GET OUT

Brace yourself.

It's coming.

Piles of things with nowhere to go and an impending deadline. You have a million things to do so you begin the arduous task of figuring out what to keep and what to let go of. In the beginning, it seems easy enough. Maybe you don't have lots of things. In which case, the above picture will never be you. In most cases, however, just get your tissue ready. Or your bottle of libation. Whichever suits your fancy.

Let me start with the process of letting things go. Because I am so smart, I began paring down months ago. It felt good and I was so proud of myself for being on top of things. After that, I began to walk around my house and think about what I would post things for when the time came. I decided I didn't want the hassle of bargaining so I would post things for a ridiculous price. Satisfied that I had time, I continued on with daily life. Fast forward some months and we get the paper work. It is so confusing that I set it aside and figured I would get to it later. "We have time, right?"

NO!

After questions from friends about what I had done so far I decided I had better look at a calendar. It was shocking and I quickly shifted into gear! I posted things and people began calling! They didn't even bargain and I was a happy camper having gotten rid of so many things in one weekend. Unfortunately, my selling streak didn't last long and the things they bought were holding containers for things I would need in the coming months. The clutter in my house became a direct representation of the chaos I started feeling inside. My house looks like a mess!

There are several ways moving out can go at this point:

1. Continue to post and get frustrated that people aren't buying your things.
2. Post expensive items for dirt cheap and get a 4th of what you payed for it in return.
3. Give it away.

Now, I will admit that I have some pride-doesn't everyone?-and I just cannot entertain someone who offers me 200 dirham on a 5 month old item that costs 1200 brand new. #wheretheydothatat? Call it what you like but I would rather give it away than to accept insulting offers. For this reason, option 2 is not an option I can live with. I also don't have time to get frustrated over items that don't sell so option 1 is a no go as well. Option 3 has all the benefits without the headache!

There are a few ways to give your things away. Word of mouth is easy. There are so many people who would be grateful for your items and who are in desperate need of things. Try the cleaning staff at your school or in your building. I will put everything out- bath towels, kitchen items, health and beauty items, etc and they can take what they want. In the meantime, I will be waiting for Take My Junk to come and take everything I was unable to sell. They. Take. Everything. Having that appointment has alleviated so much stress! One word of advice-don't count on money from selling items because you never know what you will get!

In terms of packing your personal things, as far as I know you are on your own with that BUT there seems to be someone you can pay for anything you want done here-just don't be mad if something is broken when you get it home. If you have a husband (or lots of muscle), be sure to weigh everything and know if you have overage fees to pay. If you know you are going home in the following year TAKE THINGS HOME IN PREPARATION! You won't regret it.

And while you are preparing to repatriate, remember to continue to enjoy life and do anything you feel you haven't yet experienced or anything you feel you should repeat. For me, I know there are lots of things I won't be able to eat at home so we made a list of eateries to hit up before our departure. See your friends and continue making those memories! The stress of all of this won't be over until you are on that plane. Aside from xanax, I am not sure there is a cure but make preparations for things to go smoothly!


*When all is said and done, I will post about this all elusive exit process!