I’ve only just managed to load my car with a full, penultimate load of stuff (and a fucking busted tyre still in the back lol).

All the little jars of spices, the oils and vinegars, random pantry odds and ends, the unbelievable amount of stuff in the bathroom, other stray items like a random desk lamp and bits in various containers just dumped into a box… couch accoutrements…

Had a shower in the old place, thankfully had the foresight to leave a change of clothes out, finally eating my only real meal for the day. I’m going to go straight to the other place, slap a sheet on the mattress and call it a night.

Chuck a sickie tomorrow, start moving stuff up, get tyre organised, clean old place with friend…

I’m seriously laughing at how much I underestimated this. Next time I’ll start packing WAY earlier and take more time off!!

There’s one near me too that’s got decent reviews, definitely one of the options I’ll call tomorrow

Top tier practical and logical advice. Thanks CEO. Found a few good ones close to home/work. Can’t do any online bookings til Wed but I’ve narrowed down three to call tomorrow first thing at 8am and put in a reminder on my phone. Done.

Haven’t found a mechanic for this car yet (used to use my old work’s one when I was working there, it’s too far). Thanks for the rec. Do you think they’ll be able to have a quick squizz at the undercarriage to let me know if there’s been any additional damage? I’m planning on a long drive over the holidays…

Hahahahahahahahahaha fuck me, of course I had to be careless and hit a kerb so hard I got a flat tyre on top of everything else… perfect timing…

Luckily roadside assist came very quickly but now I need to get a new tyre within 2 days 😭 anyone have tips on how to find a good tyre shop? I have no frigging idea. Need it done pretty quickly…

Yep, I could’ve had a heart attack from the stress when moving in, watching my friends try to lug this heavy-arse entertainment unit up 2 flights of stairs. Nearly slipped out of their hands, would’ve smashed their foot big time…

This is my first time using pros, absolutely using them for the move out. Worth every cent. Some things are 100% worth paying for. Saves time, stress, damage, and the likelihood of injury!!

Let me add to the pile of outrage at your dad for saying such a horribly hurtful and useless comment.

I want to write a whole essay to you because I have a similar family dynamic (very accomplished eldest bro who seems to be doing fine with a very fast paced life) - and I certainly didn’t get taken seriously for much of my early adulthood

I should go pack though. But all I can say is… it does get better, with age and experience their opinions matter less, and life becomes more about keeping yourself afoat the way that works best for you.

For comparison, said wildly successful older bro had massive setback later in life that’s been going on for years now. And he is far worse equipped to handle it mentally and emotionally because his life has always been superlative and successful. He had never really experienced failure before. It’s a huge learning curve later on in life. So take that for what it’s worth…

Mate, that’s definitely a lot to wear on your own. It’s a very delicate situation to navigate. I have absolutely nothing useful to add except that you’re an incredibly awesome human and as everyone else has said do talk to others about it (vent here, to a friend, a shrink…) You shouldn’t have to go through this alone. I hope this difficult time will eventually (even if painfully at first) bring forward some vulnerability and openness from all parties. Big hugs 🫂

God bless chilled out movers. Everything went flawlessly and they were such nice guys yet efficient and professional. The perfect thing for one of life’s most stressful times.

One more item gone on FBM, another one pending… LL has finally emailed to say how she wants the keys dropped off - thankfully the agency’s only a 15 min drive off peak from work, I could nip over during lunch and come back.

Need to catch my breath a little and eat something… then time for more ferocious packing and loading shit into my car.

Used airtasker for the first time today. Damn this is useful and convenient! Listed The Couch of Doom to be removed for a pretty reasonable price and 4 offers within 45 minutes. Now booked in to be taken tonight by someone who seems really lovely and will actually use it too and not just take it to the tip. Sure the connection fee is pricey but the stress relief is monumental…

I’ve put together everything that the movers need to take away now - just need to give the fridge and tv console a wipe down. Let’s hope to fuck that they can actually carry everything up to the new place with its narrow staircase, I will be fucked if they can’t fit it in (I guess airtasker to the rescue again to take stuff off the footpath asap 😂)

How have I still not finished packing?! Although at least the remainder is all sorts of bitsy things in various containers. Ran outta packing tape, too…

Gonna have a hard stop for the night. Though I’ve had to jump out of bed after realising i forgot to drain and disconnect the washing machine. Hopefully it’ll be dry enough by 10am! Goodnight everyone.

Next week is the finale, yes. 8 weeks feels like it’s flown by!

It’ll be a different kind of peace for sure… New digs are a lot more hectic and less calm. Main thing is I can settle in and focus on next steps without dealing with current LL’s shittiness or house hunting

I’m definitely motivated to get to the end of this whole thing

I don’t know what it was about this week’s episode of Fisk but it was one of the best in the whole two seasons. Fantastic penultimate episode. I’ll miss it after next week!

In an ideal world I would’ve spent a bit more time looking for nicer places, and maybe planned to cull over a longer period and sold more stuff online… but this is also OK! I get to focus on my uni stuff a lot sooner.

I would aboslutely not have gotten this far without the help of friends, though.

Alright, I’m getting there. Spent the whole day carefully going through every last drawer and cupboard for stuff to donate. No time for fb marketplace although I could’ve made some decent coin off some of these - especially a couple of vintage bakeware items and an almost new vintage Corningware dish. I got em all for free so some op shop will benefit instead.

Two carloads later, between those and the remaining plants/pots, and the big shit that won’t fit in the bin, and pillows/towels for the RSPCA - and the tables sold on FBM - that’s a lotta crap gone. Gotta love these Honda hatchbacks with Tardis-like volume and the magic seats 😀

Now to pack the remaining stuff for the movers to take tomorrow, mainly the kitchen stuff. The end is in sight…!

Yes, it’s just a temporary pad till I finish my degree (which is the main thing keeping me in Melbourne atm).

Packing is balls. The good thing is, the next move (possibly putting everything into storage) will be a lot easier!

Not yet, I’m handing back the keys on Wednesday. Bond request will be initiated the very second the keys leave my hand

Aw thanks! Nah, it’s all good, I got paid on Friday and can certainly stump up for a pizza for myself without breaking the bank 😊

I will save on some things at this unit as the rent is 35/week less than what I’m currently paying, water is included, and there is no gas. Some of that will have to go to laundromat costs (drying), but overall I will be financially OK. Plus I have my bond coming back in a little over two weeks…

Yeah it is getting a little better now. Still noticeable but I hope that it clears soon. It might not officially be summer but it’s certainly feeling like it now!