To my amazement, it looks like we will at some point in the not too distant future be moving home. (Shall I rustle up a few mor cliches?) The prospect is incredibly daunting. The last time we moved home, which was 20 years ago. I was fit, healthy, active and working. This time I have a chronic illness, spending the majority of my life in our bedroom.
The chronic illness, I have had for 20 years. Mmm I’m sensing a theme. I quite honestly wish I could conveniently forget to provide said chronic illness with my forwarding address and leave it behind. Or just stick it in the nearest post box with ‘MEcfs – not known at this address, return to sender‘ slapped across it! Aah, one can dream.
Past Experience
But I try to remind myself that I am the person who, almost 30 years ago and with a five week window, singled handedly packed up our home, organised the rental of it, rehomed some hedgehogs and my dearest pets (worst task ever), and packed belongings to take with, whilst keeping our twenty-month-old entertained.
Off to Asia we went. [Grateful thanks to the checkin angel at Heathrow who bunged my excess luggage onboard whilst I stood and sobbed.] Five years later I had ten days to do similar in the reverse. On that occasion I had a whole flat to ship. Not the best for wellbeing, and I definitely wouldn’t recommend it within such a tight timescale.
Gathering Thoughts
Back to the UK. After a little thought, and loads more time laid up in bed, somehow or other, I will attempt to document the moving process. In the hope it may help other folk, or that those experienced with similar or the same will share their wisdom too. I need it! I have honestly never shown that much interest in bedrooms. Now, I am the queen of detail on them, and their proximity to bathrooms! And continuing on to.
The Moving List
Here are a few thoughts I have gathered so far.
- Firstly and most importantly – You can’t leave your chronic illness behind, it knows your forwarding address. Darn it!
- Secondly. Do you respond with irony or honesty when the agent hopes you’re well? I never know how to reply to that. Especially in emails. I digress.
- Getting serious now, honestly. Don’t be in a rush, and pace yourself, as much is possible and practicable.
- Be realistic. If your travel capacity is ten miles on a reasonable day (avoiding the word ‘good’, as that is a misnomer within the Chronic Illness community). How far could you realistically/safely travel to view a property? Bearing in mind that you will have to get out of the vehicle taking you there, think, possibly negotiate stairs (which may well be a big problem) and try to retain information, then travel home again. I am honestly beginning to think I may have to move sight unseen, apart from online!
- Make list of your needs/essential/must haves, as opposed to your wants. Then make a list of your wants.
- Take lots of breaks. Absolutely vital. Have hours and days when you don’t think about it or look at MyDreamHome.FairyLand.
- Many homes just aren’t suited to chronic illness/disabled life. How ever hard you try to believe they will. And if you believe it will, how many adaptations will be needed and how much might they cost?
- How many aids/disability equipment do you need to:
- Accommodate
- Store
- Move around
- Access with ease….Because all your stuff is moving too. A wheelchair wall hanging just isn’t going to work.
- Will that schmancy shower take your shower seat? And do you realistically see yourself in that elegant roll top bath surrounded by rose petals and candles? I mean, where are you going to balance the unscented shower gel? And who is going to help you in and out? ‘Cause your shower seat just ain’t gonna wear it babe!
- Will those cute stairs at an 85° angle of incline with the stable door and rope handrail accommodate a stairlift?
- How many homes can you view without going into relapse? Probably an unanswerable question. I may now have to consider online viewings. But you will need, if at all possible, a scout to filter out the:
- Completely utterly wrong,
- No, you’re bonkers,
- Just NO!
- There’s steps, up down, soo many levels,
- Narrow doorways’ … Type properties etc. You get the picture.
- Do you need to view everything? *Please see above.
- What is local access like beyond the front door?
Penny!! Please stop. Ok, I think that’s probably enough to start with.
An illustration of my moving brain!⤵️
Closing Thoughts
Fortunately I began decluttering about five years ago. Honestly, I am stopping. I have made a small dent, and have learned to be a bit less clingy with stuff. But there is still a huge amount to be done. Which will basically have to be done by someone else, because I can’t. Tyra Banks dramatic arm swipe!
Oh it’s such fun this ME thing. Wrecking your life and all. But joking aside, there are hidden costs involved as a CI’er moving. But with ingenuity, shout outs for help, reasonable quotes and perseverance we’ll get there, eventually. I hope. Thin smile. This is just the beginning. I CAN do this. You’ve got this. What doesn’t…oh you know that one. Whatever! And other helpful phrases one can muster!
Oh, and if you are moving within the UK. If you see a patch of green, just assume it will be built on. Worth checking planning portals. We’ve come across a few.
I will be back soon with more quotes from the wisdom of the conked out. Have a great day. And if you have any chronic illness moving tips, do drop them in the comments. I mean ones that don’t make you cry!
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Hope found in M.E. 
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