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This year was… a lot. It was a lot. Not all of it was bad, as you can see in this earlier blog, but I don’t think anyone is sad to see 2020 go. As we welcome in the New Year and write up our resolutions, let’s really try to focus on what we’d like 2021 to bring. Whether you pray, meditate, or just send out good vibes– why not start with a little positivity?

I suggest an exercise: think of what you want next year to be. Healthy and safe would be number one for me. Maybe creative, productive, fun. Think of the family and friends you’d like to stay in contact with, even if it has to be online or over the phone. Everything you want the next year to give to you.

Perhaps this exercise yields nothing. Maybe you’re thinking to yourself, what is this, The Secret? Manifestation? What good is that phooey? And maybe you’re right. Maybe you are. But, what’s the harm in daydreaming? And more so, why can’t you work to make reality just a bit more like your daydreams?

I want next year to be safer and healthier for myself and those around me, so I’m diligent with my mask and social distancing. I want to be close to people I love, so I schedule time to talk in advance and activities we can do together even when we’re apart–hello Netflix Watch Party! I want to focus on my creativity so I try new things and run with them. Like writing a blog entry, or making up exercises. And for your goals, you can do the same.

So make your lists. Think of all the things that can bring you closer to the way you want things to be. Breathe deep. Take some time to yourself. Sleep well, eat well, stay hydrated. And gosh darn it, bring a coat with you– it’s cold!

Have a Happy New Year! May it be full of love and growth, and most of all: may it not be 2020.

The list of things that are absurdly stressful in life is infinite. Thinking of this list is itself on the list. In any other year, I’d put ‘Moving’ right up at the top there. In 2020… you know, there’s a few other things that have been going on. But if we’re looking at ‘Pandemic’ right at the top of the list, we know there’s a couple subcategories, and moving is definitely one of those.

There are plenty of things that can help though–case and point, hiring a moving company (and packing! And storage! We gotchu!). We work hard at keeping our Covid-19 procedures up to date, and you can check out what we’re up to in our emails and at www.bookstoremovers.com/covid-19-updates. The information below will also be available in our emails and updates, so don’t worry if you forget about it! 

Here are the things you can do to make sure you have a (more) stress-free move:

• Be sure to keep areas–especially high touch areas like doorknobs and handrails–cleaned and disinfected. This will protect both your crew and yourself. 
• Mask up!
• Stage your items prior to the move so that they’re focused in a smaller area and are easier to grab and move.
• Have hand soap, water, and paper towels on hand so that everyone can wash up periodically. Don’t forget to show your crew where these items are at the beginning of your move! 
• Practice social distancing with your crew. You can step outside if it’s warm enough. We suggest prioritizing one room for your crew to get started in, and once that room is clear you can wait in there until the walkthrough. 
• Limit the amount of people on location. A lot of people may offer to help with your move, but we always suggest you leave it to the professionals. In this climate, it is just safer in general.
• Open windows for more ventilation.

Overall, there’s not too much you have to do to make sure your move is performed as safely and efficiently as possible. Essentially: a stress-free move involves some prep and then a hands-free approach. Stay safe out there! 

In a year like 2020, it can be hard to feel thankful. Maybe things are rough right now, and maybe they haven’t been great for a while. We all feel that right now. It’s no real surprise. Not many of us have a gratitude journal to show for the last 8 months.

But even in darkness you can find things to be thankful for, whether you realize it or not. As we come up on an incredibly lowkey Thanksgiving that will see us without tons of guests or traveling, let’s look at what has gotten us through.

Essential Workers: If you’re an essential worker, you seriously deserve the world at this point— and I’m not just saying that being movers are essential. There are people literally putting their lives on the line not just to care for the sick or old, but also to stock grocery shelves and ring up toilet paper (if there is any). Seriously, there is no way to thank people enough for doing a difficult job is difficult times and doing their best to do it safely—masks, gloves, hand washing, sanitizer, the whole shebang.

The People You’re Quarantined With (Sometimes): Thank you for being here so I’m not just talking to myself. Please stop judging the amount of packages I receive.

Time: In quarantine, we struggle with too much time. We’re bored. We want this to be over. But we also have time to do those little things we love, like going back to our self care routines and investing time in our passions again. Maybe it’s not ideal, but it is a silver lining if you can let yourself get into it.

Friends and Family: We’re thankful for this every year, true, but isn’t it amazing to see the lengths at which people will go to stay in touch? The emails, phone calls, and Zoom sessions. Real life letters (what?!) and surprise care packages. If you’ve lost someone over this time, you may know this especially. Attending a video call funeral is terrible. I’ve not enjoyed it. But the family in town who have put these together and created some semblance of a celebration of life for your departed loved one are doing so much to make things more normal, and I can’t commend them enough.

Quarantine Food Trends and Netflix Binges: Remember this phase of quarantine? Let’s go back. Let’s pick a show for everyone to watch, binge it, and then make some kinda gross but really cute whipped coffee. Lift that collective consciousness with reality TV, sugar, and caffeine.

Video Games You Can Play With Family And Also Attack Them In: Get in that family game night and also secretly murder your family, you impostor you!

Whatever the holidays are to you, whatever 2020 has been, there’s always something to be thankful for. As always, we’re thankful for you, too. Remember to stay safe these holidays. Remember to give back and to shop local to support businesses that may need the extra help. Remember to be thankful. And have a Happy Thanksgiving!

If you have the misfortune of finding yourself living in a haunted house this Halloween, there are a few ways you can ease the suffering and really spark some joy. Here at Bookstore Movers we love to be helpful, so here’s our top 5 suggestions for dealing with uninvited spectral guests.