Insanity: 30 Degrees East

Facebook blog photo
 

I quit.

Famous. Last. Words.

But yes, I wanted to quit.

You have no idea how close I came to closing the door. Poof, gone, voila. The hosting for my website came up for renewal. It had been two months since my last post. Two months since I typed a single word for that matter.

But why? What had happened to cause such inactivity?

I moved. I had packed up my belongings, threw them into a U-Haul truck and landed thirty degrees east, in the desert. And when I say thirty degrees, I’m talking Fahrenheit. Let me tell you, this is so not the beach!

Insanity.

Yes, moving is insane. I had all the negative sentiments that all of us have during the process. There were lots of boxes, wrapping, packing and unpacking. Needless to say, I was not a happy girl. Not one bit.

Then I began to mope. And I do not look good in that color. You know, mopey is not all glitter and sparkles. It’s dingy, dull and downright ugly.

Thus I decided to take a closer look at “insane” and see if I could rise above the insanity. After all, just because I feel a little crazy doesn’t mean I have to be unreasonable and senseless. That would be ridiculous, right?

Here’s what I found:

I- Inspire

There is no better way to be inspired than to make a move. Especially if you’re forced to move, you have little choice in the matter. There is no time for procrastination. So why not look at it as another avenue for creativity. ☺

N- Novel

Breathe in the prospect of new possibilities. Think fresh, think innovative! Think of all the new things you’ll experience firsthand.

S- Serendipity

Find value in the gift of discovery. This is a chance to fall into like with somewhere new. Will all our problems go away? Well, maybe. Maybe not. But it’s an opportunity to push the restart button. So go for it!

A- Adaptable

Embrace the change. This may mean we need to accept and embrace whatever comes our way. It’s part of the unknown, yet isn’t that what makes life so interesting?

N- Neat

I chose this word because this is one of the most challenging things about making a move. There is a certain discomfort in letting go. It’s familiar; it’s what we know. Yet, it can be liberating and make all the difference in our new world.

E- Enjoy

Did you notice that joy is part of the word Enjoy? The prefix “En” means to surround itself within the route word. So are we surrounding ourselves with joy? A move can be a successful experience, beneficial and enjoyable, an insane gift with greater opportunities.

11063915_1637918536429305_6785733640930812113_n
(Courtesy of Memories Facebook Community)

So while I adjust to the thirty degree change east in the desert, I have decided to embrace the insanity and celebrate it for everything that it is. And why not? I think I’m beginning to adjust to all the craziness that goes on in my life.

How about you?

What do you think? Have you cleaned out the garage or moved lately? Have you ever gone a little crazy with spring cleaning? Do you find it uncomfortable to unload those perhaps unnecessary items? Or do you feel relieved? What do you do to keep yourself inspired and sane?

Cheers everyone! I hope that life is treating you well. And as always, thank you so much for all your support and wonderful comments!
Karen

27 thoughts on “Insanity: 30 Degrees East

  1. Pat O'Dea Rosen

    Thank you for this post, Karen. I’m in the process of moving from my house in which my children grew up. The place is full of memories–and stuff. Getting rid of some things feels good. I want to simplify, but it’s not easy.

    I’m going to take your advice and enjoy the process, if not the minor backaches. Meanwhile, I hope you find yourself a desert mascot to match Murphy’s cheek.
    Pat O’Dea Rosen recently posted..Soup, Soup EverywhereMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Karen Post author

      Hi Pat! Oh my, yes, your move involves a little more than just shuffling furniture and boxes around. That’s a tough one my friend. I had to do that a few years ago. That just added to the emotional drama of the move. But it does help to rid ourselves of the excess baggage. And when we arrive at our new place, we can start fresh and make new memories. There will be lots of them, believe me. Those kids will come home for visits. We live for those moments. Here’s hoping that your move will be successful! ((Hugs)) 🙂

      Reply
  2. Jennifer Jensen

    Congrats on the move, and on a new blog post! I can relate to both, especially as my posts have dwindled recently.

