I'm not going to lie, one of the things I'm not looking forward to about moving is the dreaded end-of-lease clean-up. It's not like my place is a hideous pigsty or anything, but I've been here for almost eight years and the thought of getting it all back to as-new is not sounding like the funnest way to spend my last few days in Sydney.

The truth is, I'll probably hire professional cleaners to do the dirty work for me but that hasn't stopped me collating some of the best cleaning hacks for your home I could find. You can thank me later!

• Instead of scrubbing, spray cooking spray on your glass shower door and/or walls. Give it about five minutes and wash it off with soapy water and dry it. The oil in cooking spray will dissolve the soap buildup and lime deposits.

• Rub a lemon over taps and faucets in the bathroom and kitchen to remove stains.

• Remember this homies: oil attracts oil. Next time your bacon breakfast makes a mess of the stove, add a few drops of vegetable oil to paper towel, then wipe the greasy surface and watch the oil disappear!

• Carpet stain driving you crazy? Spray stain with a mixture of two parts water with one part vinegar. Lay a damp rag over the spot, then press a hot iron - set on the steam setting - on the rag for about 30 seconds. You might have to repeat if the stain is really dark or stubborn but this will work wonderfully to remove most common food stains and dirt from your carpet.

• A plastic bag filled with vinegar around your shower head will get rid of stubborn stains.

• Greasy oven? Fill a bowl with 1/2 cup of ammonia into a COMPLETELY COLD oven. The fumes will work their magic overnight. Just wipe clean the next day.

• Cover any grease stains on the wall with white chalk, wait a few minutes and then wipe the chalk away with a damp cloth. 

• When's the last time you cleaned the tracks on your sliding windows and doors? Don't worry, I can't remember either. To clean, dip a cotton tip in white vinegar and wipe out the grime. Repeat with a clean cotton tip and then run a clean paper towel along the track too.

• WD40 is a apparently a great way to remove scuff stains on the floor

• Bathtub rings can be removed by rubbing them using salt and a cut grapefruit: Cut a grapefruit in half and sprinkle it (and the bath) with salt. Now use the fruit as a scrubber and those rings will fade away.

Image via @domayne_australia Instagram

It's been a long cold winter in Sydney so not only am I looking forward to summer, I'm also looking forward to experiencing my first Queensland summer. Adding to my excitement is that, for the first time, I have a proper backyard to furnish. That's right, grass and all!

So obviously I was especially keen to head out this week on a chilly Sydney evening to get a taste of what the warmer months have on offer at the Domayne Summer 15 launch.

I came away full of ideas for our alfresco area from large lounge and dining furniture to cute accessories and furnishings. Far from the days when your choice for the backyard was limited to a plastic table chairs or a chunky timber setting, this season's choices are sleek, modern and there's something suited to every budget and taste.

Colour is definitely in this summer and although my boyfriend and I prefer a neutral palette, I'm sure we'll manage to inject some brights through soft furnishings and accessories like cushions and serving ware.

Yes that's a cronut on top of coconut!

Domayne's Pontoon lounge setting is priced from $999. These two seaters with one arm rest retail for $2199 each.

Pontoon rectangular dining table, $2199 and; Harbour dining chairs $349 each

Today marks day four of my health kick - the goal is to lose 5kg by the time I head north in a couple of months time. My boyfriend is also trying to be more conscious of what he's eating and so, to support each other, we've both downloaded an app that helps keep track of your daily calorie intake.



All good in theory right? But the truth is we both just really love food. We love trying out new restaurants and bars, comparing our favourite dishes from place to place (him: stuffed zucchini flowers; me: anything involving haloumi) and getting a healthy dose of food envy when the other one orders something that we wish we had chosen ourselves.

So, understandably, counting calories is kind of difficult for both of us. But given that we are soon to be the proud custodians of a backyard pool, we both thought it was about time we shed those extra winter kilos.

And while I have no doubt we'll both reach our respective goals well in time for cozzie weather, I know part of our motivation (well mine at least) is a deliciously decadent reward meal on the other end. After all, according to an article I read yesterday on Elite Daily, couples who eat together stay together.

