I live over 2000 miles from my high school yet every time I return home I visit the building – which is now an old folks home. I also walk by my family home in a neighborhood that is undergone a brutal overhaul. Ten years ago the elm tree disease destroyed all the trees on my street so what was once blissfully shaded and cool is now stark ugly. The sidewalks jut up and out as the tree roots continue their reach to nowhere. Houses go unrepaired, trash is tossed and the end result is something that one would move away from (if one hasn’t already done so).
Sometimes we just ‘land’ somewhere and make it work. Other times, we seek our new quarters and spend time with colors, counters, carpets and other important items that turn the everyday space into something amazing.
The act of relocating is simple – most of the work comes before. Where, when, how, what… are the questions that happen before the move. Should I… where to… when… how to …what to take? And once the decision is made, things fall into place.
The overall concept is exciting. A new environment, new walls, new neighbors, new sounds, new views. The reality may be too many sounds, nasty neighbors, no views, unhealthy environment, and bland walls. And yet … juices are flowing, body is recharged, hope is in the air.
A relocation forces you to clean up and condense, toss and throw, reduce and recycle. The end result is something to be proud of … empty closets, clean spaces, bare cupboards, room to breathe. Ahh, doesn’t it feel wonderful?
Happily ... after retirement 
If only I could answer the question: where!
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It does indeed……as does our fine spring weather—-especially the rain the other day :-).
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Yes Marge! You have motivated me to “pick a closet” and get to work!
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From the time I met my husband until our 3rd anniversary we had moved 7 times. By our 15th anniversary we were up to 14 moves. In the last 13 years we’ve been in one place, and it’s driving me crazy. When you move every year or every few months, you minimize the useless stuff, and you start fresh, free of clutter in each location. I am looking at house listings lately, much to hubby’s panic, but it’s mostly because I feel that desire to do be unburdened. Except of the shoe collection, of course. And the books. Oh, and the fabric. Sigh.
I’m a little jealous that you have some new horizons to explore! 🙂
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Relocating does make us get rid of the unnecessary, doesn’t it? And so much of our ‘stuff’ whether physical or emotional, needs to be tossed!
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I cleaned my windows yesterday and saw a whole new world!!! It’s wonderful to bring the beautiful outside in, especially after such a long winter!! Keep goin’ little sister, you’re doin a great job and a real inspiration to me!!!
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And perhaps more snow this coming week? Let’s hope!
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It’s amazing the amount of stuff we accumulate, isn’t it? We live in a land of plenty and we are so blessed to have so much. And yet, the cleaning up and tossing out is such a wonderful feeling!
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To minimize the useless stuff and start fresh, free of clutter is such a lovely thing, isn’t it? That’s where I am standing now and loving it! Now … to continue with this “state of less” is going to be the hard thing!
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Right on Joss – when I toss something that has an emotional connection I let it take me back to that time and place and get ‘in the moment’ again. Then, I reverently let it go. It’s a scrubbing process of the first degree. And yet, I am so happy that I am doing it for myself and not some strangers coming to empty my house because of some mishap or something. Physical and emotional!
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Tidy, clean, dust-free, sparkling windows and such is what others see. The removal of memories (good and bad), history and accomplishments will always remain close to my heart where they can be accessed often. Keep cleaning …Hugs!
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MargeKatherine, you have inspired me to start doing something — l’ll let you know when I dicover what it is!
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