So We’re Moving and That’s Okay

Do the words moving strike fear in your heart?  Do you get actual heart palpitations with those words.  The thought of it may be devastating, I mean really devastating.  There are so many reasons moving is scary.  Selling a house is just one, changing jobs, leaving friends, relationships, schools and communities is a big deal too.  There are just so many reasons for anxiety about moving.

I know about moving.  I heard those words many times over my childhood. Just let me tell you a little about myself, because I am a military brat.  My dad was in the Navy before he was in the Air Force.  When he was in the Navy we moved a lot.  When he was in the Air Force we still moved a lot, more than the average person in America.  Right about the time I got really comfortable in a community we had to move.

I remember two particular events in my life that left impressions on me.  When we lived in a small Northeastern town I was in middle school.  I tried out for the field hockey team.  The coach thought I was a pretty good player, but along with the compliment came the comment, “she is military though and won’t be here long.”  In some towns the same comment came from parents that meant well for their children but hurt me along the way,  the idea of their children becoming friends with someone moving around just did not sit well with them.  So when my dad came home and said that we were moving I started feeling very sad.  It just seemed like moving was a bad thing.  The whole idea of packing our things up and going somewhere new seemed like a really bad idea.

Now I realize the with a little thoughtfulness and planning on my parents part and as an adult on my part moving can be looked at in a totally different light.  Now I do know that the idea of starting all over again is difficult and feeling like that as a child and as an adult is perfectly normal.  I have had those feelings myself many times.  Even if the move is just across town it can cause anxiety.  Leaving a neighborhood or community that you have belonged to for sometime is worrisome.  Change is always hard. So how will I combat this.  What can I do to look at the situation differently?  There are somethings we can do to help us actually look forward to a move.

Find the Fun Things To Do

If you are moving to a totally new town.  Check it out online.  Every town has something unique and fun to do.  Just looking up the history of your town is fun.  Our small town is full of historical facts involving the revolutionary war and other neat things.  Not far from here is the state capital.  There is always something to learn about the capital. One state that we lived near has a town dedicated exclusively to Santa Claus and Christmas all year long.  If you don’t research and try to find fun things out you never will.  The city you move to may have the largest bottle of ketchup or largest ball of twine.  The state has to have something funky somewhere going on.

Beach or Mountains

One of the two should interest you or your family.  Do some research and discover some of the natural landmarks in the area you are going to.  Mississippi has a natural bridge that I have always wanted to see.  Arizona has a horseshoe shaped landmark that I want to see.  I want to see every state.  What better way to do that than to move near them. Set a date to visit one or the other after you have arrived and unpacked.  It could be a day-cation.  You do not have to stay for a week to enjoy the scenery of the mountains or the lull of the ocean.  It is always fun to see something you have never seen before. You maybe surprised to find out there is a large body of water near by for your enjoyment and relation.  Each state has so much to offer.

Museums or Art Galleries

If the natural world is not your thing a museum or art gallery might be very close.  You may discover art like you have never seen before.

Festivals

This is a great way to discover a state.  Our state has so many festivals I can’t keep up with them.  There is the Sweet Potato Festival, The Watermelon Festival, The Cultural Festival, there are all kinds. They seem to all revolve around food which can teach you a lot about the state.

Don’t Anticipate The Worst

This is a biggie.  Why is it that when something new comes along we expect the worst.  We may not even be able to put a finger on the fear or reason for the fear.  It is just there lurking in our hearts and our minds and I think if I had to put my fear on paper I would not be able to do that.  You know and I both know, what tomorrow holds is totally unknown.  So if I am afraid of a move I can not really tell you why.  It really is the fear of the unknown and the fear of the unknown is kind of silly when I say it out loud.

So look at it like a big adventure.  Try not to fear the unknown.   Don’t let the adventure of life that has been given to you be scary.  Instead see it as an opportunity to see something different.  Meeting new people and doing new things is exciting.  New is often challenging but it can also be exciting.  Only you can change the way you think and see a situation. If moving is not going away look at it differently.  Talk about moving in a positive light.  Make plans that are positive.  Do some research and find activities that interest all of your family.  Be nervous but don’t be panicked.  A little bit of nervousness makes us all work better.  Be excited anticipating something fun.  This may even be better than where you live right now, but if you never get there you will never know. Honestly, Janet