So, if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram you will know that for the past week and a half (feels like so so so much longer!) I have been moving out of my flat.
Moving house is always stressful but as I sit here on the penultimate day in this gorgeous flat, in my empty bedroom – no photos, no fairy lights, no candles or cards etc – I have been thinking about the things I have learnt from this experience that might be helpful.
1. Ikea and Costco bags are awesome.
Yes, those bags you buy at Ikea because you had bought 200 tea lights, a bag of 30 sponges, several glass jars and a hundred other things you probably don’t need and, surprise-surprise, can’t carry everything in your bare hands.
These bags are amazing. They can hold weight that most humans can’t lift. I don’t know how they do it. It must be some kind of feat of engineering – but trust me on this one – grab yourself a handful of them the next time you are there.
I promise you will get so much more use out of them than the lantern you have just picked up because is would fit on your bedside table and is the same colour as your new bedding!
2. People will get fed up of hearing about your house-move.
I know that for nearly 2 months of your life it is at the forefront of your mind – dreading it, planning it, actually doing it, or just being exhausted from it – people are interested the first time you mention it, they will listen the 2nd, 3rd and 4th time you mention it – but after that, they just don’t really care all that much about whether you think you will be able to move everything out on time or who you think may buy your sofa….keep the house-move chat to a minimum to save your friendships!
3. Tea will become an actual fuel.
Hi, I’m Rosie and I am a Tea-addict.
I am more than happy to admit it. However in the past week of my life, Tea has taken a new role. Tea is no longer something I make to sit down comfortably and write with (apart from anything else, I’ve packed the kettle and wouldn’t know where to start looking for the tea bags!) It is now something I need to stay awake.
Whether it is driving a car load of stuff away from the flat and trying to stay focussed on the motorway or staying up late packing more stuff, it has taken on a new role in my life. I’m not sure I like this new role it has taken. Let’s go back to normal soon please?!!

4. Sometimes people really do want your old stuff…
Gumtree is bloody brilliant. I put a load of furniture on it the other day (it’s free to use!) and a few items sold and were picked up that day!
5. ….And sometimes they won’t.
Not everything you try to sell will be wanted. Be prepared for this.
Helpful tip(!): Most local tips will have an area you can drop off usable furniture and electricals to be re-homed. You won’t get any money for them, but you know you are helping people, even if it is just your old bedside table!
6. Parents are incredible people.
I feel genuinely sorry for my parents having to put up with me during this move. While I said that people will get fed up of hearing about the house-move, I think parents are excused from this. They will get fed up, but they still have to listen (I presume this also applies to a boyfriend too, but as I don’t have one of them, my mum and dad are doing a bloody good job of it by themselves!)
Your parents will listen to all the crap you are ranting about – they won’t necessarily have the answers but they will listen and tell you it will all be ok – which is sometimes all you need – offload and get on with it……and maybe the occasional hug!
My mum even drove up and did a car load of moving stuff this week – Thanks mum!!! 🙂

7. Parcel Tape. Just get some.
That’s pretty much it. It’s sticky enough to stick to things. Not too sticky that it damages things or messes up surfaces. Buy lots. It helps.
8. Bin Bags. Same Story.
You can NEVER have enough Bin Bags.
9. You will eat mostly microwave food, takeaway food and things that cook using the kettle.
Once the pots, pans and trays have been packed (hell, I don’t even have any plates anymore!) you will have no choice but to eat microwave food, takeaway food, or those horrific pasta/noodle things that you pour hot water on.
It is allowed. Eat shit for a few days. You are burning off the calories lifting sofas (or in my case a memory foam mattress….by myself – I’ll just let you imagine that one!)

