Moving takes courage

moving is teaching me about myself, minimalism, & being courageous

I’m moving. It’s local. People say that’s more work. I’m not sure. I’ve moved locally one other time, and that was across the street and down the hill, and that was the worst move ever because I didn’t really pack stuff the way I should have. The move took days.

Moving takes introspection and courage.

Introspection, because you have to analyze why you keep things, why you can’t let go, and what that says about you.

Courage, because who likes to analyze themselves or trust that change will be better than status quo?

We toured, bought, de-cluttered, staged, listed, sold, hired contractors, and packed in a few short weeks.

Moving can teach us couple things about change.

1. Multi-taskers shine during a move. I’m in awe of myself. But I’m also deciding that I no longer like multi-tasking. I want to lie on the sofa and tell my people I can’t get them a drink because I can only do one thing at a time. (Hey, it works for them.)
2. Minimalism increases calm.  I have way too much stuff. I love to purge, and I still have way too much stuff. I clean stuff out regularly, but this is disgraceful. I was in the BACK of the attic today–where no one should ever go–and I found old camera boxes and VCR boxes and a crib. There was a major time warp going on. I found a whole tub of lighthouse decor–I’ve been saving it in case I ever got a beach house! (haha)–and I uncovered all my precious bulletin board stuff from my teaching years in the 90s! The 90s, people–when I permed my hair so it radiated at least 3 inches from my head in all directions. Shell collections, rock collections, Legos, rocking horses. I’m not done, but I did work my way to the furthest eaves. The good thing about working in the attic is that I’m too tired to be sentimental. I’ll never be a minimalist, but I can certainly see the benefits of having less stuff.
3. Perfectionism ramps up in crisis. I already knew I was a perfectionist but you’d think it would go on vacation when you’re moving. However, I can attest that perfectionism digs in more every time you’re overwhelmed. It’s analyzing my boxes (they’re tidy), my organization (I have 2 folders and 1 master calendar), and my living space (it’s still neat on the main floor). Somehow, that sentence gives me pleasure in saying it. Perfectionists can’t function in a mess. They will go stark raving mad. I can’t afford that; I’m the only one holding this move together.
4. During stressful times, we need a go-to for calm. Mine is baking. Honestly, nobody has time to bake during a move, but occasionally, I have to break down and make cookies or pumpkin bread. I need it for my soul.
5. Change can make you spiritually tired. When you’re mentally tired from writing and physically tired from packing and sorting, you get spiritually tired. Or maybe you get spiritually tired because you’re too busy doing all those mental and physical activities that you don’t make the time to meditate, pray, or have devotions. Anyway, I’m tired, and I miss God. I wish He’d help me pack some boxes. I should pray while I pack tomorrow.
6. Let friends help you. I have some good friends. Some of them have been checking on me. Tomorrow, one is coming to help me. Moving really separates your categories of friends. It’s not that you have good ones and bad ones. They’re all good. Just not everyone comes over and helps you pack. (And not everyone should!) They know that about me, so only the perfectionists will show up.
7. Find places to escape your stress. Even when we’re completing an important deadline (like moving day), you have to take breaks where you leave your stress and do something else. Monday I went to the apple orchard. See, I had to do something artsy. I needed to wash my hair, put on normal clothes, and enjoy the fall for a few hours. Or the stark raving mad thing would happen. And then where would I be? Not perfect.
8. Embracing change is adventuresome. A move is an adventure, even if it’s down the street and especially if it’s to another city, state, or country. Any change, like moving, requires faith that the future will be as good or better than the present. Change believes and engages in the hard work that faith requires. Change is never passive. A person who embraces change is a person who is always growing and developing. And if you’re not afraid of change, you can embrace many options, like moving before Christmas, tearing out your kitchen the moment you move in, and turning in papers and projects because you’re in grad school.

Yeah, that’s me right now. Why not? What’s the worst that can happen?

Considering the worst, my friend, is the secret to  having courage during change. Address the worst possible scenario, realize it won’t probably happen, and (if it does–that you will survive), then anticipate the blessings you are yet to enjoy.