"When you’re eating together, you’re actually conversing," dating expert Ashley Fern says. "You aren’t watching TV, your head isn’t buried in your phone — instead you are 100 percent focused on your partner and your meal. While other people rush through meals, you and your SO drag them out for as long as possible."

"You may overindulge from time to time, but there’s no shame in your game," she writes. "In fact, your partner is right there alongside you, inhaling slice after slice of Domino’s. The best part of it is you hit your limit at the same time, forcing the both of you to pick up right where you left off at the gym."

Aaahhh... the gym. While we've never actually exercised together there is also good evidence to say working out with your SO can have some serious benefits.

"Lab studies show that after jointly participating in an exciting physical challenge or activity, couples report feeling more satisfied with their relationships and more in love with their partner," psychologist Theresa E. DiDonato writes on Psychology Today.

I'm sure this is what all couple who work out together do!

"Another long-standing concept in social psychology is that the mere presence of someone else affects your ability to do an activity," says Theresa. "Even if you already feel competent doing a particular exercise, bringing along your romantic partner may be a fantastic way to boost your energy output. Your partner’s presence will improve your speed, without you necessarily being aware of their influence."

So basically bring on the tacos.... but don't forget the treadmill.

I don't think I have ever felt as emotionally exhausted as I do right now. Don't get me wrong, things with my boyfriend are going great and we can't wait until we get to wake up next to each other every morning. But, in a way, it's that "can't wait" feeling that is what's so exhausting.



In the past couple of weeks, I've officially broken the news of my move to a large number of friends and family. My immediate family and close friends already knew but it wasn't until last week that I officially told my bosses at work and made an announcement on Facebook to my wider circle of friends (because nothing's official until it's on Facebook, right?).

To tell you the truth, thinking and talking about "the move" constantly for the past couple of weeks has been almost too much to handle... even I'm bored by talking about it now and last night I could barely even string two words together when my boyfriend called to say goodnight. I just want to be up there and settled in our new life together without the hassles of actually packing up my apartment and starting in a new job.

"It's easy to underestimate the emotional impact of this peak time in your life redesign," writes Caroline Cameron in her book The Great Life Redesign.

"Perhaps the busiest phase of a redesign, the last month or so is a whirlwind of final arrangements, last times and farewells. It's also a time of mixed emotions. Sadness and anxiety, as you let go of all that's familiar, go head to head with excitement and anticipation as you move towards your dream life.

"Sometimes bewildering and emotionally draining, how you manage this time will have a big impact on how easily you transition to your new life."

But could my mental exhaustion also be a sign of anxiety about packing up and heading north? Apparently yes.

"Anxiety is extremely physically and mentally draining," says Ryan Rivera from The Calm Clinic. "It actually shuts down some parts of your body and brain in an effort to save energy for other parts of your brain, and it excites your muscles so much that over time your muscles become completely drained of energy, ultimately causing you to experience considerable fatigue."

Regardless of what's causing my fatigue, Caroline says high highs and low lows are all part of saying goodbye to one chapter of your life and starting another, but that caring for yourself through all of them is vital.

Her advice?

• Time out and me time are daily must-dos: "Whether it's simply stopping for a cup of tea, kicking a footy around the backyard with the kids, going for a walk and getting plenty of sleep, simple care routines will keep you physically and emotionally fit"

• Acknowledge what you've achieved each day: "When there's a lot to do, it's tempting to move quickly on to the next task. Celebrate every achievement to maintain momentum and confidence."

• Ask each other "how are you feeling?": "This lets your partner know whether you need high-fives for getting something finished or a hug when you're feeling sad or overwhelmed."

Summer is the perfect time for making the most of the great outdoors. Longer days, warm weather and, of course, summer holidays make it almost mandatory to spend plenty of time outside.

And with my impending move north I am more excited than ever to create the perfect outdoor living space.



The good news is there’s no need to leave home to enjoy the best Mother Nature has to offer as your backyard can be the perfect summer playground for entertaining family and friends, watching the kids enjoy the holidays or simply kicking back with a good book and a refreshing summer cocktail.

