topic Re: Still unpacking boxes 😬 in Home

Still unpacking boxes 😬

wagirl — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 14:58:26 GMT

Ok ---here I am 2 1/2+ weeks after my move to a new place---and I am STILL unpacking boxes and trying to figure out where to put things!!! Worked all day yesterday- day--- finding boxes marked for one area that were put in 3 other areas due to lack of open space and just too darn much stuff!!! I am admitting to making a few big mistakes with this move---and am regretting those decisions now. Not with the apt I moved to, just about how I didn't organize my garage to make sure what was in those boxes before moving them to a new storage unit and/or then to this apt. Some things should have gone into storage---and funny how you need to clear out other areas before you get to the place that you really need to set up. Like my kitchen area--it is a war zone--but am finding bath room stuff in those boxes as well as stuff that are DD's. And then in my bathroom--am finding kitchen stuff---in the livingroom I found 5 boxes of my pantry stuff and then under my table--have a bunch of tools!!!! My bedroom is also a disaster as it is smaller and my few pieces of furniture are way too big----so am a little dismayed at all this-----but I did find a new chiro in town---so now I can get tweaked almost on demand--which helps alot--this gal is no spring chicken---I need a new hobby!!!😶

Re: Still unpacking boxes 😬

Shelbelle — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 15:40:39 GMT

I admire you so much for doing this, moving is not something I would ever want to do at any age !!!

Re: Still unpacking boxes 😬

ciao_bella — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 01:56:30 GMT

@wagirl I'm sure it's very overwhelming, but try not to do too much and take one day at a time. It will all come together and, when it does, you'll be back to your normal stride again.

Re: Still unpacking boxes 😬

nyc1 — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 16:06:52 GMT

Don't be hard on yourself. You made a big change and did the best you could do at the time. You'll figure it all out. A few pieces at a time, rather than feeling overwhelmed, is my best advise.
Once you find a new haircutter, you're almost home!!!

Sending you a hug.

Re: Still unpacking boxes 😬

Pink123 — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 19:05:26 GMT

Hi @wagirl I hope health wise you are ok. Boy, I moved from my home of over 25 years and said, to heck with it and sold it furniture included. It was all big furniture and knew it would not fit anyway. I walked out with my crystals, momentos, and clothing. It sold in one day and that was all that mattered. I never missed a thing and felt lighter. So now the next move will be quite easy.

Remember please, stuff is stuff. I will be downsizing some more in a few months and so am facing the same issue. But it's getting easier and easier and cheaper!

I don't miss my things at all first off, ha! I thought I would. Then my relative from Jersey comes for a visit. We are the same size and I unloaded a lot of nice new clothing. Guess what? I don't miss them at all. I do not look back anymore.

Like George Carlin says it's just stuff! Take care sweetie.

Re: Still unpacking boxes 😬

wagirl — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 19:35:33 GMT

So just a little background--I sold my house of 35 years in 2021--built it in 1986 -- the now EX spouse----(thank you jesus😁)---had a wild hair and decided he was done being married after 47 years----the house sold in 2 days for so much more than predicted and I got 1/2 the proceeds. Had to move in 6 weeks and did so, but also got rid of a TON of stuff then. DD and I moved in together then. So I did not have nearly as much as I once did. Now I am finding that the things I thought I couldn't live without--mostly furniture--I am over that attachment and have no room for it now and am planning to try to sell it this summer when we go thru the boxes in storage. Am seeing how little I actually need or want at this age and just want to streamline my life. Right now I have a boatload of fiestaware--and I mean an aircraft carrier boat size that I won't use and have no where to store. What was I thinking??? Will pick out my faves and then try to sell that too. Told my DD--if someone offered me a million $$ to walk away with a box or 2 of things I love---I'd be out the door!!!

Re: Still unpacking boxes 😬

Marsha2003 — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 19:50:50 GMT

@wagirl I did my big downsizing two years ago, moving to a house that is half the size of the previous one. I remember the problem of having too many boxes to unpack at once. Luckily, I have an attached garage. I moved some of the packed boxes into the garage so I could have room to unpack in the house. After I removed everything from boxes and put the items in the correct room, I went back and organized each space. I was able to toss or donate more during that process.

So, take a breath and keep up the good work. It's hard to live in the midst of chaos, but you'll get there in the end. Remember, perfection can be the enemy of progress. You can always revise a room later, but figure out everything that goes in there first.

