Change

My life has had some major changes in this last week with more to come. I discuss it all at www.stephenbrayton.wordpress.com.

It's pretty rare for men to be honest about their feelings and emotional responses to life's challenges. Perhaps it's more common with writers for whom the pen is a cathartic counselor. Thanks for the honest blog that I'm sure includes elements shared by many people, men and women, in this uncertain economy.

It's funny about change. Every second of living is about changes, but they occur with such regularity that we seldom stop and take note. When we do, our reaction to those changes is not always positive, especially as we age and see possibilities through a more cautious veil.

My entire life until the last ten years was spent moving almost every three years to take on new jobs, new responsibilities and new states, countries, etc. etc. I found every move exciting and full of hope for more of something. I always knew the best of life was right around the corner; yet, the new experience was always frightening too. That edge was the adrenalin rush.

I hope you find the silver lining in your new job and location and thank you for sharing your truth in making major changes.

Good luck with the relocation! It won't be all good ... but it won't be all bad, either. Take the rough and smooth it out. As they say, life is what you make of it. Make it good.

Thanks. I'll still be posting and commenting. I'll find time to do all that. I may have more time after I start to get settled.

I think DK and Shelagh said what I think.
Having moved often, change finally became second nature. Although I didn't like change, I accepted it as the norm. Soon I was becoming restless if I was in one place for four years.
I think you will adjust quickly and like your new environment if you refuse to look back with regrets.

Change is difficult even when you are planning it and looking forward to it. I lived in my home town until my late 30's - several different houses, but they were all about 5 - 10 minutes apart. the move to Houston wasn't so bad, because I had lots of family and support there. the 22 years I lived in that house was the longest I have ever been in one place.

Then I decided to retire to SA. My two daughters were living here, but so was my ex, so there were problems just with the family dynamics, but the main thing was that, like Stephen's situation, so much of it happened suddenly. During Spring Break of my last year of teaching, I put my house on the market. It sold about 30 days before school was out. I had that much time to scout an apartment in SA (the girls helped out with that) Where it got really tough was the last week. The closing was set for three days before I could move out. It was an end of the month thing, so the buyers did not want to wait any longer, nor did they want to let me rent from them for those days. I found a Comfort Suites a few blocks from the house, and managed to bet my furniture packed, out, and into temporary storage. I was concerned with driving my old Escort to SA, but since I had decided to pay cash for a new car, I needed to wait until the closing was a done deal. I was supposed to close out of school on the Saturday after graduation, but that was the day the van was loading my stuff, so I had to get permission from the school to check out late. I did that Monday and Tuesday mornings, buying a new Focus Monday afternoon, checking out of the hotel Tuesday morning before heading to the school for a couple of hours, then back to the car dealer to turn in my old car, unload my luggage into my new one, and head out. I slept on an air mattress in my empty apartment for two days before the van arrived with my furniture, half of which was unloaded at the apt - the other half a few miles down the road in a couple of storage units.

During that two days I learned it would be at least a week before I could get a phone. I went to the ATT store and got my first cellphone, but was told that I would be paying roaming fees for the first three days. - I forget why - I do remember bursting into tears in the phone store.

It was a rocky first month or so, but now, I wouldn't have changed my decisions for anything.

Ann, isn't it amazing how we can adjust when necessary? We learn much about our capabilities. When the problems are solved, we feel pleased with ourselves. That is our reward.