Moving in Quarantine

Moving in normal times sucks, but moving in a lockdown is even worse.

Donation centres aren't open, so you can't get rid of good things that can be used by someone else.

You're inside all of the time because nearly nothing is open... so you're in a clutter-y Hell all day.

And, because you can't have your friends over without the fear of death in your neighbours' eyes, you're doing it all by yourself with no one to talk to.

The only upside is that there's no traffic when you're doing runs to your new place or to the storage locker.

So in the time leading up to Moving Day, I've been going through a lot of stuff; throwing out what I can, putting aside a box of things I would like to either sell or donate. I came up with a system a while ago when I realized I wouldn't be staying in the city forever, and I really focused on the future goal of buying a house and starting a life in the country somewhere.

I call them my little "house rules".

---

rule #1

try not to buy anything that wouldn't contribute to a new home.

And by that, I mean:

don't buy any unnecessary knick-knack items from Winners just because;

don't buy weird furniture that doesn't serve a purpose, unless it's something such as a storage cupboard for a pantry;

try to refrain from going crazy in the holiday decor aisles.

Things like that.

Try to live as minimalistic as possible, and spend the majority of your money on everyday necessities so to limit the amount of crap you're going to have to lug across cities. It saves money, saves room in the truck, and really just gets you in the habit of thinking in a need versus want mentality because ultimately, you need the house as you need a place to live, and that's the biggest want.

---

rule #2

live organized so that you don't have to organize later.

If you're someone who puts things where you put them in that moment, it might be difficult to go through everything efficiently when moving time comes around. I'm not suggesting Marie Kondo-ing everything every single day, but if you try to keep your stuff in its place most of the time, packing things up goes a lot quicker.

It sounds obvious, but storing pans in one space and pots in another makes for grabbing and boxing much faster. Keeping cooking tools separate from baking utensils means bagging them quicker, and putting them beside those stacked pans and pots in a box in seconds. That's four drawers and cupboards packed in literally a minute and a half, not even.

Compartmentalize spaces as if you were about to pack them in specific and individual boxes this minute, because in the end, you will have to.

---

rule #3

stop buying food and use up the stuff in your freezer like, now.

I've also been trying to use up everything in my freezer and fridge since early March, just so I don't have to spend extra money on food when I have plenty that can be used right here at home. It saves on the grocery bill, but also allows for that money to be put toward moving expenses.

Pinterest recipes, Google stews, or just throw everything in a pot and see what happens. If you're mixing meat with veggies or potatoes, I highly doubt you'll go wrong.

Myself, I noticed I had quite a few jars of broth in the freezer, so I decided to make some Split Pea & Bacon Soup. I had a majority of the ingredients handy in the pantry from having made all of those Shepherd's Pies. If you can't have your friends over for spectacular packing festivities, you might as well be comforted by tasty food.

the soup

Split Pea & Bacon Soup

2L broth (either boxed or homemade)

6-8 slices of bacon, chopped

1 medium onion, roughly chopped

2-3 stalks celery, chopped

2-3 carrots, peeled and chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1-2lbs green and/or yellow split peas, rinsed and picked through

1tsp thyme (fresh or dried)

1tbsp parsley (fresh or dried)

salt

a lot of pepper

In a soup pot, cook the bacon until it's as crispy as you want it. Do not drain the fat. Take the bacon out and set it aside.

Sauté the onions and garlic in the the bacon fat until cooked and somewhat translucent, around 5 minutes.

Stir in the carrots and celery, mixing occasionally until almost cooked.

Add in your rinsed peas and mix thoroughly.

Immediately pour in your broth and give it all a good swirl. Add in your thyme and parsley.

Cook on high until it comes to a rolling boil, about 10 minutes. Reduce to a low heat and allow it to simmer for around 45 minutes.

Stir the soup again to break up the peas a little bit. Give it a taste and add as much salt and pepper as you see fit.

I will say that I find the soup tastes better if packaged and left overnight in the fridge. I think it gives the peas enough time to soften more, and the bacon fat to amalgamate into said softened peas.

---

I hope you don't have to move during the Great Quarantine of 2020, but if you do, I wish you luck and I feel your stress.

Eat good food, snack if you want to, and remember... it's just stuff. Keep the important things, reminisce about the sentimental items, and discard what only takes up space. Your movers and more importantly, your mind will thank you.