The “backyard room” is becoming an increasingly important part of Aussie homes.

As the weather warms up our living and dining moves outside and, as a result, designs and landscaping have become more and more sophisticated with many spaces now integrating features such as fireplaces, outdoor kitchens and edible gardens.

“The outdoor room is the most versatile room in the house,” says landscaper Jason Hodges. “Not only can an outdoor room increase the value of your home, but the health benefits of spending time outdoors are undeniable. The backyard is quickly taking over as the favourite gathering space for cooking, entertaining, relaxing and spending time with loved ones.”

With Spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get your outdoor space in order and ready for the family to enjoy during the warmer months.



“The beauty of the outdoor family room is that it can be anything you want it to be; you are only limited by your imagination,” says Jason. “Whatever size outdoor space you have, there are countless ways to create an exceptional room to entertain, relax and spend time with family.”

Furniture

Paramount to any outdoor living space is the right furniture. However deciding what function you want your outdoor area to have is necessary before any purchase.

Jumping in and buying that 12-seater dining setting is no good is you prefer lounging around the pool and only have a big family gathering once or twice per year.

“Having the right outdoor furniture makes dining outdoors simple, easy and stylish,” says Amanda Grant from Ikea. “Dining furniture is great for lunches and dinners, while low seating is wonderful for cocktails and tapas.”

If kicking back in the sun is more your style, lounges and deep seaters should be on your shopping list.



“Choose pieces that encourage togetherness,” says Guy March from Cosh Living. “An outdoor family room with seating facing each other will create an environment for conversation and interactivity to thrive.”

If you have a smaller space that needs to serve several functions, consider furniture that can serve more than one purpose such as a timber storage bench that would work as seating or a low table. Fold-up chairs are another popular option if you don’t need permanent seating outside.

“Items that are multifunctional, flexible and can be easily moved around to create an alternative setting are very popular with families,” says Guy.

Materials

“Just as a home has walls, ceilings and a floor, an outdoor room should be protected from the elements,” says Boral’s David Bird.

“This means constructing walls and a roof to shield against the wind and rain in winter, and being mindful of shade sources for summer months.”

Some of the more popular options for constructing outdoor spaces are paving (for flooring), stone and timber.

Jason, who is an ambassador for paving company Adbri Masonry, says pavers can set the theme for the whole space, determining the look, feel, colour palette of your outdoor room.

“Pavers can create a big impact in a small area,” he says. “Coloured concrete pavers, for example, can completely transform the look and feel of any space.”



If you have a timber deck, consider creating a unified look by using timber in other parts of your outdoor space.

“Timber can also be used for screening to create separate spaces or for added privacy,” says Clinton Skeoch from Boral’s timber division. "Timber screening allows the light through to maintain the connection to natural surroundings.”

Stone is another good option and complements the natural environment.

“Boral’s range of cultured stone is available in a variety of shapes, colours and textures and looks great teamed with brick, timber and glass,” says David.

Fire up

Once the basics of your outdoor space are all sorted, it’s time to add some character with features such as fireplaces, outdoor kitchens and integrated audio systems.

A fireplace will add warmth and ambience to the outdoor room as well as creating a focal point thanks to its large-scale presence.

“Not only will a feature fireplace make a huge statement in the outdoor family room, it also ensures you can make the most of the space by using it all year round,” says Jason.

“If you’re on a budget, try Adbri’s miniwall blocks for a fire pit project. They don’t use any glue and are concrete, making them great for enclosing fire pits.”

Hot options

Outdoor kitchens are also gaining popularity, thanks in part to television renovating shows.



If space is an issue, many manufacturers offer outdoor kitchens in modular units so you can customise inclusions to suit your space.

Look for units made with high quality materials such as granite, porcelain-coated steel, stainless steel and chrome, to withstand frequent use and outdoor temperatures.

Wired for sound

If you love music, integrated speakers are another must for your outdoor space.

There are lots of products on the market now that will wirelessly connect outdoor speakers with your computer, tablet, phone or iPod streaming music or the radio direct from your device so you can listen to the cricket in full stereo from the pool deck.

