Moving…Again?

If there’s anything I qualify as an expert at by now, its moving. From Buffalo Grove to Champaign to London to Seattle and now to Chicago, I’ve had my fair share of experience with moving trucks, airplanes, maintenance disasters, and Bumble BFF. Moving is messy and complicated, and no matter how many times I do it, I don’t think it’s ever going to be a simple one-and-done. This week, I moved to Bucktown, Chicago! I can’t wait to share all the “Lost in Chicago” tips and experiences with you all, but in the meantime, thought I would share a few (more) tips for moving in case any of you have plans to move anytime soon. So without further ado, another week, another entry:

1.)    Expect the Unexpected

Honestly this is possibly the most important thing, but keep in mind that moving almost never turns out the way you wanted it to go. Three days before this move, I discovered I might have uninsured movers, got all riled up about how to sneak my movers on the premises, only to find out it was completely fine. More importantly, I moved on St. Patricks weekend in CHICAGO, probably the most high traffic, chaotic time to be in the city. There are so many people, all drunk, all green, all crowded around to see a green river, that I braced myself for the worst. Would I have originally planned to move this past weekend, within an hour of the river dying? Probably not. But did things work out okay in the end? Also yes. I’ve had the most insane things happen as a result of moving – had a mold outbreak, a dishwasher leak, and been stranded in a country solo – but I got through all those things and moving eventually chills out. Just be ready for anything and you will also get through it.

2.)    Download Bumble BFF

It’s so cringe to download this app and even moreso to turn the settings from “date” to “friend” mode, but its way more cringe to just not know anyone. I met so many incredible people in Seattle via Bumble BFF (to the point that my best friend from Seattle is still labelled in my phone with “Bumble BFF” after her contact name) and have truly learned that you are never too cool for an awkward meet up at Starbucks with some random stranger from a different suburb than you. And if you for some reason think you are, at least facebook search “_____ girls group” and find a community Facebook group you can join. You can post and meet people that way, or just hang tight and wait for someone to post (god, doesn’t that bring back memories of college freshmen year). This is also a greast way to get added to groups that do fun things you also want to do – whether its coffee crawls, comedy shows, new restaurant openings, or farmers market outings.

3.)    Leave the House

I know moving takes so much social energy, and its so tempting to respond by plopping yourself on the couch after another day of sorting through boxes, put on a show, and zone out of life. But getting out there (even if its just sitting awkwardly with a book on your rooftop or going to a local coffee shop (and writing a blog like I’m doing rn) is so important. Books will be your best friend if you’re one of those people that finds it awkward to go public places solo (though you shouldn’t, it’s the best). People-watching is truly an impeccable way to get familiar with your new home and ease into the transition.

4.)    Clean now, live later

Um, potentially polarizing advice I’m not positive my roommate would agree with, but procrastination is the enemy of moving. If you think you will get to the point where things are clean enough to walk through the mess “eventually”, you are greatly overestimating future you’s motivation. Clean now, enjoy living (and lounging around aimlessly) later. Trust me, it makes you feel so much more productive, whether or not you actually believe you are.

5.)    Get Into a Routine

If you work in the office, get down to the office. If you commute via public transit, learn the public transit. If you get up at 6am every day, quit your job, and also get up at 6am every day. Don’t allow yourself to get lazy too many times. Cut yourself the moving slack, but this one goes hand in hand with #4 – the sooner you get into a productive routine, the less you’ll hate yourself and feel behind later on.

6.)    Transportation Station

Shoutout to Chicago’s public transit because I truly feel like I’m somewhat getting the hang of it (LMAO, I say after I just sent my friend on the wrong train home from my place). So in all honesty, bracket in three weeks (maybe a month in a large city) of not knowing what’s going on at all in terms of public transit. I’ve done London, I’ve done Seattle, and Chicago is still throwing me for a loop. It never fails to amaze me how much I rely on Google Maps to navigate me absolutely everywhere – seriously, how did people do this thing years ago?

7.)    When in doubt, throw a housewarming

Last week, Jess and I went around to our neighbors and handed out four dozen chocolate chip cookies (adult trick or treating?) as a way of meeting them. I’ve always dreamed of doing that but I chickened out each time (even in college, where the whole point is that absolutely no one knows what’s going on). But it was amazing! Seriously do it, you’ll thank you and everyone will comment that no one they know has ever done it (I mean maybe there’s a reason for that but we both made it out unscathed so I recommend). Also throw a housewarming party and invite those random neighbors to that too.

8.)    There’s a store for everything

#8 has been my biggest revelation with this move particularly, as I’ve never purchased so many things from so many freaking places. Amazon has everything, even couches, utensils, TV stands, coffee tables, etc. We have a Walgreens across the street that apparently has everything you could ever need to assist with moving. Then there’s other online shopping sites that have free shipping and the ability to add on installation options (Wayfair) and plenty of used trading/selling options too. If you are one of those people who (like me) is tempted to bring absolutely everything with you to your new abode, stop, drop, and rollmember that you can find “things” basically anywhere and it will take time before you actually have everything you need (everything you want is a whole other story).

9.)    Used furniture is magical

Whether its marketplace or a random Facebook group that has a bunch of people trading and buying each other’s used shit, if you are moving and in desperate need of a couch or other random furniture, there’s a pretty good chance that somewhere out there is a person who is in desperate need of moving elsewhere and needs to sell that same shit you’re looking for. That is the beauty of life and what makes reselling old things the most affordable moving practice ever. In addition to the Craiglist, eBay, and Marketplaces of the world, I highly recommend Offer Up, which is like FB Marketplace but removes the likelihood of getting scammed. If you have a truck, I’d recommend transporting the furniture yourself so its even more affordable or just hiring someone on TaskRabbit to do it.

10.)  Take things at the pace you need

Above everything else, don’t put pressure on your moving experience to the point where you feel more stressed and overwhelmed than you’re bound to feel naturally. Moving is long, anxiety-inducing, and just flat-out exhausting, so be kind to yourself and things will go smoothly (or as close to that as inherently possible). Just like me, you’ll find yourself strolling around a market and chilling at Margie’s Candies in no time. Talk to you all next week<3

Sincerely,

Sharon