moving on

[Judith LeBLanc]

I'm packing up stuff in preparation for a move from my house to an apartment. My husband died 2 years ago and this house holds way way too many sad memories to stay any longer. But this packing, tossing, and musing over stuff is very painful, I know once I get rolling I can get through it all but right now I seem overwhelmed. I guess I just need some hand patting and to hear from any of you who've been down this road. thanks

[SeaRain]

Noble, that must be hard. I've moved a couple times, my daughter had a hard time with it but I didn't.

You might need to set aside a certain amount of time to pack. Say 10 minutes, then have some tea. Then 15 minutes, then go outside. You will find you can get a lot done in a small amount of time. I do things that way when my procrastination kicks in. Then I find I can get a lot done.

Anyway you can pack up stuff you want to keep but don't have room for in a box and date it; next year go through it again. Maybe you want some of the things and maybe you don't.

And see if a friend can come sit with you. It helps, even if they don't do anything but just sit there.

Good luck sweetie.

[Judith LeBLanc]

o thanks, good doable advice. just talked to my youngest son and his advice was to turn off my brain. yours makes much sense! judith

[WS]

It's hard to turn off one's brain.especially for those of us that need tangible things to remember people by. I have things from my father, grandfathers and grandmothers that help me remember them, but of course I also have memories attached to a lot of the other stuff in the house - so it is hard for me to part with things. I am not moving, but I need to do the same thing - winnow and trim down my possessions!

[Judith LeBLanc]

well thank you all so much for these kind understanding comments. I've moved through a lot these last 2 years, my kids are doing well, my job is secure (more or less) I'm healthy and have met a man I'd like to have in of my life (met him on the old tbd!) So now I just need to keep packing and tossing. :) judith

[belle054]

Noble...I did this also 3 yrs ago. My ex and I sold the house we raised our kids in and I bought a condo (I love it!). I've been divorced for 8 yrs but stayed in the house til my youngest was out of high school. We had a basement that still had boxes of old toys, etc.. from the 20 yrs we lived there. The house sold quickly and I didn't have much time to pour over memories....we were packing, moving things out, and trying to clean it up without much time to do so. I took 2 days to move into my new place and the ex was there moving stuff also.....my family and sons were all there helping me and it was pretty hectic and crazy. We had a junk man come and take away lots of stuff. I never shed a tear or felt sad. The next day, we met there again (the ex and I) to make sure everything was out and the house was presentable. I was standing outside just off the driveway and I stepped on something. Looking down, I noticed it was one of those magnetic alphabet letters all our children played with when they were little. I picked it up and burst into tears. That was the first time I realized the weight of the process of closing one chapter and moving to another in my own life as a person totally on my own. I moved through it ok but I do understand your sadness. It's something you need to go through and will get better....I promise. xo

[Suuse]

Good tunes help. For me--and you might want to put down the coffee and tea cups just in case: DISCO.

I've had four major moves in 4 years and I'm staring at another one. The anxiety attacks are daily and I refuse to let that stop me. Vitamins, lots of healthy food, and good tunes and the day flies by and things do get done.

Then a shower. Then out to dinner--even if it's just Applebee's. My to-do list, or maybe the paper.

And pop in here once or twice a day and let us know how you're doing, okay?

Thinking good thoughts at you....s