Friday Five: Moving Edition

Mother Laura says:

We are right in the middle of a move--only twenty minutes away, but we're still a mix of busy, excited, nervous and surprisingly full of grief about what we're leaving, for me at least. So this week's Friday Five asks about your experience of the marvels and madness of moving...

1. How many times have you moved? When was the last time?
Both of my parents were active duty military. By the time I graduated college, I had attended 13 different schools. I'm trying to count, and I have lived in at least 19 different houses/apartments (I'm counting college as all one, despite different dorm rooms). Did I mention I'm 28? But I've lived in the same apartment building for almost 6 years now (moved from a 1-bedroom to a two bedroom on the other side of the building when we got married 3 1/2 years ago).

2. What do you love and hate about moving?
I honestly don't love or hate it-- it's just something I do. I'm not wild about packing, but I don't mind unpacking.

3. Do you do it yourself or hire movers?
When I was a kid there were movers, but my mom was pretty particular, so we packed most things ourselves. Since I've been out of the house (17), I've moved myself.

4. Advice for surviving and thriving during a move?
Know that everything won't go perfectly. Some things will get broken, some things will get lost. Go easy on yourself, but label the boxes.
AFTERTHOUGHT: Unpack one room first, so that you have a retreat during the time when the house is chaos.

5. Are you in the middle of any inner moves, if not outer ones?
I'm not sure. We're anticipating an outer move in the next couple of years (and I'm ready-- turns out, I really am a city girl!), but I feel like I'm settling into myself. It feels really go to be confident that that settled feeling is independant of physical moves.