Friday, January 3, 2014

Happier At Home

This was the first book I've ever read by Gretchen Rubin.  I'll probably be finding myself at the local library checking out The Happiness Project to see how I can improve my life.

For me the possessions section of the book hit home.  I'll be moving this year with any luck unless the Army yet again changes the orders.  I'm going to have to de-stash.  I'm going to have to make sure my spouse lets go of things he thought he really needed too.

I want this move to be our best move yet.  I want to be able to load up the car with things that we'll need for a few weeks after we get settled and before our household goods arrive.

I don't want to be taking with us unspent ammo, perfume, lotions, ammo making supplies and food that the movers didn't pack.  I want to get rid of things that have no sentimental value. We can purchase what we need and want when we get to the new duty station.

I have an idea for packing up the SUV.  Our SUV is small.  I'll need to pack the kennel into a crate with the litter box, food dishes and a toy or two.  I'll need to pack a large suitcase to share with my spouse.  I'll need to make room for his gym duffle which will contain a few uniforms for various parts of the day.  Oh and I'll still need to make room for a cooler for snacks since I have gestational diabetes.  Then there is the Yafa block that contains the fluids, belts, wiper blades, plug in tire inflation device, and tire wrench.  The laptop and other electronic devices that are necessary with their adaptors will also have to find room in the vehicle too.

I'm not sure how I'm going to get all that I actually need into the SUV but I'll most likely make a packing plan.  There won't be room for the maternity pillow I'd like to buy.  My mom didn't have one and most likely I won't either.  I'll have to make due at the hotels with asking for extra pillows for sleep.

Luckily I started getting rid of things last year when I thought we'd be moving.  To the cousins went puzzles, cassette tapes, motorcycle helmets, clothing, decorations, books, candles, and anything else I knew I hadn't used in a long time. As I look around my home office right now I can see a few more things I wouldn't mind parting with too.

The first goal on my checklist for possessions is to hand off my copy for the book.  I handed it off to my spouse in the hopes that he'll get from it what he needs and pass it along next.  I think he could do well with loosening his grip on possessions.  The man collects everything including antique axes and I swear dust bunnies!

This post was inspired by Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin where she runs a nine month experiment to create happier surroundings. Join From Left to Write on January 6 we discuss Happier at Home. You can also chat live with Gretchen Rubin on January 7 on Facebook! As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.

7 comments:

  1. All good ideas! Stop grocery shopping a few weeks before you leave...just buy your fresh fruit and veggies and what you absolutely need. Make a game out of being creative and using up all the extra stuff in your pantry! I do this once a year or so just to get rid of things that have been sitting there too long!

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  2. I haven't read Happier At Home yet (it's on my list, thought!), but I LOVED the Happiness Project. Fascinating read.

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  3. Moving is the best motivation for destashing! I haven't moved in 8 years but I've been trying hard to de-stash. Harder still is to not bring more stuff home. Dang books! --Thien-Kim of From Left to Write.

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  4. Decluttering has always been an issue for me! I am definitely happier and feel lighter inside when I have less stuff around. I keep telling myself that I need to organize my house in a way that if I was looking to move, I could go with only a couple of days of packing and cleaning.

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  5. My husband and I have moved 3 times together. Each time while he is at work or doing something other than packing, I pack up some clothes that neither of us had used in awhile and packed in a box for donations. I also make boxes of food to give away, etc... the less I have to unpack in the new place the better!

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  6. I apologize in advance if I've accidentally double-posted but I think I lost my first comment.

    What I wanted to say is that as a fellow Army wife I identify with you feeling the need to weed out excess prior to a move.

    Like Rubin, I actually tend to feel overwhelmed by too much "stuff" and have to consciously let myself collect or keep a few things just because they make me happy or have sentimental value.

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  7. Moving is such a challenge, but it sounds like you have a good strategy. Good luck!

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