Summary

Kim McKinney reflects on the slow process of unpacking after a recent move to a new apartment, considering the possibility of holding the world record for the longest time taken to unpack.

Abstract

Kim McKinney has recently moved into a 2-bedroom apartment, marking the start of an exciting new phase in her life. Despite her intention to unpack quickly, she finds herself with a kitchen full of boxes and a lifestyle that doesn't prioritize immediate organization. She has managed to create "no box" zones in her bedroom and living room but admits to having a surplus of kitchen gadgets and not enough storage. Kim's unpacking process is hindered by her discovery of sentimental items and the enjoyment of her new environment, including visits to the farmer's market and celebrating a friend's birthday. She contrasts her experience with a survey stating that the average American takes 182 days to unpack, and while she has more than the average 26 boxes, she remains optimistic about finishing before most Americans.

Opinions

Kim acknowledges her tendency to hold onto items, even those that have been packed away for years, suggesting a belief that these items might still be valuable or necessary.
She expresses a mix of frustration and humor about finding a roll of film at the top of a box, indicating her awareness of the irony in her unpacking process.
Kim seems to value experiences and relationships over the task of unpacking, as evidenced by her prioritization of social activities and personal enjoyment over settling into her new space.
She questions the common advice about decluttering, hinting at a personal philosophy that items, no matter how long they've been unused, can still hold significance or utility.
Kim's interaction with her neighbors about discarded items suggests a perspective that what is considered "trash" can be seen as "treasure" by others, highlighting the subjective nature of value.
Despite her slow progress, Kim seems to take pride in her unique approach to unpacking, finding comfort in statistics that provide a comparative timeline for her own process.

I’m Moved, Finally — But Now Wondering, Is There a World Record for the Time It Takes Someone To Unpack?

I don’t want it to be me, necessarily, but there is that possibility

Before the kitchen was full. Photo by Kim McKinney

I moved and sold my house this week. The start of a new phase of life that excites me.

I swore I was going to be better this time. I’d been in my last house for 14 years. I moved to a 2-bedroom apartment (or one bedroom-one office, to be specific) this week. Prior to this move, I still had unpacked boxes from two moves ago.

I know people tell you that if you have not needed it in 14 years (plus), you simply don’t need it. Maybe that’s true, but maybe that’s just a myth spread by the people who unpack the day they move.

I went through most of those boxes before I moved. There were some things I needed. OK, I sway between whether I really need anything, and whether some of these gems I found were needs I had neglected. But there really was some cool stuff in those forgotten boxes.

Now, though, the boxes that made the cut are in my apartment. Not everything will stay. I know I still have too much stuff. But most of what is packed I do need.

I moved on Tuesday. I think I have unpacked two boxes since then. It is Saturday as I write this. Yes, perhaps instead of writing nonsense I should be unpacking boxes. But the first box in line had a roll of film in it at the top. That signifies to me it should have been decluttered before I moved. Ugh! Do I have to go through another box of junk before I get to the important stuff? Don’t tell me to put it to the side. It may never get looked at again.

I have made a few rooms “no box” zones. My bedroom and my living room, for example. I can live my life fine with these rooms clear. I can entertain guests. I can sleep. I can write.

Most of my boxes are in my kitchen. I got rid of all my kitchen furniture before I moved. Some boxes will have to live in the breakfast area before I get more storage. Apartment storage is not optimum and I really like kitchen gadgets.

The boxes extend through the whole kitchen and I have to shimmy to the sink and refrigerator and stove. None of my kitchenware is unpacked. I did find flatware (I started to write “silverware”, but I knew some of you would laugh. Like someone who cannot get boxes unpacked will polish silver!) That box is currently on the stove because I can’t open a drawer to put it in.

I bought cereal at the grocery store tonight. I thought that could work for supper. I got home and realized I don’t have bowls unpacked yet. In fact, I have no clue as to where they are. A handful of blueberries and a carton of yogurt made an awesome dinner.

I want to be unpacked, but not more than I wanted to go to the farmer’s market this morning. Not more than I wanted to get my internet going. Not more than I wanted to celebrate my friend’s birthday by taking her to lunch.

I haven’t even unpacked the final load from my car. I tried to pull a three drawer storage container out of my car today. It broke in the parking lot. I brought the drawers in and got rid of most of what had been stored in there, but recovered some perfectly great office supplies.

When I was going to take the mangled drawers to the dumpster I looked in my car and saw another drawer. I tried to clean it out while standing at the dumpster. Nope, not working. Too much in there to go though, most of it perfectly good. Tomorrow, maybe?

The neighbors have detected I am throwing away potential “good stuff”. I took a cooler out this morning that had held my freezer items. My friend who packed it told me the top of the cooler was starting to dry rot. I decided to just throw it away. A guy in the parking lot saw me and yelled “Are you throwing that away?” “Yes, it’s dry rotting.” “Can I have it?” “Sure!” One woman’s trash is another man’s treasure, I guess. He said it would be fine.

I am going to unpack. I am. I’m just a bit concerned with how long it is going to take.

But I suspect I am going to do it before most Americans. A 2016 survey by Duck Brands said the average American household took 182 days to unpack their last box when moving. Since they also said that the average move was 26 boxes, and I had many more, I believe I should get extra time.

Funny how a statistic can make us feel better about ourselves. I’m unpacking on the slow plan. Though I would like to find my bowls. Maybe tomorrow.

Kim McKinney doesn’t procrastinate about everything, but moving and housework are not the things at which she is her best. Maybe because she doesn’t want to be. Life is short.