Re: Still unpacking boxes 😬

rockygems123 — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 21:44:16 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
So just a little background--I sold my house of 35 years in 2021--built it in 1986 -- the now EX spouse----(thank you jesus😁)---had a wild hair and decided he was done being married after 47 years----the house sold in 2 days for so much more than predicted and I got 1/2 the proceeds. Had to move in 6 weeks and did so, but also got rid of a TON of stuff then. DD and I moved in together then. So I did not have nearly as much as I once did. Now I am finding that the things I thought I couldn't live without--mostly furniture--I am over that attachment and have no room for it now and am planning to try to sell it this summer when we go thru the boxes in storage. Am seeing how little I actually need or want at this age and just want to streamline my life. Right now I have a boatload of fiestaware--and I mean an aircraft carrier boat size that I won't use and have no where to store. What was I thinking??? Will pick out my faves and then try to sell that too. Told my DD--if someone offered me a million $$ to walk away with a box or 2 of things I love---I'd be out the door!!!

@wagirl

Have you sold on eBay? Takes time with shipping especially breakables like your Fiesta ware but it's a good place to sell

Have you see the *sold* not asking prices on there? wowie some high prices on there.

Re: Still unpacking boxes 😬

cindyNC — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 03:49:26 GMT

I think what you're describing is pretty normal........but that doesn't make it any less frustrating. You'll get there. Please don't fret too much.

Re: Still unpacking boxes 😬

roeroe1005 — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 04:16:56 GMT

@wagirl,

As someone who has moved too many times, including out of NY and then back to NY (total of 6 times since 2019), I get what you are dealing with.

I had to get a storage spot when I came back to NY because I got a smaller apt. I lived in that apt. 10 months and bought a condo in September. I'm lucky to now have a garage with some shelves so I was able to get rid of the extra expense of storage, AND, decided that if I did not need it in the 10 months that it was in storage, I certainly can live without it.

I've put some things on Marketplace in Facebook and got rid of it. I also sold some things on Poshmark.

BUT, I had to buy a small pan today as I wanted to heat some things up this morning for breakfast and did not have my small 7" pan. Oh, that's right, I got rid of it before my move back to NY!

I hope you are settled in the next few weeks, but don't make yourself crazy over it. And please don't throw your back out over it.

Re: Still unpacking boxes 😬

Imaoldhippie — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:46:58 GMT

Its going on 2 yrs for a few moving boxes that I have yet to unpack. Hopefully, when warmer weather gets here I can finish the job.

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wagirl — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:35:43 GMT

@rockygems123 --I have not ever sold on ebay---and yes have seen the prices. That idea is a maybe--but until I can get this place in order--so I can function--think I won't get into that right now.

Re: Still unpacking boxes 😬

wagirl — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:43:32 GMT

@roeroe1005 --I can relate to the times moving--since 2019--I've moved 4 times--moved my daughter the same 4x too---seems like 100--AT LEAST. DD suggested Poshmark and the other one you mentioned too. So those are a maybe--am not on Facebook or any other platform except for here. Have donated probably thousands of $$ worth of stuff during all those moves so would like a little "love" back in my wallet--realizing of course, I won't get anywhere near what I perceive it should sell for.

Yes-- will try to save my back and all the other parts that scream at me--by over doing----thanks

Re: Still unpacking boxes 😬

jlkz — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 17:47:59 GMT

@wagirl

We sold a second floor condo with a small garage and bought a first floor one with a double garage last May in FL.

While I am extremely organized and DH tries to be, we ended up with over 50 bins / boxes for the move. I had a Master List of what went into the bins I pascked but DH tried and the closer to moving the day for him, the more " mixed " his bins became. We moved in mid-May and took several weeks to complete as much as possible. The kitchen, bedrooms and baths got priority.

The problem just as you described: too much furniture ( all theirs plus a few of ours ). When we returned in January, we got rid of head and footboards on the beds to create a wider walkway.

Just yesterday we finished the eat-in kitchen area after finding a small circular glass table with chairs. The area is smaller than in the first condo, so the 2 small barstools went as well as their oversized wooden table with chairs and a useless, very shallow floor cabinet. Letting go of the turnkey furniture was hard for him....it'll probably remain in the garage for a while.

Since the wall cabinets are smaller than we had before, I am spending time placing things where they belong better.

