It's a Process

I have moved five times in the last 10 years each time to a place where I knew no one, or almost no one. I am, at this stage in the game, a relocation expert. I firmly believe that people do it wrong, that there is a process and series of steps that must be followed in order to successfully assimilate into any new community. Failure to complete this series or to bypass one step to get to a later, more alcohol filled step will result in frustration, disappointment and inevitably the desire to uproot oneself again in favor of a location where the presence of family and friends makes life a bit easier.

Being in grad school and attempting to digest 1000 pages of theory a week has made sticking to my process a bit difficult. I know that before I can find a job, develop a network of acquaintances that grows into a network of friends, and eventually tackle that whole dating beast, I must first start at home.

I am a big believer in nesting. If your home isn't comfortable and welcoming than you won't want to be there and since you are at home a lot in the beginning - you know, before you get a life - it can be a depressing reality.

Downsizing from 900 square feet to 300 square feet has meant living in an endless game of tetris. Move the pile of crap from this corner to that corner to this corner and back again.

I have made multiple trip to Ikea in search of storage solutions and the place has slowly been coming along. This weekend, however, I decided enough was enough. I needed to get this place put together once and for all, if only to get it off my to do list. (Photos to come.)

There is still a lot to do but now I can actually sit on my couch and walk around without worrying about squashing fatty and even have room to do sit ups on the floor should I feel so motivated.

And I am telling you the process works. As soon as I didn't dread coming home, opportunities started to present themselves that kept me out of the house.  New acquaintances with serious friend potential, reconnecting with old friends and potential new work opportunities.  Even the theory started to get a little easier.

Life is a process and the key to making it through is making sure you enjoy life one step at a time.