10. A bag of all the important things is the most useful thing you can pack.
So you’re packing a box and suddenly you realise your phone is dead….but where the hell is your phone charger??!
You’re sorting your now really nearly empty bedroom and need some music to keep you sane…
You’re hungry…
You’re smelly (it happens when lifting things all day, people!)….
You need to label something….
This is advice I was given by a friend, but I shall pass it on to you like a beacon of helpfulness:
On the week of the move, the first thing you pack is a backpack. This is your lifesaver.
In this backpack, pack your phone charger, your iPod and any small speakers you have (or headphones), something savoury (Nuts are good. Popcorn is too!), Chocolate (obviously!), Deodorant and a pencil case full of pencils and coloured sharpies.
I thought this was a silly idea when I heard it. This backpack has not left my side throughout the move. It has kept me sane…..well…..as sane as I get!

I’m off to microwave a “Dinner for two for £10” pasta dish and tape some more things with the wonder that is parcel tape. Here’s hoping today and tomorrow go swimmingly and I can hand in the keys with no qualms tomorrow!
Have you got any tips I’ve missed out? Please leave me a comment – I’d love to hear your moving survival tips!! 🙂
Bit of a long one today – It’s the first thing I’ve done that isn’t lifting things in days and I was really enjoying it!
14 Comments
Carries Closet
March 19, 2015 at 2:02 pmI hate moving i find it really stressful yet I plan to do just that in a few months to (hopefully) a place of my own. Good tips especially about the Ikea bags might have to make an excuse to go shopping there to get some! xxx
Renee
March 19, 2015 at 3:36 pmMoving is the worst but soo worth it once everything is finished and you can sit back and enjoy your new place! Hope you're loving it! 🙂
Renee
http://www.losetheroad.blogspot.ca
Sandra
March 19, 2015 at 5:37 pmCouldn't agree more regarding the IKEA bags! …even if it seems I actually lost mine last time I move (or maybe I've put it away somewhere?)
Sandra x
https://cakeandwhisky.wordpress.com
Jasmin Charlotte
March 19, 2015 at 5:55 pmHaha I love it! I've never 'properly' moved, when we moved to Aus we just got a packing company as way too stressful. But when I moved from NZ to London I literally just got rid of everything I owned and bought a suitcase. Easier than packing everything else!! I'm sure the next time I move will be the worst! xx
Jasmin Charlotte | UK Lifestyle Blog
Iga Berry
March 19, 2015 at 6:34 pmHello, I am Iga and I am a tea addict too. Love mint tea the most. Moving houses can be a pain and fun at once! I have found so many 'new old' things!
Do you like red lipsticks? If the answer is yes, I would love to hear your opinion here: http://bit.ly/1MNJ47b
Vanessa Billie-Jill-Jean
March 20, 2015 at 6:33 pmWonderful post…I like your blog.^^
Maybe follow each other on bloglovin?
Let me know follow you then back.
Lovely greets Nessa
Hannah Smith
March 21, 2015 at 5:32 pmI actually love moving.. I know that probably makes me strange, but I enjoy packing everything up and taking it somewhere new.
Hope your new home treats you well x
@smeethsaysfashn on twitter
Rosie Ladkin
July 9, 2015 at 3:51 pmSo stressful – I've done far too much of it recently! Yeah, ikea bags are my go-to now – makes things easier!
Hope your move goes/went well!
R xx
Rosie Ladkin
July 9, 2015 at 3:51 pmYeah, its the stress before that almost makes it better once you're in!
Glad you enjoyed the post!
R xx
Rosie Ladkin
July 9, 2015 at 3:52 pmGet more! You can never have enough! I've started using them for things like food shops too! So useful!
R xx
Rosie Ladkin
July 9, 2015 at 3:53 pmWow! NZ to London – thats's a HUGE move! Incredible! How are you finding it?
Yeah, its not easy, but if you've done that move, you can survive anything!
R xx
Rosie Ladkin
July 9, 2015 at 3:55 pmAll the tea – so good!
Yeah, its the pains and gains of each move – Still difficult!
R xx
Rosie Ladkin
July 9, 2015 at 3:55 pmThanks – Glad you like the blog!
R xx
Rosie Ladkin
July 9, 2015 at 3:56 pmoh my god, how?!?! If you ever want to do a house move for me, I'll happily make the tea!
Thank you – glad you enjoyed the post!
R xx