Coffee Break #31
Happy May, friends! I have to apologize for my slight delay in this month’s Coffee Break catch-up. The tidal wave of moving tasks has officially crashed ashore, and time literally seems to be slipping through my fingers. But I love writing these casual catch-ups as much as you guys love reading them, so I wanted to be sure to squeeze it in before getting back to the usual home and craft tutorials. So grab your favorite beverage and snack…and let me fill you in on the main thing going on in our lives behind-the-blog: our upcoming move!
Catch up on past Coffee Break posts HERE!
How I Really Feel About Moving So Much
Most of the time here on the blog, I have a pretty chipper attitude about moving. I share lots of tips, tricks, and anecdotes for making everything “go smoothly,” and I might even give off an impression that picking up our entire livelihoods and moving them from one spot to another is no big deal.
But I’ll be honest with you: most of those happy, helpful posts are written in the “calm middle.” The period of time between moves. The months and years that I’m not living and breathing moving logistics. It’s actually a lot like childbirth! I can usually look back on a move (or forward to our next one) with really positive feelings. But when I’m in the middle of it? I remember how truly awful and stressful it is and how I never ever ever want to do it again.
That’s me right now.
We are currently neck deep in tasks getting ready for our 9th move. And guys, I hate it. No amount of moving box labels makes it easy to see all our belongings pulled out of every closet and drawer. No spreadsheet ensures I don’t forget the school records or prescription pickups or some other important thing. And no amount of color-coded checklists help me feel completely, totally in control. All these things certainly help and do make a difference, but they just can’t eliminate the total feelings of overwhelm that come with a big move.
I will freely admit our moving tasks are compounded by everything I do and show here on the blog. When you move into a new home, it’s so fun and exciting to do alllllll the things, isn’t it?!? You’re excited and energized to paint the walls and hang the curtains and make that house feel like your home. Heck, I’ve built an entire business on the value and importance of that concept. But guess when all those things aren’t so fun and thrilling…and in fact, seem like such a horrible idea? When it’s time to take it all down. Whomp.
You better bet that I look at every project I’ve done in this house and think, “Really, Megan? You had to take down that light fixture? And you had to paint the laundry room? And you had to put that many holes in the wall?” Yes – pulling our homes apart is both physically and emotionally draining. Decorating a home does indeed make more work when you have to un-do it all (compared to if you had nothing at all), and I do find myself cursing my own creativity during a move out.
But then I remind myself that we don’t spend all our time moving. These few months of chaos and exhaustion are not our norm. What is our norm is the “calm middle,” when the curtains and paint and wallpaper are truly 100% worth it. Because they help me feel settled, inspired, comforted, and at home…no matter where we are or for how long.
Yes…taking our homes apart is indeed awful on so many levels. And I hate myself every time for all the extra work I create for Greg and I. But you better bet, I’m going to turn around and do it all again.
When I “Stop” Decorating a House Before a Move
I couldn’t help but chuckle at one of the “Ask Megan” question I received a few months back: “Megan, when do you stop decorating your current house, knowing a move is coming up?”
I feel like this is another one Greg should give you the skinny on, but I’ll tackle it this time! Almost every single time, I am doing things right up the very, very end. I know, I know. I’m ridiculous. Greg jokes that I am literally hanging the last piece of art on the wall as the moving trucks are pulling in the driveway; and that’s pretty accurate.
In North Carolina, I did this trunk makeover in the final week before the packers came; and I just finished the artwork for Jack’s bedroom. I am sure there have been other last-minute projects over the years.
Admittedly, I’m in a unique position because decorating my home and sharing the tutorials with you is part of my job. Since it’s part of how I earn an income, I can usually justify the time and cost investment even if the project has a very short-term existence in real life. Almost always though, the projects I squeeze in at the last minute are ones that have been planned and supplies are already purchased…it just took me longer than expected to get to it.
Other times though, I do have to just “Cry Mercy,” knowing that my “full” vision will never come to be. I never really finished our San Diego Master Bedroom; and in this home, I didn’t get our family room side tables stained or find one more set of pillows for the couches. While I think both of these projects will get tackled in the next home, it’s really hard to say. Each home brings a new set of projects to complete as part of an entirely different vision!