These are normal issues and they get resolved with time. There is light at the end of the tunnel and it is NOT an oncoming train !!! As other posters have suggested: Pace yourself. My addition: schedule some type of treat for your self as you cross stuff off your list.

One suggestion: get rid of pieces of furniture to create space. Sometimes the clutter and lack of space can become depressing. You may make a mistake in getting rid of an item, but you will have a better idea of what suits you and your new space better.

Trust your instincts: The more folks you ask for opinions / ideas can add to the confusion. Remember you are the judge because you and you alone will have to live with your decision. They don't....

Take your time and breathe...it will ultimately get done and your next project awaits !!!

Re: Still unpacking boxes 😬

wagirl — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:31:45 GMT

@jlkz --very sound advice !!! Appreciate that---Yesterday I found the bottoms of some fabric bins I use for storing my sewing stuff in!!! They are the right size to put on a origami storage rack--- Oh happy day!! Without those bottoms--its just a flimsy fabric bottom--no support--sounds like a personal problem to me🤪Now I can get rid of those humongous boxes I dumped all that stuff into--small victory. Its not that I have too much furniture--got rid of almost all of that when my house sold--its just too big for my bedroom. And its a lovely antique 4 drawer dresser that I've had since I was about 9 or 10-my folks prob bought it 2nd hand back then.It's not a fancy one--very basic and serviceable--hate that it doesn't fit my space but think I can move it to the livingroom under the TV and use it as sort of a mantle and store my seasonal decor in it. So I am plugging along .Am retired so this is my new job----Going to see my new chiro tomorrow for a tweaking--and then to get my awful nails done--that will be my big adventure out.

thanks again!!

Re: Still unpacking boxes 😬

jlkz — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:27:21 GMT

@wagirl

Nails sure take a beating throughout the moving process !

If you don't use nail polish ( I don't anymore ), the cheapest but best stuff I use for both nails and cuticles was recommended here on the Q board: All Over Balm. Its first ingredient is shea butter !

It comes in a small round tin for about $4 at Trader Joe's. I run the tops of my nails across the surface and then massage it into nails and cuticles. DH used it when the cold weather first hit in December and was amazed at how good his nails looked the next day.

The hydration is what makes the nails and cuticles respond quickly. Nail polish dries out the nails so they chip and break...especially as we age (81 !)

Re: Still unpacking boxes 😬

wagirl — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:08:34 GMT

I worked mostly in my bedroom yesterday---was filled with boxes mostly of my stuff but a few kitchen things too!!?? I did set up my bed asap after moving in the end of Jan--but it was an island in that room--had to climb over the stuff to lay down---couldn't move easily --so now have a path around the bed--re -configured my small closet too --now can open and close the doors--but still have boxes that are stacked at the walls and on top of my dresser. But the very best thing----I set up my printer and it can print from my PC as well as from my phone!!!! WOW! that is a major thing for me--was going to call my son to help--thanks to my friend google!!! Even printed out my tax stuff too. So little by little--things are happening ---not normal yet--what ever is normal??? But getting there!!!

Re: Still unpacking boxes 😬

wagirl — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:18:05 GMT

@Marsha2003 ---my dream was to find a house to rent--can't afford to buy--but no luck. I rent a storage unit right now--its close but not enough--I don't own a car anymore but can take a bus there, that is my plan coming in the spring/summer this year--to go to that space and fine tune it all. There is a tiny storage unit at this apt that we have--the size of an elevator maybe--but it will handle the overflow I hope. Been going thru the boxes here now and deciding to donate alot----I am finding at my ancient age of 71😶---I really don't have the sentimental attachments to alot of my stuff---I am very aware at how freaking heavy and hard to move it was to get here--that is a huge eye opener for me---so am willing to fix that problem without regret. It's a process that's for sure

Re: Still unpacking boxes 😬

LavernLuvsShoes — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:34:18 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
... I am finding at my ancient age of 71😶--- I really don't have the sentimental attachments to alot of my stuff.

I totally agree, which is why I'm constantly purging my home (and life) of unnecessary "stuff"

Re: Still unpacking boxes 😬

Marsha2003 — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 19:30:33 GMT

@wagirl After my move, I had the thought that anyone who has a shopping problem should have to pick up, clean, pack, carry and unpack every item they own. I think that activity certainly would discourage more purchases! 🙂

I wish you well on your continued organization and unpacking journey. It sounds like you have a good plan.