Thank you so much for the comments on yesterday's post - it feels great to feel fully settled in. I hope I haven't been too much of a debbie downer the past three months but I have, thanks for sticking by my side.
Moving ain't easy so what do you do when you have to start from scratch or with only a few pieces in tow? With two international moves under our belt I want to share some things I've learned that might help anyone who is moving to a new city or country for school, work, family, or in my case: amor ;)
It's tempting to think that you'll need everything but if you stay true to practicality and enjoyment then you will be okay. In other words, follow Mr. Morris's words and "... have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful".
Keeping that in mind, we moved to London with four duffel bags stuffed with linens and clothing, and shipped three medium size boxes full of kitchen utensils, office supplies, and a few art pieces and knick knacks that were personal to us. Just having a framed picture and a memento from the past offered an instant feeling of "home" ... even if said picture frame was displayed on the cardboard box it came in for nearly three months.
Here are some tips to consider for creating instant comfort and avoiding unnecessary expenses and wasted energy:
• Bring your own bed linens, towels, and pillows. Even if only one set of each to start out with - you'll need them immediately.
• Basic kitchen utensils plus a pot and pan for cooking a simple meal. I always feel more settled if I can scramble my own eggs and not have leave home to feed my morning hunger. These individual items can also add up to a large expense if bought new.
• Personal photos, art, and any tchotskes that are small but meaningful to you. Something that you can place on a counter or lean against a wall and smile at until you find a more permanent space for it.
• Office supplies - it's amazing how necessary a stapler or paper clips can be. Especially if you'll be filling out paper work for new local accounts and such. Having these along with pens, paper, envelopes, etc., saves so much time in having to locate the nearest stationary shop. Of course, you'll eventually find one (and other stores for other things) but the point is to make starting out as easy as possible.
• Movies and favorite TV shows downloaded to your computer while you arrange your internet and TV services. This is extremely helpful for morale on those nights when you're sitting in an empty room eating off of paper plates.
And most important, don't forget to pack your sense of adventure and sense of humor. It's a big test for what you can and can't live without but the good thing is that it's temporary and as long as there's a roof over your head and a pillow to rest on, all is truly well.
As you can tell by the photo above we've moved to KL with a few more items. It was easier to do that this time around since we knew what our apartment looked like and could justify the freight shipping based on what it would cost to buy them all over again. We lived somewhat sparingly in London but now we're ready to go the distance, even if we have to pack it all up again (or leave it) in a year or two. We've gotta love it and enjoy it right now - home sweet home.
Do you have any items that instantly make you feel at home whether moving across town or across the globe?