The Next Few Months
I apologize that this entire Coffee Break is moving related. But whether you’ve moved once or one hundred times, you know that moving is a significant emotional event that pretty much consumes every task, thought, and minute. So while we’re on the subject, I did want to let you know that these next few months here on the blog might be a bit bumpy. I am going to try my absolute hardest to keep to my usual publishing schedule (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays). But we are heading into a really uncertain time when we just don’t know when we will get a house, how long we will be without our stuff, and (most importantly!) when I’ll have new childcare! Always know that if I’m not here, I really want to be; and I’ll be back as soon as I can, so check in frequently!
Ask Megan!
If there’s anything you’d love to see me chat about in future Coffee Breaks (e.g., military life, Mom life, blogger life, wife life, etc), drop them in the form below!
Please Note: There is no email address on this form, so if you ask a really specific questions about a product or post, I can’t get back to you. Please leave those kinds of questions in the Comments area, and use the form below for broad topics or questions you’d love to see me cover in depth…Thanks!
Megan
12 Comments on “Coffee Break #31”
It should be noted in the log that I put most of the holes in the wall and wire any/all lighting fixtures…with Megan’s supervision of course.
You seem like an awesome husband! I think you’re a keeper!
I get it! We have moved with the Air Force 8 times, and we are civilians. It is all-consuming for a few months, and I also hate the process. However, I do love living different places and have always gotten the itch to move on about 2 years into anyplace we have been. Good luck with all of the logistics, and I hope you aren’t “homeless” too long.
Good luck with all the moving things. I’ll be praying you aren’t homeless for too long!
Good luck on the moving process. Hope you find the perfect next home. I know you will wow us with whatever you do. Enjoy your husband, boys and grace yourself with some downtime if you can. Take care!
All the best for your move….hope it goes as smoothly as possible. I can’t imagine moving as often as you do, but I know i have hated the process every time. Keep doing what you do, I love seeing your posts.
Best of luck for the move for your entire family!
Great post – moving is so all-consuming it’s a wonder you can even be here. It always seems to take longer (every part of it! the prep, the travel, and unpacking!) than you plan. But I know your moving binder and spreadsheets will be a huge help! As always, Greg’s comments are hilarious, but you can tell he appreciates the homes you make. Hang in there, and drop what ever tasks you need to in order to keep your sanity. As a Navy junior, some of my strongest memories are the moves we made. It’s a stressful time, but also makes you realize what strength you have in your immediate family. And it’s also a chance to re-connect or say goodbye to cousins, aunties, uncles, etc. And hopefully you will re-unite with old military friends. Aloha, Tenney.
We must be on the same moving cycle- our pack out is next week! It’s helpful to know others around the world are feeling the same way. My theme verse for moving is Ephesians 4:19, “My God will supply all your needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
I have a friend whose last move was about 13 years ago. I remember her move. I remember her stress. And she is the one that reminds me EVERY time that I move that it really is a Big Deal — emotionally, physically, logistically.
That has really helped me. Even though I feel like it should be “easier” because I’ve done it so often, each move is a really Big Deal. Recognizing that helps me be more gentle with myself, breathe a bit, and remember that we CAN do it.
When I moved into my current home, the following day I had to drive my daughter to a university in New York where she would be on exchange for a semester. This meant keeping track of all the things she needed for her time in New York, along with everything else. Also, the former owner of my house left so much stuff, it was like moving twice! We didn’t have time between moving out of my former home and into my new home to clean it out first. Exhaustion is an understatement! Mentally and physically I was so done! I didn’t even get to enjoy New York City while I was there. It was pretty much a drop off, get everything she needs, and go home to deal with cleaning and unpacking. Oh, and I’m a single mom, so it was all on me! I plan to die in this house. I honestly don’t know how you do it so often!!
By the way, you obviously love blue! So do I! I also love your state maps you have framed behind you in your Coffee Break #28 photo. I’m assuming those are all the places you’ve lived. I also want to mention that your blog is the only one I read. I have subscribed to others in the past, but get annoyed with them and unsubscribe. You are not obnoxious with the amount of emails you send. Thanks for being so relatable, and from one creative person to another, sharing awesome ideas that have inspired me!