For real music lovers, TruAudio’s SubTerrain Subwoofer is a unit installed into the ground with a small mushroom-shaped tube and speaker that is left exposed so audio is dispersed throughout the garden. The system is available in Australia through Advance Audio and is priced from $1995.

When I decided to move interstate to be with my boyfriend full time, I knew it would mean transitioning a whole heap of things in my life as I know it.



Instead of living 20 minutes down the motorway, Mum and Dad will be an hour-long flight away. Instead of seeing one of my best friends in the office every day, our catch ups will be over Skype, email and old-fashioned phone calls. Instead of looking over my back fence at the Harbour Bridge, I'll be watching the Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks on TV like the rest of the world.

These are things that will certainly be different to what I'm used to but they are also adjustments I'm more than willing to make if it means starting a new life in a new city with my boyfriend.

One thing that I was hoping would remain a constant was my job. My manager was hoping the company would approve her plan to keep me in my current role but have me working from an interstate office. Unfortunately the powers that be disagreed and last week I handed in my notice.

I love my job and the people I work with make coming into the office more fun that I think it's supposed to be! But I always knew there was a chance my manager's plan wouldn't come to fruition.

What I wasn't expecting though was the strange feeling I had pressing send on my resignation email. It wasn't that all of a sudden the whole move felt real, it was more a realisation that this is the first of many 'goodbyes' I'm going to be saying over the next couple of months.

I'm not great at goodbyes (not ideal for someone in a long distance relationship!) and I'm not just talking about the hard ones. Of course I don't like dropping my boyfriend off at the airport after a visit but - and I'm not proud of this - I'm also the person who'll slip out of a party without saying goodbye to anyone except the host because... well, I'm not really sure why.

"From the sublime to the mundane, the simple to the complicated, farewells are an inevitable part of life," says psychotherapist Diane Barth on Psychology Today. "They can be incredibly painful—but they don’t have to be devastating. And here’s something important to know: If you’re having a hard time with any kind of goodbye, you’re not alone."


When we get to the airport drop off area, my boyfriend always says "it's not goodbye, it's see you later" which is, of course, a great way to look at it. Hopefully as I say "see you later" more and more often over the next couple of months to friends, family and colleagues I'll be able to channel his positive attitude.

But if not, Diane has some tips to make goodbyes - no matter how big or small - a little easier.

• "Recognise that mixed feelings are normal," she says. "The tricky thing is to find a way to make space for all of these conflicting and sometimes contradictory feelings. But the more you do open yourself up to the different emotions, the more you will be able to process the more painful ones."

• "Feeling sad about leaving one situation, or anxious about moving into another, does not necessarily mean that you have made the wrong decision," says Diane. "Most of us have these feelings about even the best possible moves in our lives. In fact, the time that I worry about a possible problem is usually when a client tells me about an upcoming change without talking about some of the conflicts about it."

• "Try to put all of your confusing feelings into words. Talk to a friend or a relative, but set the stage first, so that they don't get worried that you have either gone off the deep end or (more likely) made the wrong decision."
• "Whether you are leaving a house or neighbourhood, a school or university, a job or a relationship, try to give yourself a little time to reflect on both the good and bad aspects of the experience," she says. "Don't try to pack in everything you have not done, or everything you meant to do in the short time you have left. And try not to turn it into an all-bad experience in your mind, something you are eager to get away from because it has been nothing but negative. This may make it easier to justify leaving in the short term, but will have problematic consequences down the line."

There's no doubt that social media is the perfect place to while away a few hours. Who hasn’t found themselves on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest into the wee hours, wondering where the time has gone?



But instead of posting cat videos, commenting on photos of old school friends’ kids or accidentally liking an ex-boyfriend’s profile picture, design buffs are turning to these channels to inspire and be inspired.

A simple hashtag search for interiors or interior design turns up literally hundreds of thousands of results — ranging from professional stylists showcasing their latest work to brands promoting looks and products to design amateurs just doing their thing.

We asked three design professionals how they use social media and get their tips for the best places to look for inspiration on your phone, laptop or tablet.

