This is the worst part of moving

[lizbee]

We signed the lease this morning, so I guess we really are moving. Next weekend. So I've started the packing process, which is to say, I pulled out the box where papers and official letters and things accumulate, and started throwing out the rubbish. As usual, I can't bring myself to throw out a single old notebook or sketchpad (there's one that contains fic in fandoms from Harry Potter through to Doctor Who! It's like my own personal fannish archaeology!) I think I'm going to put them all neatly in an archive box and find a nice, safe, out of the way place for them.

This is a problem that comes up every time I move.



Judging by the hair and clothes, I drew that in 2007, when I was packing for the move to Melbourne. Who knows what else will turn up?

Comments

[renae.myopenid.com]

I moved three times in just over a year. I lost stuff (things like one shoe, my maglight torches, one glove etc) simply because I had far too much stuff in the first place. I held onto it all thinking I'd have room for it once I moved into my own house. Not the case - I ended up being ruthless getting rid of a lot of it. My advice; get rid of what you can before it eats you!

Good luck with the move :)

[lizbee]

You talk the common sense. I just always feel terrible for throwing things away, even things that are really of no value, not even to me.

[renae.myopenid.com]

It is hard. I never really managed it until moving here. Plus I still have loads of things other people would get rid of - I have a bookshelf devoted to stuffed toys! (and let's not even talk about all the clothes that will fit 'one day')

[geek_anachronism]

I can lend you my husband. You may then lose half of your wearable clothes, kitchen goods and art material, but you certainly end up with less stuff.

[lizbee]

That's very kind, but I'm still struggling to replace the clothes I left at my mother's house for "safekeeping".

[neadods]

I just always feel terrible for throwing things away, even things that are really of no value, not even to me.

That is the worst. I've been going through my house for two years now, with the goal of reducing everything by half or more, and I keep messing myself up. "This ink is perfectly good! So what if you haven't used in in 25 years!" or worse "But you were *really* into that 10 years ago! If you throw it away now, you were either wasting your time then or being dumb now because it's supposed to be important!"

Is there any variation on Freecycle where you live? Giving things you don't need away can be less wrenching than tossing 'em.

[lizbee]

Oh, that's a good idea! I've already packed a bag of clothes for charity, and another bag of clothes I'd rather give to my friends.

On the other hand, some of the things I have given away over the years, like my Star Trek and Anne McCaffrey books, I really wish I'd hung on to. So my new rule is: fannish artefacts are keepers.

[neadods]

So my new rule is: fannish artefacts are keepers.

Extremely wise choice. It's easy to get new clothes, but replacing OOP books is a pain!