    I moved a lot growing up, and then during my husband’s Navy years and beyond. Perhaps it was the growing up moves that set the stage for my attitude: most of the time, moving is an adventure to me. New places, new people, and I could always see old friends when I went back to visit. The hard part is being left behind when someone *else* moves! Oh – and when we finally settled down, I made my husband promise I could remodel or build a barn or something about every 3 years to keep from going stir crazy.

    It’s changed as I’ve gotten older. I’m still up for adventure, especially if we could ever go overseas again, but that’s with someone else packing us up. The last time we moved houses locally, I swore I would take an axe to the baby grand before I did it again!

    Good luck settling in and coping with the heat, and here’s to unpacked boxes and a beautiful, newly-organized home to relax in.
    Jennifer Jensen recently posted..Shimmer of Time Goes on the Road (and I Do Too)My Profile

    Reply
    1. Karen Post author

      Hi Jennifer! Thank you for the support. Ooh, you did move a lot. Thanks for sharing your great attitude with us. And yes, leaving our friends behind it one of the most difficult parts of the move. *sniff* I miss them already. But unboxing and getting acclimated in our new place has been a great help. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Denise D. Young

    Karen, I totally understand. I’m getting ready to move in a couple months, and I’m already stressed. We’re trying to find someone to take over our apartment lease, and I’m worried we’ll end up with a rent payment and a mortgage payment at the same time. Stressful! I’ve gotten rid of a ton of stuff in preparation for the move, and I do feel good about that. I feel…lighter. So it’s not all stressful, and I am excited about the new place. 🙂 Despite the craziness I’m trying to stick to my writing schedule as much as possible. I have a project I want to finish this summer, so I’m really digging in.

    I hope you’re all settled after your move. Here’s to many wonderful blog posts ahead!
    Denise D. Young recently posted..Back after a blogging break: ROW80 midweek check-inMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Karen Post author

      Hey Denise! I’m sorry it took me so long to respond to you. I’m blaming it on the move! Oh, you’re moving too. I can see your concern. Try to see if your landlord will write a new leasing contract if the interested person qualifies. That may help take the burden off of your shoulders. I’ve heard this has worked in other cases. Yet, you seem to be on the ball with the prep work. It’s difficult, but if of course the more you get rid of, the less you have to move. Smart girl. I hope your move goes smoothly. ((Hugs)) 🙂

      Reply
  4. Coleen Patrick

    Always happy to get to read a post from you, Karen. Thanks as always for the inspiration. And I hope you’re doing well through all this change. We are in the early stages of moving from the house we’ve lived in for the past 20 years. Bittersweet. So much change this past year! But I know you get it. Hugs, Karen.
    Coleen Patrick recently posted..Attitude and Success (at the Zoo and Beyond)My Profile

    Reply
    1. Karen Post author

      Oh Coleen, yes, you are right. I do get it. We also moved from our house of twenty years. Bittersweet is an understatement my dear friend. Wow, lots of things are happening under your household. Yet, I must say, that in a way, it was so freeing to sift through “the stuff” that we tend to feel is important to keep. Though only to find out later, it wasn’t all that important after all. We threw out tons of stuff. Although some of it was donated. Less to move! May the force be with you Coleen! And stay insane! See, it’s okay to be crazy! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Diane Capri

    Karen, I was so tickled to see your blog pop up in my email! Nice to see your smiling face again! As for moving….uh…..we’ll, once again, you’re a better woman than I am. I HATE moving. I haven’t actually moved (if you don’t count the twice-a-year snowbird migration) in 24 years!!! And yes, the clutter is THE WORST. Some days, I wish someone would invent a giant vacuum that could hook up to the front door and suck all of this clutter out and let me start over completely. Sure, moving does that, too. Except then I actually have to do the work. Ugh!
    Diane Capri recently posted..Do You Yawn When You Travel?My Profile

    Reply
    1. Karen Post author

      Well, I am tickled that you came by to see me Diane! And may I just say that I have not done anything out of the ordinary. I am not fond of moving myself. So I decided to take some positive steps as you can see to rectify my negative attitude. See, I write these post so they apply to everyone, including me! lol. I think I am allergic to clutter. Drives me nuts! In some way, the move help to get rid of a lot of unnecessary things. May the force be with you my friend. Happy decluttering! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Kelly Byrne

    Oh Karen, thank you for putting a positive spin on one of the most stressful life events. I know of which I speak when it comes to moving. In my twenties, I moved no less than 30 times. Yes, I was running from the law.

