Time scale could be a week or 6 months+ how do l stay positive

Janburry - the uncertainty is the problem as this gives you choices - the choice to pack, the choice to garden, the choice to remain fed up and low. My advice is to categorise the packing into things you won't need until next winter and get them packed immediately because as you think you definitely won't spend another winter in your current place you won't need them. Make sure that you put detailed information on the sides of the boxes as to what's in and which cupboard, set of drawers the contents came from, an even what room they were in.

When you've done that stick with the thought that you might be where you are for six months - as a gardener you know that a lot happens to a garden in six months and you must get pleasure out of looking at it so continue with the garden - of course it's worth it, it's not the fact that you might leave a pretty garden for someone else to look it that should be on your mind, but rather providing yourself with something uplifting to look at for the new few months while you're waiting and dealing with the uncertainty. Good luck.

I see no reason why you can't at the very least, plant a couple of pots up with something flowering, that you can take with you.
Begin packing things that you don't use on a regular basis - as far as clothes go, perhaps halve the number of the ones in your wardrobe and pack, then you can wash and wear the remainder.
These days, the turn around for housing is often less than a month between allocation and moving, so even though it may not be happening for several months, whatever you can do between now and then will mean not such a rush when you do get the call especially if your husband is unable to help. Otherwise, make sure that you have time for the odd cup of tea or coffee and time to sit out in the sun on days like today.

I'm so sorry! You are going through a really hard time and it must be very difficult to feel any motivation at all.
I've actually just been diagnosed with long Covid and am not feeling at my sparkling best. When I get off the sofa I wheeze and cough like someone on 60 Woodbines. Having been the one who took meals to sick folks, I am now on the receiving end! So I have had to think about what I can I do. Not gardening - and I'm missing it! But I have started going through my address book (and our church address book) and sending a cheerful card to people. Concentration is a challenge and I'm afraid all the sitting is going to result in a backside the size of Patagonia, but I'm ploughing on. Everyone likes a card through the post and it gives me some focus.

Yet more lovely ideas to be thinking about and to be doing wish I'd written my first comment before l let myself get so down thank you

Take all these lovely messages as one giant hug from us all. It seems such a large task but one bag at a time, one small step...

Yes Janburry, start now with the items you don't need every day, pack a couple of boxes a day- mark them clearly, then if you're waiting longer & need stuff back out, you know where they are! As for garden, keep it tidy, buy only smaller potted plants, and maybe treat yourselves to a couple of new garden chairs (fold up ones if necessary) so you could use now or in new place.And try not to worry too much, at least you're nearer to one than many of us?

We have not long sold our house so the biggest piece of advice I can give is start early and get rid of anything you don't want or need. We thought we had done all this but it still turned out to be the most stressful (out of 16 house moves) that we have ever done.

SJV07, sadly its not that simple to get a stair lift- not with the council anyway! I asked in 2018, way before lockdowns& covid existed-after struggling 6 yrs with the stairs. a lady came to look a few months later, in summer 2019- i explained i was on a (very long) waiting list for double knee replacement op, but i could be waiting months yet,at least, and my knees, plus now all other joints, were getting worse, plus a heart valve problem which makes me tired& breathless, getting to top of my stairs each night is getting to be dreaded! (& im only 57!)Theres already the 'fittings' in where the previous tenants had stair lift in (why housing didn't just leave it is a mystery, as i was given house over 28 others, due to our disabilities)so i assumed occupational therapy lady would not see it a problem(it was inferred by council it was just a formality) but no! - said as hospitals these days like to get people moving more after joint replacements id 'better wait' as they will think it better to 'get up& down stairs'! 2 years later, after covid& pandemic hit the world, so NO OPERATIONS AT ALL, and NO chance of getting new knees, and NO chance of a stair lift still, here i am still struggling up/down the blooming hated stairs every day&night!.Also, NO bungalows on rehousing list that would be large enough (3bed) for me and my 2 disabled sons, still at home, to live in.As they assume everyone needing bungalows is an old person their own.I bet that it'd be ok with them if i wanted to pay for a stair lift myself though eh.Or had money to buy a 3bed bungalow.?

