We are in our rental place, and the cleaners have gone through our condo until it sparkles.
The move went quite smoothly, seeing that DH and I have not moved in 13 years and had forgotten what a horrendous job it is and were not truly prepared for the discomfort and the shock. It’s rather like childbirth in that way.
We are learning our lessons, and hopefully when we move (for the last time ever!) into the laneway, we can use those to ease us into our new life and our new lifestyle.
Lesson One: We have too much stuff. I know, I know, we have been tossing and donating things for months. But we brought too much stuff with us — even after stopping at the storage space to drop things off en route. Since the rental is approximately the size of the laneway, it’s plain we have been delusional about how much we can keep.
There is nothing like trying to stuff two full bedroom closets and one hallway closet into one bedroom closet to make you realize that you have been holding on to things that do not fit, do not flatter, and you will never wear/use again. Seriously, give it up. As we speak bags are being prepared to take to Sally Ann (after we dropped a half-van-full of stuff there yesterday).
We are committed to our new lifestyle — but the transition is going to take some time and a lot of effort. And it’s also plain that we will have to rid ouselves of most of the stuff in the storage space if we are ever going to be truly free of our belongings.
The Lady Who Lives Down the Lane 
Welcome to what will be a new way of life. I know some folks are masters at keeping the clutter from accumulating but I’m not naturally one of those types and I suspect it will be a while before either of us attain that status. When I look back, we’ve done a LOT of purging and it’s a process that takes a long time and a lot of energy. It’s so satisfying, just know that it takes a while to feel like you’re really getting somewhere and even then it requires constant work.
It’s going to be so fun to watch your new home progress!