I’ve known for some time but haven’t publicly talked about it on the blog for multiple reasons, mainly because I needed to accept that it was happening. It’s not a bad thing. Nor is it necessarily awesome. I mean it’s October. You know what’s coming. Winter. And unlike GoT, winter in Minnesota always kicks ass. And again, depending on your perspective, that’s a good thing or a really bad, bad thing.
So why the move back? If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you know that I’ve felt a bit stuck and lost since I talked about it constantly. Or whined. Whined would be an acceptable description too. 😀
At some point, though, you have to stop whining and do something. And my doing something is to take a step back and figure things out, while not living in the one of the most expensive cities in the world. To start the next phase of my journey (and I have no idea what that is, which is both super terrifying and super exciting!) and to get back on track again.
Road Trip! Road Trip!
I’m heading back to Minnesota in a couple weeks (yup, Max and I are going on a major road trip together!) so I’ll be taking a break from blogging during that time. Now I still plan to participate in the Show Us Your Books Link-Up tomorrow and will read your blogs posts in between packing, which sucks so bad, so you’ll still see me out and about.
Once I get settled, I’ll be back, optimistically full-time in November. I may pop up on Halloween because you-know-who may be forced against his mighty will into some super duper cute costume that I’ll have to share with you to his great shame and my delight.
To What’s Next
As you can imagine I’ve had all the feels and it’s been a bit of a roller coaster. Right now, I’m cautiously optimistic, nervous, excited and a bit sad. And I’m okay with it. My living situation will be a bit in flux (I’ll be living at home temporarily while my new place is getting ready) but life is about change and I’m ready for a change.
Any moving advice for me? It’s been a long time since I moved and the last move was paid for by my employer, so it was much, much easier. 😀
Tanya
Congrats on your decision to move back to MN, Tanya! I’m happy for you. Can’t wait to hear more about your plans and adventures. Maybe now we will have more of a chance to get together sometime. Best wishes for the move!
It’s been a really long time since I’ve moved but my best advice is purge, purge, purge!
Best,
Sunny
You were the first person I thought of Sunny after I decided to make the move. We definitely have to schedule a lunch together for an upcoming weekend! Lordy, I definitely plan to purge. I’m not a huge hoarder but then I find weird, random things. 😀
I wish I had advice – I’ve moved once… when I got married 🙂 HAHA … oh scratch that – twice – we moved from our first home to our 2nd & I swore I’d never do it again. I’m not much help, huh?
But Excited for you for new changes & hope this is just the inspiration you need to just feel like you’re in the right place & you feel all the joy & happiness.
Keep us updated. & prayers for safe travels on your road trip!!!
Moving is such a pain. I get why people never, ever move unless absolutely necessary! Thanks for your well-wishes and support! It means a lot to me and I’m hopeful that this will bring new and exciting things to my life. 😀
Girl, I am so excited for you and Max. What an adventure! I feel like this is going to be a great change for you- I know it’ll rejuvenate and refresh you. And if you’re feeling bleh just step out into that Minnesota winter 😉 I know you’ll miss some of your life in Cali but I totally see you making the most of this move! Congratulations, have a safe trip, and good luck in your “new” state!
LOL! Just step out into the Minnesota winter! I swore to all my friends that I was going to wear sandals my first day back in MN – no matter how cold it is. 😀 Thanks for the well-wishes – much appreciated!
Big decision but one I know you totally thought through. Gonna miss ya though! 🙂
When we moved to Oregon (and back, lol), we put Bailey in his carrier, but on the floor of the front passenger seat, so that he couldn’t see outside. I read that them seeing the landscapes going by at that speed(freeway speed) can make them dizzy and barfy. It worked for him, no throwing up! 🙂
I’m going to miss you too, Mackenzie! It is a big change and one that I went back-and-forth on, but this is the right choice for me right now. Ah, I did not know that tip about traveling with cats, so I will keep that mind for Max. He does not like being in his carrier and he’s going to be a bit grumpy with me initially. I just got him a new carrier and the side opens so he’ll having more lounging space, which he should appreciate. Maybe.
Good luck with this next chapter of your life! Hopefully you can find some clarity on what your next steps are. Plus, I find it’s nice to have the support of my parents….even if it’s just a homemade dinner (that I don’t have to cook!). I have no moving tips….fortunately, I haven’t done it too much. But, I do say, purge and get rid of the stuff you don’t want to keep before you go! And good luck with a road trip with Max. Driving a few minutes to the vet is torturous, listening to my cats’ meow in agony. I can’t imagine a cross country trip!
I definitely plan on doing some purging. I weirdly keep lots of paperwork because I’m too lazy to deal with (toss, shred or keep and end up keeping everything) and will now have to deal with it. 😀 Max doesn’t yowl but he pants because he hates his carrier. To be fair, he was also a little smushed in his carrier because he is a large cat stuffed into a medium carrier. But I just him a new, bigger carrier so I’m hoping that will help. 😀
Good luck with the move and this new chapter!! I can relate to the Minnesota winter since I grew up in Calgary AB and our east-coast Canadian winters are not the best, either. lol. I hope everything goes well!!!
Thanks Heather! The move went smoothly overall and I’d say I can’t complain but hello – it was 17 degrees outside when I woke up this morning. I’m gonna complain! 😀
Advice: Make a lot of lists.
Label the boxes well. I also numbered our boxes in the order of importance last time (we’re going on move #7 next summer). 1 was for things I needed right away, 2 was for things that could go in a basement/garage if they didn’t get into the house right away and that was okay, 3 was for things that *should* go into a basement or garage, and 4 was for things that could go into storage and I never wanted to see (but can’t throw away…memorabilia, old teaching supplies, baby supplies/clothes we had outgrown, etc.)
This helped those who were helping me (i.e. husband and parents) know what they needed to bring into the house.
Thank you so much for this AWESOME advice Kristin. I definitely followed it and it was so hopeful. Well, up to the last couple of boxes that just got everything thrown into them. LOL! But because my housing situation is a bit temporary right now, it was nice to know which boxes could be put in storage and which ones I needed right now. Thanks again for your suggestions – so very helpful and appreciated!