Laundry: No One’s Favorite Chore

Laundry happens to be one of those necessities or household chores that I really dislike doing. Perhaps it’s because I have so many clothes that it’s a time consuming process just to do multiple loads of laundry. Perhaps it’s because I wish it was as easy as putting it in the washer and dryer when in reality, sorting and folding laundry takes the most time.

Overall, I feel like if I had the choice between laundry and any other chore around the house, I’d always choose the other chore. Always.

For us at our apartment, our laundry hookup is in the basement and yet our bedrooms and closets and dirty clothes are all upstairs in our rooms. So it takes multiple trips up and down multiple flights of stairs, and that alone can be annoying to deal with. The other thing that gets me is we only have one laundry basket, so when I do make multiple trips up and down the stairs to bring loads to and from our room to the basement, I run out of things to use to hold the laundry since it’s usually occupied by other clean, folded laundry. Heck, this causes me to scrounge for items that could be useful in the process, like cardboard boxes or even just strongarming it all down to the basement in my hands.

I’m certain that if the laundry and my closet were on the same floor, I’d have a much less hate filled relationship with doing laundry. But until then, until we move out of our apartment, I’ll be annoyed at the thought of folding clothes and taking baskets and cardboard boxes full of laundry up and down the stairs.

It’s funny too since I used to hate doing laundry in high school as a chore. I would always fight with my brother over who had to do the laundry. We’d literally bargain and divvy out chores in a way that we preferred, almost as if we were drafting chores back and forth for the day.

Ultimately, I think if we had a laundry chute, more closet space, and a bigger washer and dryer, laundry truly wouldn’t be that much of a hassle. But since there are so many steps to actually doing it, I end up spending an entire evening washing clothes, drying them, folding them, and transporting them twice. It’s all a bit much for me. Heck, I’d far prefer to clean the dishes or cook dinner than mess with laundry.

Finding Happiness in Where You Live

I’m often envious of the people who move off to a state that’s cross country. Or even a country that’s on a different continent. They seem carefree, completely independent, and just totally oblivious to the things that weigh down so many of us on the normal daily grind.

You see, the thing is, I know I’m a happy person who is independent and, for the most part, devoid of any sort of baggage that drags a lot of people down. I’m like the people who I envy that move off.

So why don’t I do it?

Well, I like where I’m at in my life. And I like where I live.

It’s not like I don’t have the capacity to just up and move away. I know I could get a decent job on one of the coasts, and I know I’d love the bustling nights that they provide with wildly various people to meet. I’d be fine and could manage my new life however I wanted.

But I enjoy my location, who I’ve surrounded myself with, and what I’m doing with my life. I have developed my sense of self-worth and independence through my own methods of trial and error, so I’m not in need of some far off journey that ends elsewhere. I’ll leave my cardboard boxes of old books in storage untouched because I don’t need to move away and pack up those cardboard boxes.

Too often, people move away for the wrong reasons. They think that somewhere else will automatically be “better” for them and that their current location can’t get any worse.

The problem with that thinking is that it’s not the location that is better; rather, it’s you who gets better. You become happier with a new environment. You start off your life anew. You find new people. It’s more exciting, more nerve-wracking, and more hectic at first, but it renews your sense of purpose.

So, it sounds wildly enticing to up and move for the hell of it. I can admit that. But I don’t need that fresh perspective that so many people do, because I try to have a fresh change in my thinking or living a few times each year so that I’m not growing complacent or even jaded with my current life. So long as I can hold myself to that, I know that I’ll be happy and successful with my life.

Countdown to Moving Day

Moving is one of those life events that is both exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. If you have an upcoming move on the horizon, you can do yourself a real favor by planning out a week by week strategy which will make the work so much easier.

8-7 Weeks

This is the time to research the company you plan to use for moving. This is also a great time to look into specific services you will need in your new location. Doctors, dentists, financial institutions. It is also not a bad idea to take a look at moving insurance. This protect your possessions during a move.

Spend some time getting estimates from a few different moving companies. This will ensure you get the best deal possible. Also, make sure you start the process of having your address changed.

6-5 Weeks

Start doing an inventory of your clothing and belongings. It might be time to donate to Goodwill in order to cut down on the volume of things you need to move. Also, start the transfer process for your kids if they will be heading to a new school.

Start getting your moving supplies and cardboard boxes ready for the big day, and don't forget to notify your friends and family of your new address. Get a room by room packing plan in place so that you and your family do not feel overwhelmed by the amount of work in front of you.

4-3 Weeks

Arrange for time off at work and even set up a babysitter if your children are too young to be helpful. If you think the move will be too emotional for your kids, then that is a good reason to get a sitter as well.

Begin to arrange all important paper work and personal items which you do not wish the moving company to handle. Figure out your plan for moving these items.

If your moving company will be handling expensive items, then you will want to take pictures of these items and date the photos just in case anything happens during the move.

2-1 Week

You might feel that you are running out of steam at this point, but keep packing. Make sure you have filled out an official change of address form with the post office. This is also the time to clean out any major appliances which will be moving.

Your move should be feeling really, real now. It's time to schedule a utilities turn off date. This should be set for one day after your move out date. Confirm all final details with your moving company. Set up a cleaning service to come directly after the move out to conduct a move out cleaning. Be sure to get plenty of rest the night before your move, because regardless of how much pre-planning you do, the day of the move will be physically and emotionally tiring.

Be sure to take time with your family to enjoy all of the wonderful memories you made in your home and to reassure each other that this move is the beginning of a lot of new memories as well.