Key Takeaways
- 1Decluttering is not just cleaning, it is choosing who you want to be in your next space.
- 2Hidden clutter attracts stress, dust, and problems you did not ask for.
- 3Asking for help with big tasks makes the load lighter and the process less draining.
- 4Starting late still counts, progress is progress once you begin.
- 5Every move is proof that you can handle more responsibility and step into a new level of independence.
There is the cute Pinterest version of moving out, then there is the real version. The real version looks like leg day soreness from walking back and forth, boxes everywhere, random bottles from high school hiding under your sink, and you questioning all your life choices at three in the morning.
This move for me was not just about leaving an apartment. It was a whole season of clearing out, starting fresh at my grandparents’ place for a bit, and realizing how much stuff I had been low key dragging around that I did not even use.
Let us talk through what actually happened, what I learned, and how you can make your next move feel a little less chaotic and a lot more intentional.
The Closet And Bathroom: Where Procrastination Meets Reality
The video starts with my closet empty and my bathroom very much not empty. The closet was the easy part. Hang, fold, box, done. The bathroom was the true test.
Drawers full of half used products, hair stuff, skin care, body care, random samples, “I might need this one day” items. Instead of throwing everything into a box, I decided to split things into three simple groups:
- Stuff I use every week
- Stuff that can live in storage
- Stuff that needs to see the trash can
Anything I knew I would reach for at my grandparents went into a bin or my “taking with me” box. Anything that had dust on it or a weird texture went straight to the trash. If I had not touched it since high school, it was done. No debate.
The goal was not to pack a museum of my past bathroom habits. The goal was to only take products that matched the woman I am right now.
Under The Sink: Hidden Clutter And Uninvited Guests
Under the sink was a different level. Organizers, cleaning products, random skincare, old peel off masks, and then the surprise guest: a roach that looked dead at first and very much was not.
That moment was a nice reminder that clutter attracts dust, leaks, and little creatures that do not pay rent. When cabinets stay packed with stuff we never touch, we forget what is in there, and it becomes a dark corner for all kinds of nonsense.
So I:
- Tossed expired products and anything with a weird smell or texture
- Kept a small group of cleaning items for a final wipe down before moving out
- Let go of organizers that had become junk drawers
Decluttering under the sink was not fun, but it gave me that “clean slate” feeling. Less random stuff means less stress in the next place.
All-Nighter Energy: Packing With Support
By the time we got to the kitchen, it was already late. Like “we pulled an all-nighter and started talking to boxes” late. My man helped me the entire time, grabbing things from cabinets, breaking down the process, and reminding me it would get done.
We wrapped dishes, packed glassware, and separated food into three groups:
- Stuff for storage
- Stuff that needed to be tossed
- Stuff I could bring to my grandparents
Having support made a huge difference. It did not magically erase the work, though. We still had to wrap plates, wash what we wanted to keep, and deal with heavy boxes. The difference was I did not feel alone in it.
If you are moving, let this be your sign to ask for help. Even one person handing you tape or rinsing dishes can change the vibe from “I am drowning” to “we are getting through this.”
Procrastination, ADHD, And Still Getting It Done
I joked in the video about “learning my lesson” with procrastination, then admitted I probably did not. That is real. When your brain loves last minute pressure, it is easy to repeat the cycle.
Here is what I noticed, though:
- I did procrastinate
- I still got everything done
- The process felt way less overwhelming once I started
Perfection is not the standard. Starting is. Even if you begin the night before, you can still move with intention. Turn on music, set a timer, clear one drawer at a time, and give yourself credit for every small section you finish.
Driving The U-Haul: Main Character Moment
One of my favorite parts of this whole move was driving the U-Haul truck for the first time. We picked up a smaller truck, loaded everything for storage, and I told him, “I am going to drive it.”
I was nervous at first. New vehicle, big body, little mirrors, and nighttime. I gave myself a minute to figure out the seat, the mirrors, and how it handled, then pulled off. Once I got going, it really was not that bad.
When I parked that truck at the storage spot, I felt grown in a new way. Not grown like “I pay my own bills” only, but grown like “I can handle stuff that used to scare me.”
That is a part of moving people do not talk about enough. You collect proof that you can do hard things. You learn to trust yourself more.
Packing For Storage Versus Packing For Your Next Chapter
Almost everything in the truck was going into storage. That changed how I packed. I was not just throwing my whole apartment into boxes. I was making choices:
- What needs to follow me into this next season at my grandparents
- What can sit in storage until I have my own space again
- What no longer fits my lifestyle or values
For example, I want fresh towels in my next place, so my current ones might only serve as padding in boxes, then retire. Same with certain decor pieces that fit my old space but not the new vibe. Just because something cost money at one point does not mean it earns a permanent spot in your life.
The Real Win
By the end of the night, we had:
- A packed bathroom
- A mostly packed kitchen
- Boxes lined up and ready for the truck
- A dismantled bed and TV ready to move
- A tired but proud version of me
The real win was not just that everything fit in a truck. The real win was seeing myself handle it. Messy hair, late night, roaches, heavy boxes, all of it. I did not shut down. I did not give up. I kept moving, laughed where I could, and rested when it made sense.
If you are about to move, or you are in a season of transition, remember this: it does not have to look aesthetic to count. The work you put in at two in the morning still counts. The small decisions you make around what to keep and what to release still shape your next chapter.
You are allowed to be tired and proud at the same time.
