Moving house on Saturday and about to have a breakdown

[MayorMumbum]

For several reasons we are having to move house very quickly. We move this weekend and I'm completely heartbroken about it. The DC's are having to move from their friends and start at new schools. We've lived here eight years and generally been very happy.

It's made worse by the fact that I'm currently going through a horrible depressive episode (being assessed for cyclothymia/ bi - polar) and the whole thing just feels completely overwhelming. I'm crying on average about six hours a day at the moment .

I've not packed anything downstairs yet and there is laundry everywhere. DH has been doing things after work but I've completely shut down and don't know what to do .

Not really sure why I'm posting this to be honest, feel like I need someone to give me a kick up the bum and tell me to get on with it! I just don't know where to start.

So sorry your feeling like this. I don't have any advice I'm afraid but if it makes you feel any better I move on Friday and also haven't started packing and have loads of laundry!

You poor thing. We have recently moved- under less stressful circumstances- but it is always testing so I can’t imagine how you are feeling.
The two practical things I wish we had done is organise for a professional clean in our new place and also I wish I had packed the boxes by priority and labelled them REALLY clearly.
I would start by packing all the clothes/books/spare things you can live without for a couple of weeks. Maybe pack a suitcase of clothes for everyone so it’s there- toiletries can be added before move. And make a couple of kitchen essential boxes with kettle and minimum crockery you need to get started.
I brought two bin bags of dirty laundry- we had enough clothes to survive without doing it pre move! So if you can get away with it just do that. Start packing now and live alongside a growing pile of boxes until you move- and be kind to yourself.

Ps can anyone come and help you pack? Mum/sister/friend?

My sister is staying but as I have a poorly 3 year old our time has mostly been taken up by looking after her.
It just all feels really impossible at the moment to be honest and feel so guilty poor DH has to pick up my slack .

Get all the laundry into one place and shove a load in the machine. It'll be less stressful in one place and it won't be in your face anywhere else in the house. Out of sight, out of mind.
Then try packing one sort of item i.e. just do books or bedding or crockery. Tell yourself that you'll do that and nothing else. You may find you'll build momentum, or worst case you'll achieve nothing and be no worse off than you are now. Hope you feel a bit better soon.

Put Cbeebies on and stick your 3 year old on the sofa - honestly he'll survive for an couple of hours and if you're lucky he'll fall asleep

Poor you. Moving is bad enough - moving quickly is just horrendous.

I think having a box of stuff you'll need for the first few days as suggested by a PP is a great idea. Could you go through the laundry pick out enough for you all to wear for first 2-3 days and shove that lot in the wash then when its dry shove that lot in a box along with toiletries and asquash, tea , coffee, cereal, some mugs and lots pf biscuits and a bottle of calpol / any necessary medications. A packet of paper plates and bowls and some cutlery and a roll of bin bags.. Then a change of bedding each. Don't worry too much about food - google for delivered food in your new area instead you won't want to be cooking immediately.

Set your sister to boxing up books and then children's toys

Next stick the rest of the laundry in a big black sack (there you've started packing!) You can pull some more out and wash it if you feel up to it - or not up to you

Next do the fiddly things - ornaments, knick knacks etc. - you'll honestly feel better when they're done.

Be prepared to chuck stuff out as you're going. Go through kids drawers and have a case next to you and a bin bag on the other side - everything you want to keep in suitcase everything else in bin

After all that its time for a break - I suggest you get out the house for coffee and cake in a cafe. Getting out for a while will do you could and so will the cake

Later a big case for bedding and towels

You can do this and it will be alright. This is not insurmountable

I hope you’re doing ok OP.

Do you have a moving company? If so they probably offer a packing service for a few hundred pounds. Amazing service. We went out and came back to a packed up house. If you can't do that, what about task rabbit type site or advertising on local Facebook for help? It's Easter hols and there are plenty of students looking to earn some cash?

As pp said, pack one suitcase for everyone as if you're going self catering. Pack one box with kitchen stuff for day 1 and important documents. After this it's just a case of putting things in boxes without much thought.

If you haven't got enough boxes, go out first thing for lots more.

Get your sister to look after 3 year old with treat snacks and favourite films.

You can do this!

Make packing a ritual of saying goodbye and of helping your dc say goodbye, and helping you and them ready for the next stage. Good luck with your next step. Set yourself a target of two boxes?

Hello OP! I've moved house 14 times in 17 years. The tips on here are excellent, including throwing things out as you go along.

I know you feel awful, but you can get through it. Try to think of this as a new opportunity. A fresh start. Keep repeating this to yourself like a mantra.

Do you have a removals company coming to help?

Also don't pack too many heavy things in one box. Sounds obvious but books weigh a tonne.