It hit us, last week. Oh so appropriately. When we were a bit overdue for one of these posts. In the middle of all the inspections, appraisals and loan stuff… tackling something new that rears its ugly head every single day. There is no black and white in the land of moving. Instead, there’s a lot of red tape, and drudging process. It feels a bit like a good episode of American Gladiators. You can find me in my awkward stars and stripes spandex, probably sporting a mullet for good measure. I’m clearing a hurdle with a giant Q-tip, ready to knock some opponent named Hans off his perch, celebrating my victory. Only to realize there’s Mt. Everest still in front of us.
That escalated quickly.
And in the middle of all our plans, we realized it was time to start packing. Wheeeee! Granted, we had a little more time than the average home transition thing, and that’s worked out great since we had a lot to take care of when it comes to transplanting our family and business. But it really hit us… we’ve reached Mills Def Con level Snakes on a Plane. Boxes are coming out. Things are coming down. Closets and drawers and all things are purged. It is imminent and near.
We just may hyperventilate a little.
No, we haven’t actually started to pack yet. I just can’t bring myself to, until after the downsizing, great big moving, come and get it sale because that will make it easier. But we’ve begun the great dismantle. Sort of. It was easy with the little things. But now the big things are making it hard, emotionally.
The next level is Def Con level hide yo kids hide yo wife moving boxes apocalypse. That’s when you’ll find me a-la fetal position in the corner because I can no longer adult. I’m setting up the teepee, coloring inside and singing nursery rhymes. I know if you’ve moved your family before, you can totally relate. My mom had to remind me on the phone the other night that we basically haven’t moved since college. And that was just one town over.
We are such amateurs.
So I realized as we started taking down some of our things sold earlier, that I’m kind of attached. I think that’s normal, in a sentimental way. I had no trouble getting rid of the little things. I stayed on top of it pretty well the last couple of years, though admittedly, I did revert a little to the whole mad dash, stuff-all-the-things while our house was on the market for so long.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the past, when moving on. And with all the little things, it’s like processing a million tiny different decisions at once. It’s a lot like playing a massive game of memory. I find one piece in one room to one toy, while another piece was seen somewhere… I think… maybe… I quit.
And that’s when I realized {bringing it back around, no worries y’all} it’s important to hold your vision. Of what you want your home to be. We realize that right now, we’re downsizing. And while the process of starting over kind of makes us sad because we really do love this house, it’s also important to focus on things that inspire us. The things this new home can be. The future. It helps us part with the old.
Sometimes when I hit my purging slump, I start in on the organization of what’s left that we actually use. Because when you’re finished with the purging process and simplifying your life, it’s all about rewarding your family with new systems that actually work. And focusing on that helps inspire and light a fire under our bums.
Here’s a few of our very favorite projects ever from the past, that really helped us establish systems, and get it all under control.
1. Open shelving – not only is it pretty, but if pulled off well and done right, can change your way of using everything.
It held us accountable. Not everyone likes open shelving in the kitchen, but we enjoyed keeping everything on display, so that we didn’t just shove things into cabinets never to be seen again. Call us radical rule breakers. Stop the insanity.
It also helped the space feel larger.
It helped keep things in groups. We stayed super organized in high functioning areas like the homeschool room. We have so loved this space, when we finally decided to ditch the never-used dining room.
Our children could see what they needed. At a glance. {How to build the storage cubbies, here}
And they could finally appreciate what they had- even with the closets. You know. Those things you usually close up and leave behind doors. That you ignore. Even those were simplified. Which brings us to…
2. A family closet
If it doesn’t work for you, then it just doesn’t. But changing this over was a game changer for us, and the point is… you have something in your home that will work for you.
because it went from this… to this.
Which in turn, gave the kids more room in their own spaces. Which allowed even more simplicity and space in our home.
3. Pantry
It can be a tricky space. But it was worth taking the time to figure it out, in a realistic way that worked just for us and our own family.
Our pantry overhaul really helped us get everything under control. We never realized what a hub it was, until we finally had it all organized. It’s a game changer in the kitchen.
4. Don’t underestimate the little things.
Because it’s not always about the huge overhauls. Here’s a few of our faves:
Even within the open shelving, we didn’t just throw stuff in. Pre-assigned areas with labels,
and things that contained like baskets… {and the cubbies and containers in our pantry above} really helped contain it all.
The baskets helped each child keep up with their materials and subjects. Because homeschool can be utter chaos.
A mason jar planter box helped keep all the little writing materials under wraps.
Allowing a limited amount of sentimentals to follow us around… keeping it contained and limited by one space {and we still have to purge some before we move} from yearbooks to baby pictures. As well as displaying some of our casual favorites in fun ways with our instagram frame. Because the sentimental stuff can get out of control, if you let it.
And a few labels to help change your game:
This helped our little ones participate in the great big laundry conundrum that is life. And it helped us keep everything straight, too.
Check out our entire series of freebies {including our free planner to help keep it all under wraps} under freebies.
5. Allow yourself to have a junk drawer.
Or two. Because this may be the most important rule to remember: it’s not about perfection, and we should never confuse the two. It’s about giving yourself permission and space. A realistic approach to managing your home, and making it work and function, just for you.
Every house is different. What are some systems that have really helped your family and home functionality? We would love to hear your ideas, since we’re starting all over!
Have an inspired day!
Anna says
We were dealing with the same thing just a few months ago. I completely understand. You’ll get through it! And I love all your ideas. Will have to check out some of these
Sandy McClay says
I cannot believe you are leaving this beautiful home! I wish I could just bring it here where I live and move in….good luck and enjoy the new home!
Anxious to see what you do with it!
Monica says
I love your style and can’t wait to see you do a smaller place. I’m always looking for smarter ways to squish 5 people and a dog in a small space. Thanks for the inspiration!