The designer: Lisa T, Lisa T for Target, iamlisat.com

“I’m a social media addict (if you know of a rehab for people like me, inbox me). Can you believe, I actually set my alarm 40 minutes earlier than I need to because I have to check Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest every morning? Waking up to comments and regrams on my Lisa T for Target account makes my morning, and scrolling through my feed inspires me for the day.

Lisa T's Instagram page

“In terms of the types of things I post, I love to make people smile, feel good, be inspired and be part of something. My posts are a combination of product, sayings, fashion and lifestyle. It shows who I am and what inspires my designs.

“I am inspired daily by how many people style my products and the time they take to post their shots. Our whole team gets such a kick out of reading the comments and seeing the #shelfies.

“Tips …. leave yourself time. Pinterest is excellent for organising ideas into folders sorted by themes. I like to file by topics but many pinners file by colour. I have to confess I’m not the most organised person, so Pinterest is an excellent tool to file inspiration.

“Besides my kids’ and friends’ Instagram, I have no particular loyalty to any pages but there are some Insta accounts that I find myself continuously “liking”: @targetaus; @dotandpop; @bigshots; @interiorsaddict: @weinspirelux; @lisamessenger; @theinteriorqueen; @thecoolhunter; @thegoodquote; @Iquitsugar, and; @beautaplin is my latest crush — incredible poetry about life and love.

“One of the other tools I love is Polyvore.com, which is excellent for mood boards. Each item is linked to a site where you can buy it. It also allows you to see other people’s mood boards, making for inspired choices in colour combinations and finishes.”

The blogger: Jen Bishop, Interiors Addict, theinteriorsaddict.com

“I use all the major social media channels but I have the most followers and engagement on Instagram and it’s my favourite to spend time on. My social media strategy is two fold: to drive traffic to my blog, and to create and maintain a conversation with my followers and readers so they get to know me. I also hope my posts inspire people to create a stylish home on any budget which is personal and meaningful to them.

“I think the more visual channels such as Instagram and Pinterest are the best for interiors inspiration. The great thing about Pinterest is that it’s pretty self explanatory and easy to use. Be careful though, you can end up losing hours and days to it.

“If you’re looking for inspiring accounts to follow, a great cheat is to go to accounts you already love following and see who they follow. It’s likely they’ll be into the same stuff you are.

“Also, see if your favourite brands have social media accounts. you can usually find them linked to from their websites.

“On Instagram, some of my readers are my favourite accounts to follow.

“Check out our #7vignettes on Instagram for some stunning examples of amateur stylists and photographers producing incredible work.”

The brand: Temple and Webster, Victoria Baker, Editor, templeandwebster.com.au

“We use Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube but the content we post is slightly different for each of them because they all have different audiences.

“We have the highest number of followers on Facebook but there is more reach and engagement on Instagram and I think that’s because it’s a really visual tool. We’re in a very visual business so sites like Instagram and Pinterest work particularly well for us.



“As we don’t have a bricks and mortar store to meet our customers, tell them about our products and get their feedback, our social media conversation is really important. For us it’s about inspiration and telling a story. Social media is a really powerful way to get people to engage with our brand.“ I think the best social media tools for finding inspiration are definitely Instagram and Pinterest — you can lose hours on either one. Delve as deep as you can by looking at who you’re following and then looking who they follow, and who those people follow and so on. You can uncover some really cool accounts that way that you might not have seen ordinarily.

“On Instagram, I follow local stylists such as Megan Morton (@megan_morton), Sibella Court (@sibellacourt) and Kara Rosenlund (@kararosenlund). I also follow plenty of international bloggers such as Emily Henerson (@em_henderson), Design Sponge (@designsponge), Apartment Therapy (@apartmenttherapy), and Claire Lloyd on Pinterest (pinterest.com/clairelloyd58/).”

The rise of the shelfie

Too shy for a selfie but have an impressive shelf at home that shows off your styling prowess? Why not try a shelfie instead?



Urban Dictionary defines the shelfie as “a picture or portrait of your bookshelf — showcasing literature in all its glory”.

But design afficiandos have taken things one step further, using the shelfie hashtag to display vignettes of co-ordinated shelves of all shapes and sizes.

