These tips for temporary living are born out of our own recent transition. Moving is stressful and sometimes it involves relocating to a new area and rarely do all the dates line up. It always involves pack up your personal belongings and realizing you might just have too much stuff! But finding out how to live between deciding to move and the truck actually showing up on your new front doorstep is full of many overwhelming moments.
- Lower Expectations – probably the #1 tip of all things related to moving (and parenting!)
- Try to keep things as normal as possible – this is especially helpful when it comes to kids
- Keep things simple – only take what you really need, you may have to move it around or store it in your car at some point.
- Ask questions – find out what is already provided in your temporary living space, find out how much you can bring and ask the people you are moving with what’s important to them
- Determine “must haves” – like its ok to consider NEEDS (ie, a good coffee pot) as part of the list of things you must take with you – this applies to favorite toys for children as well.
- Take care of yourself – if that’s organizing a certain way, getting out of the room, creating systems, hanging a calendar, reading, getting sunshine, or eating out. Do what you need to stay strong mentally
- Ask for help – ask the people you are moving with to pack their own belongings
- It’s ok if your kids watch too much TV – temp living is real and its not normal, and without all your normal rhythms they might just need a little extra entertainment.
- Set up a schedule – find a routine that works in your new space, keep flexibility but give yourself something that keeps pace, especially if you have children.
- Keep the light at the end of the tunnel in mind – this is not forever!!! You can do hard things, especiall if they are just for smaller amounts of time
- Store things in tubs on wheels – it just makes it easier to move to cars!! Trust me. This was one piece of advice I was given and having some on wheels and some not, it really does make a difference.
- Bring a cooler – this really applies if you are moving things out of a freezer or fridge, but it was helpful to move food around and store it until we could get it in a cold space.
- Bring a slow cooker – microwave and fridge are usually already there – but you are not guaranteed the type of stove, oven, or cooking dishes you may have access to – a slow cooker and prepare most meals, especially for a temporary time.
- Designate spaces – give people a “room” just like at your home. Find a flow that works and make sure everyone knows how to handle things like – shoes, bathroom organization, laundry drop, groceries/pantry, etc.
- Bring your baskets – for us the “key drop” area was a conundrum. I just hate to have clutter on the counter, but where do you put those things that you need every single day – a little basket, just for you!
- Make it a memory – use this time to do things you don’t normally do, try new recipes, make special desserts, visit new places and learn your new area – kids are resilient when its fun
- Give lots of grace – laugh at yourself and the situation instead of each other
I remember when I was pregnant with my son, a male co-worker gave me a great piece of advice that has applied to so many situations – “remember, your husband is not the enemy.” What a good tip, right?
And he is right, I have a great husband, even if he is a dude and can’t think as I think. (what’s wrong with them…..that might be my first question in heaven, Lord if you made a woman from a man, how are we so different?!?!?!)
But, it’s been a great reminder in my mind. When it’s the middle of the night and there are no burp cloths in the bin – it’s not my husband’s fault that he didn’t put up the laundry, we share that responsibility. When my kid has frustrated me all day and my husband asks the wrong question in the wrong tone – he is not the one I have to get mad at, I need to check myself!
The same is true for moving and temporary living. It’s just a stressful time. Chaos is breeding. Circumstances are changing and rarely resolved. Every day a new curveball gets thrown your way. Cling to each other. Lower expectations and just get through it.
What have you learned in any moving experiences???? What would you add to my list?
