Moving House in London – The 10 Things I Have Learnt!

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!