By Lyndsay Rogers Nomadic lifestyles take a toll, something I have only recently discovered. As I sat reflecting for this piece, I realized that I have moved six times in the past three years. Not only have I moved around a lot, but in these three years I have conquered many milestones in the world of moving. I was the single girl in my twenties, living in my first apartment with my friend. I was the girl who moved to another country (which is scary enough) to live in my first dorm. I was the girl who moved to live in my first house with roommates. I was the girl to share their first apartment with her boyfriend. Now, I am the girl who has moved back home with her Dad and brother. The amount of times I have moved and the many different firsts I have experienced in this short amount of time happen for most people over the course of a decade. Moving so often means many goodbyes, stress when learning how to adapt, and realizing more about yourself than ever before. So, in an effort to spread my wisdom (if you want to call it wisdom) to those in need of advice for how to stay sane in the wake of packing their bags for the billionth time, I decided to compile a ‘do’s and don’ts’ for all the wanderers out there who need help transitioning into their new home and frame of mind. -Have a constant in your life→ Whether this is a person, a television show, a book, or an activity, it is always helpful to hold on to something that can transcend borders. For me, I had a few. Since I was little, I watched the Golden Girls before bed. So, I always made sure to install a pop-up blocker on my computer and continued to stream my favourite television show every night on my laptop before bed. I have liked going to get a real coffee and taking my laptop to do work, so whether it was to escape my roommates, escape my family, or to just get out of the house, I always have made sure to find a good spot to get a good coffee and free internet where I can just sit and clear my thoughts for work. Know your constants, and make them work. -Find pleasure in small things→ I love my Dad and my brother, but living with them recently has proven stressful in certain ways. Even though there are times I am sure all of us get on each other’s nerves, I know I have to find the good through the annoying. For example, the fact that I get to have coffee with my Dad on Saturday mornings while we talk about life, or that I got to wish my brother a ‘happy birthday’ on his actual birthday in person. These are small things we don’t realise we miss until we have them again. -Educate yourself about where you are going→ If it is another country, state, city, or just neighborhood, it is best to learn as much as possible about every new place. This could take form in reading about it on the internet before moving there on travel websites or even blogs, buying travel books to tote around, or even exploring the area after arriving. Learning the customs, local hot spots, or even just where the closest corner shop is located will always help, not. -Exercise→ I am guilty of not doing this enough, but I know many who find this to be a coping mechanism for all forms of their stress. Getting involved in a gym can also help you meet new people and become acclimated to a new place or situation. Not to mention, exercise is the surest way possible to stay proactive and vibrant. This could be anything from yoga, sit-ups and squats, to intense marathon training; whatever you like to do best. -Be open to newness and difference→ Go ahead and accept that things will be not be what you are used to. Living with new people (or even if this means just living alone) and being somewhere new is always going to be challenging. People will not think the same as you, life will not happen the same as you are used to, and your routine will change. The best part of though is that this is OKAY! Just be open to it, and learn to let things slide; otherwise, be prepared to be pissed off all the time.
I wouldn’t change how many times I have moved and the experiences I have had because they really are teaching me more than school ever could. Yes, I am tired of packing and living temporarily in places, but I know in my heart that I will look back on this and be glad I kept choosing to keep moving. These experiences will always outweigh packing and unpacking.
3 Comments
Ciara
4/20/2015 05:19:38 am
This is great. In the past four years, I've lived in three states and moved four times. While the physical act of packing up your belongings over and over again is tiresome, I agree with you that the lessons that have come from each temporary home are indispensable. No regrets!
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Fred Rogers
4/20/2015 10:47:24 pm
Don't forget to take Jesus with you! Nice article indeed and some really good advise!
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Lyndsay
4/20/2015 10:57:57 pm
Thanks all! Dad, you know I do. <3
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