Moving, and other change

by Posted on

By Liz, surrounded by boxes and moving anxiety

A week from today is moving day.

While most of me is in the “woohoo!!!” stage, part of me is dealing with the stress of a maze of boxes, piles of work to do in between packing, trying to find new furniture and make sure I’ve remembered to change all my auto-delivery addresses, and on and on. You know, all the common moving stressors. 

I think I’m also a little generally anxious about the whole thing. It’s absolutely the right move for me right now, but there’s always some worry about going to a new place, starting new routines, finding all the things I’ll need. This entire last year has been almost non-stop change, and I’m really hoping that things settle down a bit once the move is done. 

But the amazing thing about all the change is the way I received it. In the past, I would’ve lost my mind if ONE of the things had happened—never mind ALL the things. Instead I was able to recognize that I’d put the idea out there to the universe that I wanted different things in my life, and when they were delivered, I saw them for what they were—all opportunities. 

The end of a relationship gave me an opportunity to think about what I most want out of my life, in all areas, and how to get closer to that.

A major shake-up at work gave me an opportunity to change the way I approach my career(s). 

Leaving a toxic workplace gave me an opportunity to think differently about what’s good for my health—emotional and otherwise—and make choices that support that. Similarly, that change gave me an opportunity to realize I can surround myself with the types of people whom I actually want to be around, who are good for my soul, who I can energetically vibe with—not just the people with whom I’m forced to be around in a workplace. Because they are usually not my people.

And deciding (twice in the past year) to change locations gave me an opportunity to really choose, for the first time probably ever, where I wanted to be independent of other people or situations factoring in. 

It’s been amazing. And freeing. So I’m approaching it—and all the other “new” things in my world with a new “Bring it on” attitude. I’m ready. It’s gonna be amazing. 

Readers, how do you approach change? 

Published by Cate Conte / Liz Mugavero

Cate Conte writes the Cat Cafe Mysteries and the Full Moon Mysteries. As Liz Mugavero, she writes the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries, the first of which was an Agatha Award nominee for Best First Novel. She lives in the Boston area with her rescue pals.

46 Thoughts

  1. Congratulations on your new journey. I think my approach is similar – I think about what is best for me.

  2. Ahhh. Change. I’m very fortunate that I’ve been married to the same person and lived in the same house for the last 39 years, but my career path has been a different matter. I used to joke that I changed jobs every five years. Now that I’ve been a full-time writer for more than double that, I have no more plans to change careers again, HOWEVER, publishing being what it is, change is inevitable. In the last couple of years, I’ve signed with a new agent and two new publishers. New opportunities keep coming my way. My pat line is “I’m excited and a little terrified.” Change brings a healthy dose of the unknown, which is the scary part. The thing is, if a change turns out to be bad, I’ve learned we can always pivot in yet another direction.

    Best wishes on your move, Liz!

    1. YES!! A mentor once said to me, “No decision ever has to be your last.” That always stuck with me and made me feel better about making any decision.

  3. Moving always felt like the opportunity for Discovery to me. I enjoyed learning the new place, especially finding the public library the very first thing! I hope you will Discover lots of new places, people and peace.

  4. OMG Change? You’re not serious? Yes and No. Yes I do and No I don’t. Where are we moving? New York City or Burlington, Vermont? It matters.

  5. It’s been an honour to be a part of your journey over the last 13 years. As always, you inspire me to be my best self. People often say things like: “You’re so lucky you can do xxx!” It’s not luck. It’s a choice. And you have been brave enough to make it. It gives me courage to change things up too!

  6. I hope your move goes as smoothly as possible Liz!

    But for me, it is as case of “Ahhh change…who needs it?”

    I’m a creature of habit and routine so I try not to change much in how my life is set up. Single forever, in the same house for nearly 50 years, same job for more than 25 years.

    I’ve found that while I adapt to change when it is absolutely necessary or forced upon me, I generally despise change. It upsets the applecart of my life and tends to damage my calm. So I avoid it as much as I can.