A quick search on Instagram and Pinterest using the shelfie hashtag brings up thousands of photos — Instagram alone has more than 210,000 images.

“Creating something beautiful is compelling ... it’s meditation of sorts,” says interior stylist Hilary Robertson.

“Even if nothing else in your room pleases you, you can transform one surface to your own satisfaction.”

First published Home, The Daily Telegraph 8 August 2015

In just over nine weeks, I'll be setting up home in a completely new city. It's a slightly daunting thought that I'll know next to no-one and have to consult that trusty companion Google Maps on a daily basis until I get my bearings.

But it's also one of the most exciting adventures I've ever undertaken. I get to start fresh in a new place, meet new people, and make a whole set of new memories with my boyfriend in our new home.



I know there'll be days when the excitement is overtaken with a healthy dose of homesickness and an overwhelming feeling of 'what am I doing here?' but I'm fully aware this is completely expected and will pass quickly once I remember the real reason I packed up and shifted states in the first place.

Hopefully I'll be able to settle into an office job quite quickly so I can start building my own network of friends but in the meantime I'll be trying to throw myself into every opportunity I can to try new things and meet new people.

I found some great tips on Lifehacker this week for settling in to a new city - a few of which I'll definitely be trying once I land in my home.

Get the lay of the land

"If you want to grab a cup of coffee or some lunch, hit up sites like Google Maps or Yelp and look at reviews of nearby spots," says Whitson Gordon from Lifehacker who moved across the US to settle in California. "Of course, there’s no substitution for trying something out, so don’t be afraid to hop around, either."



As it happens, I do know of a couple of childhood friends who are now settled in Brisbane so I plan to get in touch once I'm up there and pick their brains about their favourite places to eat, drink and just hang out.

But being the classic, organised Type A that I am, I love the idea of this tip from Lifehacker that will keep all my handy info and tips in one handy place: "A really great (and geeky) way to compile this kind of advice is to create a Google Doc (or Google Map) and invite the few people you know to collaborate on it. If you can get one person to get the ball rolling, you can probably get a lot of people to join in, adding their favourite places to eat and things to do in town."

Make new friends

I'm guessing in the immediate aftermath of the move, my boyfriend's friends will be my friends. But looking further forward, I'm really keen to establish my own network too. The office is the obvious place to do this but I'm really going to make an effort to get involved in some other classes and activities to get me out and about.

"Apart from your own hobbies, I can’t recommend getting involved with community service and other local organisations enough," says Whitson. "That may make you roll your eyes, but it’s something you don’t need any former experience to get involved in, everyone’s always super friendly, and at the very least, you’ll get some free DIY skills out of it. Anything that gets you out and social is going to make you feel better than sitting at home doing nothing, so you’ve got nothing to lose by getting out there."

Don't stress about it

I have no misconceptions that the whole moving cities thing might not be as plain sailing as I'm hoping it will be but the best advice I've read online is not to worry about it too much. It may take some time but I know settling in to my new home will unfold naturally and I will eventually slip into a routine. As with everything, the more positive an attitude I have, the more likely it is that good things will happen.

Yesterday I had some not-so-great news. It wasn't anything life changing but basically it was unexpected and throws up a whole heap of variables that now need to be seriously considered at a time when I'm also dealing with moving interstate.

All I wanted was a hug from my boyfriend and for him to tell me it was all going to be OK. He certainly did the latter but the hug part is kind of difficult from almost 1000km away.

"Not having someone that you care about close to you, especially when you might need them for emotional support (or a hug!) can be tough," says website reachout.com.

"If you are feeling this way, you might ask for a hug from another friend or family member. Even though it’s not the same, it can sometimes be a good substitute until next time you meet up."

It might sound stupidly obvious but dealing with the actual physical distance that a long distance relationship imposes is one of the biggest challenges of being apart from your loved one for long periods of time.

Writer and long distance relationship survivor Pixie Casey says no matter how long you've been doing the long distance thing, there'll still be those tough days.

