Saying Goodbye to Leiden: A Detailed Moving-Out Vlog

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The Pre-Move Preparations: Decluttering and Packing

Moving Out Preparation: Initial Steps and Emotional Reflections

Honestly, the prospect of moving filled me with a strange mix of dread and excitement. Three years in that Leiden apartment – a significant chunk of my life – was coming to an end. I'm a sentimental person, so I knew this wouldn't be just another move; it felt like closing a chapter. The apartment tour video I made earlier captures what it looked like before the chaos began, if you're curious. We'd already spent the previous month selling furniture, donating clothes and books—a surprisingly emotional process in itself. This kind of emotional process often makes you weigh whether the difficult things about moving abroad are worth it in the end.

Friday was D-day for tackling the clothes. My closets and cabinets loomed, overflowing. The sheer volume surprised me, even after the initial decluttering. I started sorting into piles: 'keep,' 'donate,' and the dreaded 'maybe' pile – items I wasn't sure I wanted to lug to South America. Packing felt strangely therapeutic; each item held a memory, a story, and letting go was bittersweet. The struggle to choose between two backpacks was a real highlight, a surprisingly tough decision that consumed way more time than expected.

By evening, exhaustion hit. I'd packed my work computer, but the backpack dilemma continued to plague me. I'd initially overestimated how much I could fit; I had to ruthlessly cull my South America packing list. Feeling a bit defeated, but ultimately content with my progress, I crawled into bed, dreaming of a well-rested Saturday. The next morning brought renewed energy. A donation run, furniture disassembly, and a strategic repacking of the smaller backpack (much better this time!) boosted my spirits considerably. I finally felt in control again. The sense of accomplishment was palpable.

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Moving Day: A whirlwind of activity and farewells

Moving Day Activities: Packing and Disassembling Furniture

Saturday dawned with a renewed sense of purpose. The previous day's exhaustion had been replaced by a focused energy. First, a donation run – clearing out those 'donate' piles felt incredibly liberating. Then, the serious work began: disassembling furniture. It wasn't glamorous, but the satisfying *click* of each screw loosening was strangely addictive. Each piece of furniture, once a part of our daily lives, was now carefully dismantled and prepared for its next destination – the recycling center, mostly. We kept only our favorite table; sentimental attachment has its limits, even in the face of a looming move!

The apartment's transformation was remarkable. From overflowing closets and cabinets to neat stacks of boxes – the change was palpable. Each empty space, once filled with belongings, was a testament to our progress. It was oddly satisfying to see the fruits of our labor. That feeling of accomplishment? It was immensely gratifying after the initial overwhelming sense of chaos.

Farewell and Transition: Saying Goodbye to Leiden

Saying goodbye to our Leiden apartment felt bittersweet. Three years of memories were packed into boxes, each item a tiny snapshot of our lives there. The final walk through the now-empty space was strangely quiet; the echoes of laughter and conversation seemed to linger, even as the removal van rumbled away.

That evening, we celebrated with a farewell dinner with friends, a lovely blend of sentimentality and good cheer. Sharing stories and laughter with those who had shared a significant part of our Leiden journey made the transition a little less jarring. It felt like a proper send-off, a closing of the chapter in a warm and convivial manner.

The next day, moving day itself, was a blur of activity. Handing over the keys felt surreal, like a final act in a long play. But even amidst the exhaustion, there was a sense of liberation. The weight of packing and cleaning was lifted, replaced by the exciting anticipation of our next adventure.

We ended up at Ru's parents' home in Brabant, a temporary haven before our South American journey. It was comforting, familiar, and a perfect base to regroup and prepare for the next stage. Even though saying goodbye to Leiden was emotional, the transition felt surprisingly smooth, thanks to the support of friends, family, and the sheer relief of a job well done.

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FAQ

What was the most challenging aspect of the moving process?

The most challenging part was decluttering and deciding what to keep, donate, or discard, especially with clothing and deciding which backpack to bring to South America.

How did the author manage the emotional aspect of moving out of an apartment they lived in for three years?

The author acknowledged the sentimental attachment to the apartment and the emotional process of letting go. They coped by taking time to reflect on memories associated with belongings, celebrating with friends, and focusing on the excitement of their upcoming adventure.