Boxes, Bubble Wrap, and the Big Fat Lies We Tell Ourselves: How to Survive Your Move with Humor and Grace
Then you open your basement door. Reality sets in. You find yourself staring at piles of boxes and plastic bins that have been sitting there since your last move.
Moving is a roller coaster of emotions. In the beginning, optimism and energy push you forward. Midway, exhaustion, overwhelm, and self-doubt take hold. By the end, when you are finally sitting in your new home with a glass of wine in hand, you laugh at all the ridiculous lies you told yourself along the way and marvel at how strong, resilient, and capable you truly are.
This article explores the five big lies we tell ourselves when packing and downsizing, the emotions they trigger, and the survival tips that help keep your sanity, energy, and sense of humor intact.
Lie #1: “I’ll Remember What’s in That Box!”Decluttering Truth: Why You’ll Forget What You PackedThis is the classic lie we have all told ourselves.
You are standing over a half-packed box, feeling triumphant for finally emptying a drawer. You tape it shut and think, “I’ll remember what’s in there!”
Famous last words.
Three months later, when that box resurfaces, it feels like opening a time capsule. Inside are random cords, an old cell phone, a stack of outdated magazines, and a few college textbooks. You ask yourself, “Why on earth did I keep this?”
Here is the truth. Once the box is sealed, your brain moves on to the next task. We convince ourselves that we will remember because we want to avoid making one more decision in that moment. We toss miscellaneous items into a box and promise to sort them out later.
But later rarely comes. Those boxes become silent, hidden clutter that represents the emotional energy we did not have at the time.
Survival Tip:Label every box as you pack it. Writing down what is inside forces you to consciously decide what stays and what goes. You may even realize that some items are not worth keeping at all.
Moving is the perfect opportunity to declutter.
Lie #2: “Five Rolls of Bubble Wrap Will Be Enough.”Downsizing Reality: You Have More Fragile Items Than You ThinkSomewhere between optimism and denial lives this common moving lie.
You toss five rolls of bubble wrap into your cart, feeling organized and ready. You imagine wrapping your entire kitchen, your grandmother’s china, and every fragile memory with ease.
Then reality hits around midnight. You have already gone through four rolls and have not even started on your glassware. Suddenly, you are scavenging for anything remotely soft—old towels, mismatched socks, or yesterday’s newspaper.
Here is the truth. Bubble wrap is not only about protecting your things; it is about protecting your peace of mind.
When you underestimate how much packing material you need, it is often because you underestimate how much you actually own. We want the process to be neat, fast, and controlled. But downsizing is not about control; it is about acceptance. Acceptance that you have accumulated a lifetime of possessions.
Survival Tip:Instead of buying more bubble wrap, give yourself a little grace and humor. When you start wrapping fragile items, ask yourself, “Is this worth the bubble wrap?” You will be surprised how often the answer is no.
Sometimes the most liberating part of downsizing is realizing that not everything needs to be protected—only what truly matters.
Lie #3: “We Really Don’t Have That Much Stuff.”Decluttering Mindset Shift: Seeing What You Actually OwnWe have all said it. “We don’t have that much stuff.”
We say it with confidence until we start opening closets, drawers, attics, and basements. Suddenly, we discover four sets of dishes, a lifetime supply of candles, and enough holiday décor to light up the entire neighborhood.
It is human nature to underestimate how much we own because we stop noticing it. These things blend into the background of our daily lives. That pile in the corner becomes invisible.
When you start pulling everything out, the sheer volume of “just in case” items can be overwhelming.
Survival Tip:Before you start packing, take a complete inventory. Walk room by room and take photos of everything you own. No judgment—just awareness.
Seeing your belongings clearly helps you make intentional decisions about what to keep and what to let go of. It may sting a little at first, but freedom always follows honesty.
Lie #4: “We Can Do This Ourselves.”The Truth About Moving: Why You Should Not Do It AloneThis lie often starts with good intentions and a touch of overconfidence.
We tell ourselves that we can handle every box, label, and load on our own. But somewhere between day four and the twelfth trip to the donation site, reality sets in.
Tempers flare, muscles ache, and you start questioning why you thought this was a good idea.
Downsizing is not just about sorting and lifting. It is about making thousands of decisions, each layered with meaning, memories, and sometimes guilt.
The truth is, you do not have to do it all yourself. Ask for help and accept it when offered. Friends, family, and professional organizers want to support you. Let them.
You will finish faster, safer, and with your sanity intact.
Survival Tip:You can do it yourself, but you do not have to. Ask for help early, hire a professional if needed, create a realistic plan, and set clear goals. Most importantly, give yourself permission to enjoy the process.
Lie #5: “Unpacking Will Be Quick and Easy.”Moving Reality Check: Why Unpacking Takes TimeWe all tell ourselves this lie to stay calm in the middle of chaos.
After weeks of sorting, packing, and labeling, we imagine that unpacking will be effortless.
But unpacking is just as messy as packing—sometimes even more.
You find yourself wondering who packed the Christmas ornaments with the bathroom supplies or why you kept four identical black sweaters.
Unpacking is really packing in reverse, only now you are tired, your patience is thin, and your enthusiasm disappeared when the moving truck left the driveway.
Survival Tip:Take your time. Focus on unpacking the essentials first, and leave the rest until you find the right place for it.If you are not excited to unpack something, that may be your answer—it is time to let it go.Give yourself permission to go slowly. Breathe. Celebrate progress instead of perfection.Sometimes the real work and the real freedom begin when the boxes arrive.
The Bottom Line: Moving Is Not Just About Boxes and Bubble WrapMoving is never just about packing materials or furniture.It is about facing the stories you tell yourself, confronting the big lies, and deciding what to carry forward into your new home and your new life.
By recognizing these five lies, you can move forward with humor, grace, and sanity intact.
Let go of the past. Make space for what truly matters. Step confidently into your next chapter, both physically and emotionally.
The next time you stare at a mountain of boxes, pause and ask yourself:
Am I packing for my future, or am I dragging my past along for the ride?
Moving is not only about where you are going—it is about who you become when you get there.
Resources to Help You Declutter and DownsizeBooks:Downsizing the Family Home: What to Save, What to Let Go by Marni Jameson Decluttering and Downsizing the Family Home: Strategies for a Stress-Free TransitionVideos to Watch:
If Not Now, When?The Hidden Cost of Delaying Your Downsizing Decision10 Things Every Woman Over 50 Should Declutter Right Now If She Wants More FreedomComing October 15:📘 The Letting Go Workbook
10 Proven Decluttering Methods + 3 Creative Bonus Methods to Simplify, Downsize, and Design a Clutter-Free Life You Love.
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