HI everyone:

I hope you are enjoying my blog postings on moving. There is one part of moving that you need to be aware of: the glums.

According to some of the studies I’ve read, it takes a woman six months to get over moving. Since I am getting ready for my 24th move, that means, if the studies are correct, I’ve spent 12 years depressed. Although a slight case of depression did accompany some of my moves, it was not the case all the time, thank heavens!

So how do you get over moving? I was standing on the front porch of the rental property I am getting ready to move into as I begin a new job in a new location. I was waiting for my landlord (I haven’t had a landlord since I was about 20!), wondering what in the world I was getting myself into.

I have lovely homes in three states, and here I was starting all over. I noticed, for the first time, that my one neighbor’s retaining wall was peeling paint, while the one on the other side had broken mini-blinds and mold growing on the side of the house. When I got into the rental, I saw that the finishes on the cabinetry and the flooring were not up to the standards I was used to.

And then I realized that this was the glums talking. The neighborhood I am moving into is considered quite desirable. It’s close to everything I need to be close to. The house itself is nice; it’s just not what I am used to. And therein lies the problem.

If you are moving and expecting everything to be the same, minus that one person in your life, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.  Try reaching out to others in the midst of your sadness that life is changing. Spend time focused on the needs of other people and you will get your eyes off of yourself. That, and prayer, is probably the best way to step into your new life, your new normal, and that will help you embrace the future.

You can do this!

Best,

Dr. Sheri