!
    For more information please visit our website
    http://www.ekailashtour.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Shiva Excursion Pvt. Ltd. is Dynamically Design by choice of Customer Activities in Nepal. Local Base License holder Trekking Company & 15 Years Experiences Trekking tour Seller with more Adventure Activities Operated Trekking agency in Nepal.The top ten High Light full Board Package Activities As Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, Annapurna round trek, Nar Phu Valley Trek, Upper Mustang trek, Manaslu circuit trek, Manaslu tsum valley trek, Ganesh himal Trek, Ruby Valley trek, Langtang valley trek, Langtang tamang Heritage trail, goshainkunda Lake pass, Helambu circuit trek, Everest base Camp Trek most challenging high passes as Everest Chola & Renjola Pass, Everest Three high pass, Ganjala Pass trek. Other Wilderness less touristic area as Kanchenjunga Trek, Makalu Base Camp trek & most high Light Adventure Peak Climbing in Nepal as Island Peak Climbing, Mera Peak Climbing & Loboje Peak Climbing. The rare with wildlife activities tour in Nepal, Kathmandu to Chitwan jungle seafaring & more touring programs Manage by Shiva Excursion Pvt. Ltd.
    Best Regard by
    trekking in nepal

    ReplyDelete
  4. It is nice to see an article dedicated to this important topic. Thank you for sharing.
    Cambodia Tour Operator

    ReplyDelete
  5. The high 5 Adventures is Expedition Company in Nepal. So Mr Narbin Magar has been selected for the All Trekking peaks and Expedition leading since 2005 to till Local Base Expedition Agency in Nepal. Most of the Challenging Trekking Agency which is popular peak Climbing, Trekking in Nepal and Expedition in Nepal, the High 5 Adventures Company all Staff are has been trained Mountaineering and enough Strong Local guide and Climbing Sherpa’s. Everest Expedition Company is one of the most challenging and high light Trekking routes in Nepal. Everest base camp, Langtang Trekking, manaslu trekking, Annapurna base camp, Annapurna Circuit, Dhaulagiri round and many others Trekking routes in Nepal. The part of the Peak climbing and Expedition is more attractive and Adventures Expedition in Nepal.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Are You looking for Trekking in Nepal? If you haven't, then you're

    seriously missing out! Not solely is it a fine looking journey, however it additionally Journey Nepal Adventure

    Leaking. The land of the Himalayas, Nepal presents wonders that area unit breath-taking. From the chain of

    mountains landscapes to the wealthy cultural attribute, trekking in
    Nepal
    is really a wonderful deed. Visit lovely ethnic chain of mountains settlements and villages. visit

    destinations at beautiful watercourse valleys harbouring distinctive terrains. Walk on winding trails passing

    through heavenly alpine forests and inexperienced pastures. Trekking in the Himalayas may be a marvel that's

    undeniably awe-inspiring! Best Trekking in AgencyNepal holidays

    square measure fearless leisure pursuits for people that need some ‘real fun’ in their hard-earned break. Trekking

    and hiking, a journey on foot to mountainous areas are analogous to hiking, except treks cowl a bigger distance.

    The Kingdom of Nepal offers a spread of each technical and nontechnical walks across its fantastically numerous

    tract. because of its growing quality among hikers and trekkers, the Kingdom of Nepal at this time is witnessing a

    boom within the business enterprise trade for trekking and hiking. The Journey Nepal Adventure is SmallBusiness

    Trekking Agency in Nepal, which is Self Guide and Tour Operator has Been setting Local Running Trekking Company in Nepal. All Professional and Mountaineering Staff and

    well Training Base Himalayan kingdom of Nepal.Are You Looking For

    Best Trekking Agency in Nepal
    Journey Nepal Adventure Pvt. Ltd. is government register agency (licensed
    Mountain Guide team) in the Nepalese Himalayas Ranges… After working 10 years (since 2008) on the tough trails for

    several years as a mountain staff crew, and working so hard to develop our fluency in English languages, We became

    a guide in the year 2008 to 2016. We have spent the past 10years as a professional Himalaya trekking guide, working
    for several Popular Trekking Company in Nepal; we

    have now decided to work as an independent guide and self-leading to provide all our national and international

    clients, who like to enjoy their Himalaya trekking holidays tour with us (http://www.journeynepaladv.com)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great read. Thanks for sharing!




    www.luxxpress.com
    las vegas to los angeles bus

    ReplyDelete
  8. 14 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek high light trekking route in Manaslu Trekking Packages, and magical

    beaten track of hidden Valley Manaslu Larke La Pass 5150m. After Annapurna Circuit Trekking Most of Trekkers are thinking about the round Manaslu Trekking. The Manaslu Circuit Trek is

    restricted area of Special Trekking Path in Nepal and day by day Trekkers Demand increased and also develops lodge accommodation and foods. There is some option if some of trekkers

    has more holidays and want to see nicer Himalayan tropical villages Monastery and Trans Himalayan people they can select Manslu Tsum Valley Trek. That can make both destination

    combined Tsum Valley and Manaslu Base Cam with Lark La Pass. The Manaslu Trekking is little more expensive than others Trekking Routes, Because those trekkers who are interest to go

    Round Manslu Larke la pass or Manaslu Tsum Valley they have to buy four type of Trekking Permits as Manaslu conservation area of Project (MCAP), Manaslu Restricted Permit, Tsum Valley

    Restricted Permit and Annapurna Conservation Area of Project (ACAP).
    14 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek Start from Kathmandu to Arughat to Sotikhola by Public bus or Jeep

    and Trek to Machhakhola, Jagat, Filim, Deng, Namrung, Lho, Sama Gaun, Samdo, Larke La Pass, Bhimtang, Gho, Tilje, Dharapani and Drive to Besi sahar to Kathmandu. During this trip can

    get amazing Himalayan flavor with outstanding white Himalayan scenery which of eight top high peak Manaslu Expedition and Ganesh Himal, Singi Himal, Annapurna II, Annapurna IIII,

    gangapurna, Lamjung and Many Others Trekking Peaks. Everest Trekking Routes Selling 14 Days Manaslu Circuit Trek full board

    Packages Kathmandu to Kathmandu. If anyone interest can contact us directly thank you.
    Email: info@everesttrekkingroutes.com
    www.everesttrekkingroutes.com

    ReplyDelete

Messages that are negative or mean or hurtful or political will be deleted; so play nice. This is meant to be a happy place. :-)