Whenever I want to have some fun during interviews with individuals under 18, I’ll throw a sidewinding question to throw them off, ‘What is your least favorite chore?’

I’ve heard the gambit of chores such as dishes, babysitting, garbage, bathroom, mopping, sweeping, dusting, grocery shopping, walking the dog, windows, laundry, cleaning the car, and yard work.

Through the years, my answer has changed as I always answer quietly to myself while I’m waiting for the result from my subject.

But without a shadow of a doubt, I am not changing my answer again.

Moving.

Some may not think it’s a chore and call it a job instead, which I wouldn’t argue, but for the sake of this column and because, in my opinion, work and chores are synonymous, moving is the absolute worse.

When you’re a kid, your body doesn’t creak, crack, and ache, and it’s fun to open the boxes when you get to the new places. It’s almost like Christmas. Plus, it’s exciting to meet the new neighbors, see a new scenery, and be in a new location with all kinds of grand unforeseen adventures.

However, as you get older, moving becomes less and less, and then zero fun.

The Christmas-like joy is gone as you know everything that is in every box and you have to figure out if you want to put them in a new place in the new abode, put them in a different spot you may forget an item is even there, or maybe even throw it away after you already packed it, took up room in a box or tote, and used muscle fatigue to transport.

The older we get, the creaks, cracks, aches, pains, possible fractures and scars, are tougher and tougher to get over or recoup from, especially if there are steps or a long walkway.

I’m in solid shape since I’m an IHSA official and have had long spurts in the weight room or walking/jogging/running every day, but my body still feels a move the next day. Or the next two weeks.

Then there is the factor we don’t think of when we’re younger.

Why did you move?

After 30, it’s probably because of a bad breakup, a divorce, or a loved one passed away or needs help at home because of health reasons. Each one of those brings negative energy and a depression sets in before the move even takes place because of the bad omens or lack of enthusiasm because of the situation.

When going through the boxes, each item makes you think of something.

Hopefully, all of the nostalgic memories make you think of happy thoughts like people you love to the moon and back, moments of triumph, or a souvenir of someone you miss who lives somewhere else or you haven’t seen in a while.

Then there are the bad ones.

The sweater given to you by your late, great grandmother.

The charm you received for a birthday or Christmas from the former loved one, who is the reason you’re going through the moving process in the first place. There are many more I could list, but I like to keep these upbeat and funny as much as possible.

Nothing funny about your heart being ripped out and stepped on after you’ve spent all of your Monster or Purpose Nutrition energy trekking up and down stairs for four hours.

The point is, moving is by far the worst.

It takes time, gas money, physical pain, and emotional grief.

Hopefully, you stay in one place and don’t have to experience the angst of moving except from high school to college, college to a home, and maybe one or two additional moves due to career or family advancement.

But don’t be silly and force yourself into unwanted suffering by unneeded or unwarranted packing.