Moving and unpacking are never pleasant. Never. Okay, maybe if you are a college student and everything you own fits into your hatchback it isn't that bad, but still not pleasant. But, just because it isn't pleasant doesn't mean it doesn't afford you lots of opportunities to learn about yourself. So, here goes. This is what I learned this week.
1. We all know I have too much stuff. This is nothing new. What I did learn is that I have a lot of stuff I am more attached to than I thought. I have never thought of myself as being too attached to things but while trying to fill my "goodwill" boxes I kept putting things in the "store in the basement" box instead. As if someday, I'll need two copies of The Confessions of St. Augustine. The problem with my attachment to books is that I haven't read half of the ones I refuse to get rid of. That wouldn't be bad in and of itself except for the fact that I've had some of them for 5, 10 years and still haven't read them. I'm thinking I might never read them. But, I kept them anyway, thinking I'd join paperback swap, someday.
And speaking of someday, I have so much fabric with plans for each piece that I will make "someday". I'm telling myself no new fabric until Spring.
2. I've learned that I like to plan things out entirely in my head before taking action. If I'm not certain of exactly where everything will go, I'm a bit frozen. Not that I'm indecisive, I just like to do things "right." Ha ha ha. I did not learn that I like things my way. This was old news. (I'm hearing Arthur say "amen")
3. I've learned that no matter how frustrated I am or how overwhelmed I can be, just sitting on the floor with my kids is always fun. The boxes and piles and piles and piles can wait. Sometimes just stepping away from it all is the best medicine.
4. And sometimes medicine doesn't make a teething baby feel any better. Sometimes snuggles and hugs are the best medicine. I've also learned that teething babies that don't sleep at night + unpacking = no good.
5. I've learned that showing up at Ikea at 8:30 at night when they close at 9:00 is just about enough time to wind my way through the store without actually having time to put anything into my cart. A return trip will be inevitable.
My journey into household organization continues. I am sure there are 30 more life lessons to learn but those will have to wait until tomorrow. I'm tired.
This post is linked to the What I Learned This Week Carnival hosted by Musings of a Housewife.