"There will be days when dealing with all of this is easy: you’ll both be busy, you’ll have a sweet phone call, and you’ll feel good about things," she writes for Rookie.

"And then there will be the hard days when you need a hug, when the phone call ends in tears, or when you simply doubt what you’re doing. Be prepared to be lonely, to crave physical contact, to get frustrated that things can’t be easier, and to miss someone more than you’ve ever missed anything in your life."

But all of this doesn't necessarily mean on those tough days (like yesterday) you should sit around feeling sorry for yourself. One of the best cures for absolutely anything is a laugh and one of the things I love the most about my boyfriend is he can make me smile even if I'm in the world's worst mood (and believe me, my moods can be pretty bad).



Last night he called me on Face Time and we chatted, laughed and pulled silly faces - it made me feel better instantly.

I think the fact we're leading independent lives for now is actually making us stronger because we both know how to exist both with and without the other.

"That is one of the benefits of an LDR: you can take the time to figure yourself out, as can your partner, and if the world brings you back to the same spot and you evolve together, then you’re both better for it," says Pixie.

Making a big life decision can be a tiring process. Weighing up all the pros and cons, going over possible scenarios in your mind and then committing to one can be so mentally draining that once you've finally made up your mind, it's like you never want to think about it again.



That's exactly how I feel. A few months back, I decided to consider moving interstate to be with my boyfriend. That's right - just to think about it. I had no timeline and things were kind of open-ended. Was it even the right decision for us? Did he actually want me to move? How would I cope being away from family and friends? What would happen with my job? These were all questions I considered on an almost-daily basis.

Then about a month ago - after what seemed like endless weeks of 'what if' scenarios - we both decided it was time to commit to a firmer course of action. I picked a date and from that moment my focus has been solely on making it all happen.

My family and friends know when I'm leaving and last week, when a lease application for our new home was approved, I spoke to my boss about a possible transfer. It all feels so real now and it's about time.

Since my boyfriend and I started dating eight months ago, this move has been on my mind. After spending some time in Sydney for work, a move back north for him was always on the cards. I knew if I wanted the relationship to continue that it would require a move from me too so while the final decision was only made a month ago, it feels as though it's been an awfully long time coming.

The trouble is that now my decision has been made and it's all out in the open, I'm finding it hard to stay focused here when all I can think about is being there. The thought of getting up every day and carrying on with a life that doesn't even feel like my own anymore is difficult when all I really want to be doing is packing up my apartment and setting off for my new life up north.

Apparently it's all to be expected and my anxiety to just get over the finish line so to speak could be a sign of stress. But, according to research, there are a couple of little ways I can better enjoy the ride and even if you're not facing a big life transition, I'm sure these little snippets of advice will prove helpful.

Focus on today

Long term goals are important, but focusing solely on these can take the wind out of your sails today. If I think about what I have to do right now in order to meet my future goals, I think I'll be a lot more comfortable in the meantime. Instead of just wishing I was already in Queensland, I'm going to focus on small goals such as packing three boxes by the end of the week.

Take some time out

Apparently there's such a thing as too much planning! "When you make a bunch of big plans for the future, you might find your mind drawn a little too far ahead of you," says the self-help website Higher Perspective. "We’re not saying don’t make plans, but definitely keep a few hours free every day. Give yourself a little you time for a cup of coffee or a nice walk."

There is officially just 68 days until I say goodbye to the Harbour City and head north to start a new life in a new city. As I sit here in my lounge room contemplating the measly seven boxes I've already packed versus the sheer amount of stuff left in my kitchen and on my lounge room shelves, the reality of the logistics involved is really starting to set in.

Copyright: 123RF Stock Photo

I know people move every day - some just down the street and some to the other side of the world. My neighbours - a family of three - recently packed up their unit to move to Paris and here I am stressing out about packing up to move 917km up the road. But no matter how far you move, I guess the organisation involved is just the same.

I'm hoping the process will help me declutter a bit too. I've already taken three box loads to the local second-hand bookstore and I'm sure the Salvos will get more than a few bags worth of clothes and shoes once I get to packing up my wardrobe.


