This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Olay.
As you know, my husband is in the Navy and we have moved a lot. A LOT. And we’re moving again in January (not far, just to base, but still…), this move will be our 5th move in 4 years. And I’ve learned a few things about how to stay sane before a PCS or other military move. (For non-military folks, PCS means “Permanent Change of Station” which is ridiculously funny since there’s nothing permanent about it. It just means another move.)
- Before you have orders, allow yourself to look at the possibilities. If you might end up in Washington state or might end up in Jacksonville, Florida… feel free to check out real estate listings, craigslist, etc. It’s fun. It’s like a game. It’ll give you something to do to feel like you’re preparing when there’s really no way TO prepare. Just don’t get too worked up about whatever you find – don’t go signing rental contracts, buying houses, or applying for jobs yet.
- Another great way to pass the time while waiting is to declutter. That stack of magazines you’ve been meaning to read for the past year? Recycle! The coupons you clipped but haven’t used? Recycle! Clothes you haven’t worn since your last PCS? Donate!
- Keep living your life. Even if you know you’re moving soon, if you don’t have orders yet you’re not in the thick of it. Don’t let yourself be consumed by #1 and #2. Keep doing crafts, playing games, going for family walks, and baking special treats. Whatever you like doing, continue doing it.
- When packing up your house, label boxes by room. Instead of putting all of your books in the same boxes, if you have some you keep in the office, and others in the living room, keep them with the correct room’s stuff. It will make unpacking much easier.
- Keep everything organized. Every box should make sense. Don’t pack your fridge magnets with your throw pillows.
- BUT everyone has some stuff that doesn’t seem to fit in anywhere else. Allow yourself ONE “miscellaneous” box. JUST one.
- Set aside some things that you’ll need at the last minute before your move and that you’ll want first-thing when you get to your new home. This could include cleaning supplies, your favorite brand of toilet paper (don’t judge me for having a favorite!), bubble bath, a gripping novel to read, your guitar… or anything that makes you feel more comfortable.
- Don’t be afraid to outsource. If you’re doing a DITY move (or privately procured move) and you have a lot on your plate, don’t worry about cooking dinner – go out to eat. Or if you are moving quickly, hire someone to clean your house for the move-out inspection and instead go hang out with some friends you’ll miss. And if you’ll be driving cross-country, instead of driving in separate cars, spend a little bit of money to ship one of the cars so you can travel with your significant other, which makes the trip a lot more pleasant.
Hi! I'm Emily. I'm a Navy wife and stay at home mom of two beautiful children. I cook simple, delicious, grain-free recipes, do crafts, decorate my home on a budget, and keep a happy household. I tandem breastfeed, babywear, cloth diaper, practice elimination communication, homebirth, and co-sleep, but I'm not a hippie.
organizing is a key to success and other than that it making you stable.
I think it’s all in the state of the mind. If you program yourself that it is hassle free then you can do the organizing on a smooth way.
Changing situation (PCS) is always unpleasant. Leaving our life, habits and especially friends is pretty stressful. I think, though that trying to adjust our brains is always helping – after all this is one marvelous opportunity for better life.
I moved 2times this year, but not too far, but I wish I read this before moving because when I unpack all of my things it went out like a mess, so stressful! I hope we don’t move this year, but at least I know what to do. |
Before we move to our new house, I don’t which one to pack first and how to organize them. Until my son recommend me to look for it on the net. Well, it was not a very easy job, but I manage to place them in a box and labelled them well so the truckman would know which way to place them when we arrive at our new house on the other state.
Cool!
Thanks for the input. It would be more of a hassle to move with all of the pets but I don’t feel right about giving them up.
Thanks for the input. It would be more of a hassle to move with all of the pets but I don’t feel right about giving them up.
As you’ve describe your constant move, I feel so tired for you. Honest! it’s a very tiresome job, packing and unpacking. At least you learned something from it and that is being an organize of putting things off for another new house.
thanks for the post, i really enjoyed reading through your post.. and i think i’ll apply some of your tips (not all – complicated) thanks!
Well thanks a lot for this. We actually move every two years. Looks we both cant stay in one place for a long time
Hey! Thanks for the tips and advice, I moved 2times this year, but not too far, but I wish I read this before moving because when I unpack all of my things it went out like a mess, so stressful! I hope we don’t move this year, but at least I know what to do.
What did you do about pets? My husband is in civil service so if we relocated we couldn’t move on base. How do you find places to live that allow pets. We have 2 dogs and a cat. Any information would be great, thanks!
You pretty much have to call and see if anyone has places for rent that allows that many pets… base rules are usually 2 “walking” animals (cats/dogs). A LOT of places won’t rent if you have pets, or charge an extra fee, or have a pet deposit requirement.
But some do – you just have to look, search, ask. Some places are negotiable…
Or buy.
Thanks for the input. It would be more of a hassle to move with all of the pets but I don’t feel right about giving them up. I’ve got some research to do.
Thanks!
I am older than dirt not military but have moved dozens of times and your suggestions are great. As a rule I like to pack clothes and towels in garbage bags as the are easier to empty and get rid of. The one misc. box is a must.
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Pray! And get rid of as much “stuff” as possible beforehand.
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I moved last year after living in the same home for twenty-three years. One tip that worked well for me: I labeled each box on each side and on the top. That way it made it really easy to determine where the box went and what it contained.
Thanks for a great giveaway!
I had to pcs to Korea, and it was just overwhelming. I would make a list of things to do.
I remember our last move. The best thing we did was to throw out a lot of junk for weeks before the move – it made packing much easier, and we really knew what stuff we had.
I have moved once as an adult. I had a friend help me move. When I was packing, I started out so well, but my last few boxes I couldn’t figure out how to label so I labeled them as miscellaneous! So I laughed when I read that you shouldn’t have more than one miscellaneous box! But you are right that one should limit oneself to just one! I only had a one-bedroom apartment and had only been there for a year, but one can accumulate quite a bit in that time!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I don’t move much but I’d have to pack well and label everything
Blogged: http://insanityisforthelame.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-to-keep-from-going-crazy-before-pcs.html
I find that organization is key to sanity.
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I have learned to pack very early in the move, and pack tightly, so nothing gets broken
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Label boxes and number them as well. That way you know what to unpack first and what can be opened later.
My thought for staying sane during a PCS is look up on facebook and see if you have friends that are already in that area…and think about the fun stuff that you can do..(like get rid of more of the hubs stuff,…)