I have been insane over the past month or so. I have had so many friends move, myself included.

When you move, it’s really a time to take a close look at your life. (Maybe that’s why I did it once a year for so long.   I had been at the same place for 4 years, and it was time to move, not because I was discontent, but because I want to be prepared for what’s next..

Moving is such a different experience for everyone. Some move across the country, others around the globe. Some to a fixer upper, others to a blank slate, and yet others into a furnished, (or in my case) an over-furnished place.

Lessons:

• It’s a time to look around and realize how much you have, and be thankful. To think back on memories, and enjoy the moments in your old place, and to look forward with dreams to your new residence.  

 

• When things are full, you realize sometimes you have to pack a little lighter to truly enjoy the space we have.  Oh, it’s this way in life too, for example: I’ve been consciously attempting to focus on a few closer relationships rather than building many shallow friendships.  It’s been a huge change over the past 9 months, but one that I’ve welcomed, and honestly, looking back, I wouldn’t have it any other way.  

 

• Last week I spent many hours sanding a hard wood floor at a friends house. They chose the fixer upper sort. It’s not glorious work, but I saw such beauty in getting dirty, and doing work where you can see a difference. I realized I quite enjoy manual labor a lot more than I had thought. Why? I think it’s the beauty of taking something and making it into something new and beautiful. Layers of stuff coming off, and making the us filthy and covered in dust. But what’s underneath can truly shine.

 

• Asking for help is such a humbling necessity, people won’t always help on your timing.  Some volunteered to help me as I moved.  I would never have been able to do this on my own.  One of the last days I sat overwhelmed in my empty room, the last of the boxes just put in my car, on the drive, I realized that I needed help.  Frantically, I panicked and started calling people.  I didn’t find someone to help me unpack the car that day, but I did find something better.  A couple friends were able to give a couple hours later in the week.  What a blessing.  One that I never would have had if I didn’t speak up…

Have you moved recently?  What would you recommend to someone getting ready to move?