I created this blog as a space to write freely, but have not felt that my head has been in the space to write freely. Moving and starting a new job and coming down from a year in which things still seem a bit fuzzy, has created a sort of distance from the creative, centered, relaxed, spiritual side of me. So, even though there are about a million things I *need* to be doing right now (not to mention the articles I *should* be editing and drafting for work), I am making time for me.
After a morning walking in the woods with my favorite canine companion, I have found a glimmer of light peeking out from some source within allowing me to share a few thoughts related to the move. I am actually continuing a blog post started a few months ago, so it is a bit outdated and overdue.
During the summer, as I packed up my apartment and unpacked what did not break in the move, I was reminded of all the stuff I had, which I wrote about in another post. During the packing and moving process, so many well-meaning friends and family members wished me well, reminded me that I could be in a more "grown up" space, could eventually ditch the flip phone and upgrade, could afford to replace my futon from college, and even use that spare bedroom as a bedroom. I appreciated the support and encouragement of friends and family, during this process, but it made me think a lot about what was wrong with having old stuff. Was there something wrong with me for still having a futon? Was there something about being a "grown up" that equated to having nicer things?
My personal space has always been important to me. My decorations may not match or look like a picture perfect photo a la Martha Stewart, but the majority of the items in my home have some sentimental value. I have painted dishes from Grandma Pat, drawings from Papa John and Dad, intricate wooden dishes and boxes from Dad, a quilt made from my ASP t-shirts, plants from friends, and photos from all parts of my life. I feel like everything else is secondary. The feeling that because I am older and in a stable job (again), it's an opportunity to upgrade. When I asked a friend about this, she said that I should consider it more as a chance to own quality pieces of furniture--ones that will last. I do agree with that statement and I appreciated her point (I think she had a bruised rear end after sitting on my futon). But I also believe that knowing items can be fixed, refurnished, or dressed up can also provide a sustainable solution. I am less inclined to believe that some of the stuff that is made nowadays in mass production is truly of higher quality, but who is to say what quality even means anyways. I still have mixed feelings about the fact that I decided to spend money on a television, rather than something else of greater "value."
I go back and forth between this idea of moving up in this way. As we get older, we get more stuff. We buy new cars, houses, kids' toys, vacations, etc. I just wonder if there is a way to move forward, but in a way that is less of an impact on our resources, and gets away from the waste cycle we go through with our stuff. I don't know. I do know that, for me, the memories made playing in the park, taking a field trip to a U-Pick farm, walking in the woods, or filling my kitchen with the savory, sweet, and spicy sensations from my finest chili and pumpkin bread, create more long-lasting joyful memories than the time spent on my new (used) couch in front of my fancy (for me) television.
And now a few logistical moving tips:
-Use Craigslist to search for free boxes and then post there when you move so someone else can benefit from your free boxes.
-Take the time to recycle all of those boxes. I don't know how many times I walked by huge garbage bins full of boxes (often not even broken down) that are perfectly usable and could be recycled.
-Take the time to look into e-cycling in your community. In the haste of moving, we often throw out hazardous materials and electronics that we never quite got fixed or donated.
-Consider consigning items or donating to stores like Goodwill that serve multiple purposes in communities.
-If you are remodeling anything, look for a Habitat Re-Store near you. They often pick up building materials, resell them, and proceeds go to funding affordable housing in your area.
-Plan ahead so that the above ideas can be implemented, hassle-free.