I downsized to a bungalow, just in it over a year now. I packed bits up every day when I sold my old townhouse, starting with crockery I wouldn't use, clothes, etc. Some stuff went to charity shops, friends, etc. It was a great help the nearer it got to moving day, I'd everything packed by then and my friends just had to help with furniture and all the boxes which I had coloured coded with pens to show which room they were for. Typical Virgo and control freak lol

I'm sorry I don't want to depress you, but 15 years ago I waited 3 years to move from a flat to a bungalow. If your waiting on the local authority you may have to wait a while more yet to be able to move. You need to have a lot of patience and cope as well as you can.

I am looking at downsizing knowing DHs health is limiting his life and we have discussed getting me settled before the inevitable. Bungalows are so expensive,no way can we buy. Anyone being offered one should snap it up no matter how long the wait. Spring, summer are on their way, look at what you haven't used overwinter and clear it out and if you are still waiting end if summer do the same again. Enjoy your garden while you can. If you know you will have some garden when you do move select plants you would like to take with you. On one move I did I filled 45 pots with plants I wanted to have in my new garden. It's actually exciting to think about. Fingers crossed for you.

Otherwise you have to go through it once, but worry about it a million times. SUCH WISE ADVICE. !!
And go on, treat yourself to some lovely Spring plant- you can ala
was enjoy them right nw in pots and take them with you when you go - as you say that could be age yet so don't live in limbo - just enjoy it as much as you can.

It is wearing, Janberry, having to wait for others to act before you can.

It sounds as if you have done all you can at present, but perhaps you should mentally review the things you intend to keep to see if there is more that should be discarded or given away.

To my mind it is easier to get rid of things when packing rather then when trying to get your new home ship-shape.

If you enjoy gardening, I think I would cncentrate on making the garden tidy for the next owner - I am sure they will appreciate your efforts.

Certainly, start packing things like Christmas decorations now, if that is you have room for filled boxes. I would pack my summer clothes too in clearly marked boxes so you know where they are.

Otherwise try to relax and treat this time as a rest from work. You will have plenty to do when you get round to moving.

Good Luck Janburry we moved to a bungalow 5 years ago main snag it has a steep drive to the house!! Beware!

Have you tried writing to the council or the corporation who will be providing the bungalow? You could ask them how long it will take. You could ask your doctor for a letter to send with it. Maintaining contact with the providers will keep you in their minds. A weekly phone call asking if there's any news might also help. My parents had a lovely little garden with their council bungalow so you may be fortunate. Sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs and good luck!

We downsized last year in the lockdown with no tip or charity shops open! It was a mammoth task involving a house, studio and double garage. I was dreading everything about it but, with a lot of planning, we got through it and are now happily living in our new, smaller house with a garden a quarter of the size.

These are my top tips

1) Start early. I did a cupboard/drawer a day.

2) Be ruthless. Ask yourself 'have I used this item in the last year? Do I love it so much I can't live with out it?'

3) Use facebook 'for sale' pages, people come and take stuff away and usually within the hour!

4) Remember the removal men will do more than you expect them to, for example, they can put items together for you at both ends.

Good luck

Do just a little packing of items you rarely use Janburry.
It`s amazing how much we have in our cupboards that we hardly use at all,and that includes whats in the loft.
Good luck with the move,and i hope it`s sooner rather than later.

Imfielden think DH means dear husband. DD is dear daughter etc. If not, I have been reading all the messages wrong!

Darling Husband Imfielden.
Go to acronyms at the top of the page for more info.

Am I being stupid, what does DH stand for???????

flump, my friend's son bought a bungalow and 'developed' it, mainly by converting the roof. His profit? A big, fat zero!

Bungalows in this area have a premium price, due to rarity and high demand. He converted it into a house - not very clever!

Janburry, I think that you can start packing. Pack (and label) anything that's not essential or in regular use. You'll be surprised just how much there is! When you pack the rest, it will be so much easier.

Apologies. janburry, fat finger syndrome here.

Good luck janburty, I hope you get a definite date soon. We live in a bungalow. Definitely worth it. Hang on in there.

BlueBell, ground rent on mobile homesites can be quite high. We looked into the idea a few years ago, and found out that the site owners were allowed to set their own rates for gas and electricity, usually higher than the going rate.
I hope you get moved without too much bother Janburry.