    Of course, some changes have led to good things but most seem to just screw things up for me.

  8. Congratulations on everything, Liz. It sounds like a fun and exciting time and you are grabbing it with both hands and giving it a huge hug!

    My manner of handling change is similar to your. 2020 was my watershed year – left job, moved to Maine, changed career, and it was precisely what I needed. Keep an open mind and an open heart and the best flows in.

  10. Generally, I’m not a person that does well with change. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to be more flexible and to go with the flow finding that in the end most changes are for the better if we allow them to happen. In fact, it was me that suggested it first about downsizing and moving to where we really loved. It was hard (and I’m sure glad we did it then instead of now), but it was the best decision and action for us. All the hard work, doubts and adjusting to a new place and life were all well worth the effort. I sit back and think about what if we hadn’t tried. We would be somewhere nether of us cared for and miserable for the rest of our lives. Proving that, although often difficult, change can be a good thing.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

  11. I’m so happy for you! And I keep picturing you walking the dogs on the beach! I do okay with change, but as with all things I procrastinate.

  12. I’m happy for you and cheering you on! I often find a change of scenery gives my creativity a serious boost. I wish you all the best!!

  14. I am so glad you are finding the change a great big box of opportunities. Change is scary, particularly when foisted upon you or necessary when things aren’t working. Sometimes the things around us are not of our making nor our choices. The courage to make the necessary changes for yourself are the hardest. Great going and good luck!

  15. I think I needed this right now. I’m at the point where it is obvious some things in my life need to be changing, but I can’t tell where I am heading or what I will be doing to fill the voids in my life. It’s scary. Change is never fun. I think it would be better if I were moving toward something, but I’m not right now. But I do know that something will come along soon. I just need to keep praying and looking.

  16. Change is hard and we tend to be afraid to make the decisions. We need to see the opportunities it brings. Enjoy them.

  17. If it’s a change I CHOOSE, I approach it with excitement and anticipation. If it’s a change that is just thrust upon me or one I have no control over, once I get over the shock I usually approach it with acceptance and reserve myself to the fact it’s happening whether I like it or not so I should look for the good in the change.
    This is the beginning of a new chapter, if you will, for you. You will write the ending brilliantly I am sure.

  19. Congrats on your move and especially your attitude toward it. Getting out of a toxic work environment can be wrenching, but oh, so lightening to the spirit. I can feel your relief and happiness coming right through the screen.

    I’ve never really minded change. In fact, I’ve embraced it many times. As I get older, it is a little harder to adjust to some things, but I accept the challenge and get on with it.

  21. Wow! You have been through a LOT recently! Thank you so much for sharing that side of your life, Liz. You are handling it beautifully from what you shared with us. This is just the beginning for you!

  23. Liz: Best wishes on your move and dealing with the changes!
    My tolerance to change have evolved over the years. In my 20s, I was in a co-op environmental studies programme which meant I had to alternate between academic semesters in Waterloo ON and job placements (mostly in Toronto) every 4 months for 5 years. That’s a lot of back-&-forth packing & moving but I had the help from my parents back then.

    Working for Environment Canada since 1990, I tried a variety of jobs and moved to 4 different cities within that decade. After 2001, I settled down in Toronto until I got a lay-off notice in 2013. That job change + the crushing 2.5 HOUR commute had been a personal low point. I gladly left Toronto & moved to Ottawa in 2014. Great job, a 3-MINUTE walk to work and it is a wonderful city to live in. Retired in 2016 and I don’t plan on moving again for a while!

  24. The more things change the more they stay the same. You are the same person no matter where you are physically located. So whatever the “change” that occurs in your life remember to be true to yourself, your life’s goals and relish your accomplishments for these will will sustain you in your new surroundings, situatuon, relationship…however you define “change’. Worked for me all these years. Hopefully it will work for you. Good luck with your new adventure.

  25. In all honesty, kicking and screaming! I don’t like change. I still want to fetch things from where they were three tailers back (and this is staying on the same spot).

Comments are closed.