"Unwanted, unused and unloved items in your environment always cost you space and energy but when you move the stakes are even higher," says Aby Garvey from website Simplify 101. "Unnecessary items now cost you time and money — two very precious commodities when you’re faced with packing up every single thing you own and moving it from point A to point B."

But how do you decide what to take and what to toss, sell or donate? Aby advises starting with these categories.

Things that don’t fit … either in size, taste or style.

"This can be anything from furniture to clothing…if it no longer suits your taste, you now have a great excuse to let it go," she says.

Gifts you’ve been given but have never used.

"You really aren’t obligated to keep forever everything everyone has ever given you," says Aby. "You can appreciate the person and the sentiment of the gift without actually holding onto the gift indefinitely. I know it’s hard but it really is OK. Pass the item on to someone who will use it and love it."

Paperwork

Get rid of anything that is more than seven years old and isn’t needed for accounting purposes, legal reasons or permanent records. Burn or shred unneeded documents that contain personal information. Recycle the rest.

Magazines and books

"Donate books you've read and won't read again to a friend, library or daycare centre (if appropriate)," suggests Aby.



I've also read about another decluttering/packing technique that I plan to try this week. You're meant to go room by room throughout the house searching for things you no longer use, need or love. This doesn’t have to be a major clean-out-the-cabinets effort, just a scavenger hunt of sorts. The idea is to take a box and fill it up as quickly as you can with things you don’t want to take to your new home. I'll let you know how it works out!

Suddenly the whole "moving to Brisbane" has become very real... we officially have a new home!

The house my boyfriend is currently renting has suddenly become unavailable so with my impending move we decided it made sense to find somewhere we both liked and for me to be officially on the lease.

So here it is! And yes, I'm super excited for the pool!!

Looking out from the dining area to the backyard and the pool!

The current decor isn't exactly to my taste but once we get our furniture in there and we can put our own little touches on the place, I think it will be completely transformed. One of the most exciting things is that there is the possibility the home might also be available for sale in 12 months.

Our new pool!

Kitchen

Media Room

Main bedroom

En suite

Cute, huh? That spa bath has my name all over it... and have I mentioned there's a pool?! With Sydney's almost arctic weather, currently I'm dreaming of stretching out on a sunbed in the backyard on a warm Queensland Sunday afternoon with a book in one hand and a glass of wine (or should that be a pina colada) in the other.

The move is officially 72 days away now so I have just over 10 weeks to completely pack up my apartment and move my life north. Having this place as an incentive though is making the thought of all those boxes kind of bearable.

Last week my boyfriend and I went on our first overseas holiday together. We've been on a couple of short weekend breaks but this was our absolute first full-blown holiday together. And it was great!

Our day one smiles continued throughout the whole week

I've read a lot of things online - and talked to a lot of friends - that say if you can survive an overseas holiday together, you can survive anything. Long airport queues, jet lag, navigating a new city, being together 24/7 without any respite... all of those things can spell disaster if you don't go into the whole experience with a big smile.

We went to Queenstown for a few days on the snow which, in theory, was a great idea. In practice though I spent a fair chunk of the first two days falling over having never skied before in my life.

So while jet lag wasn't really an issue for us, what was thrown into the mix was the frustration my Type A personality couldn't help but feel at learning a new skill only somewhat successfully.

I won't lie, there were tears - and plenty of them - but even when I threw my goggles and gloves on the snow (yes, I may have had a small tantrum) and wanted to make a hasty retreat to the bar, my boyfriend kept his cool.

He could have easily gotten frustrated too and given up trying to help me master this new skill but his patience meant I was soon back on the snow, albeit the learner runs, and was able to rebuild my confidence and eventually take on some of the longer, more difficult runs.



It wasn't long before we were both having a bit of a laugh about my breakdown and I think that is the secret to any mature relationship - we were able to move on relatively quickly and see my little episode for what it was... utterly stupid.

A lot of articles I've read say travel can really teach you about another person, and sometimes things that you might otherwise have never found out. While I'm not sure either of us learned anything new in particular, what the whole experience did cement was that we make a great team and, in my opinion, that can only bode well for a long and happy future together.

Can't wait for the next one!