    I kid. I was definitely running from something, but as the old adage goes, ‘wherever you go, there you are.’ No running away from yourself. Lesson learned, but it took me a while.

    I’m thrilled to see you finding the positive in the pain (the literal and figurative here) of moving and spinning it around to be a great new opportunity for you. That’s wonderful. I do hope you have air conditioning, though. 😉
    Kelly Byrne recently posted..Teacher PredatorMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Karen Post author

      Hey Kelly! Oh my, you have moved a lot. So you know how hard it can be. Total insanity! Although as you can see, I have a new attitude girlfriend! And yes, thank God, I have air-conditioning, or I don’t think I could stand to live here. I’m not that tough. But I’m trying to keep it positive! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Patricia Sands

    How nice to see you back here, Karen. Moves can do bad things to us, but ultimately change is good. I think you found that out from the sound of this post. Onward!

    Reply
    1. Karen Post author

      Bonjour Patricia! Thank you for coming by to see me while in the midst of writing your latest book from France! Uh yeah, the moving kind of kicked my butt girl. I am in recovery mode as we speak. But things are looking up. Onward! Yes indeed! 🙂

      Reply
    1. Karen Post author

      No worries Kassandra. You are always welcome here. I promise no harm will befall you. I always look forward to your comments! ((Hugs))

      Reply
  8. Kassandra Lamb

    Okay, I am a totally weird person who loves to move. Do you want to know why? Because it brings out the adventuress in me and I naturally have all of those attitudes you outline here.

    I have always seen moving as an exciting new adventure, an opportunity to experience new things. I especially like the settling in process, when I get to decide where to put my stuff and how I want to decorate each room. It’s like life has become a shiny new thing!

    So glad you discovered this new perspective. It will serve you well!
    Kassandra Lamb recently posted..How Random!My Profile

    Reply
    1. Karen Post author

      You are so not weird Kassandra! Lol! I love that you’re adventurous! Although I think you embody those attitudes a lot more than me. You’ve got them down girl! I will say that I do enjoy the settling process too. My background is design, so I love decorating each room. I love repurposing my own things and making them pop in a whole new way. It’s the packing that I think can be the most difficult. And as I mentioned, letting go of the things we no longer need. So things around here are looking up. It’s all in the way we look at things, isn’t it? 🙂

      Reply
  9. Jennette Marie Powell

    Just the thought of moving makes me tired! So I have extra admiration for you, for getting it done on top of all of life’s everyday challenges! I have lived in the same house for over 20 years, and desperately need to declutter. Unfortunately, that is something I have neither the time nor energy for right now. Maybe when I retire from the day job–yeah, right! LOL I can hope. And hope it doesn’t take a move to force me to do it, as is the case with most people I think.

    Love your attitude through all this, and how you can find the good side. Here’s hoping your new home is wonderful!
    Jennette Marie Powell recently posted..Birthday Week UpdateMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Karen Post author

      I am so with you girl! Jennette, it is almost scary when you haven’t decluttered. Lol! I mean, that’s what a move forces us to do. As much as we all cringe at the thought of taking on that task, once we get started, it is so freeing. Truly, that is the one part that I appreciate about moving. But other than that, it’s questionable. But I am turning over a new leaf. Got to keep it positive my friend! 🙂

      Reply
  10. prudencemacleod

    Hi Karen, so glad to see you back. Having moved fourteen times in the past twenty years I can relate. Moving sucks and all too often you end up someplace you would not have expected or desired. However, I have always admired your upbeat spirit and your definition of insanity is golden proof of that. So, here’s my wish for you. May your new home bring you new and unexpected delights, brighter insights, and a U-Haul load of blessings.
    prudencemacleod recently posted..New Stuff From Down On The FarmMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Karen Post author

      So you can relate Prudence. And yes, I did not expect nor did I desire to move at this time. It was just something else on top of everything else that gone on in our life. But we made it. And now we’re in recovery mode. I have moved a lot in my life also. Thus, the adjusted attitude. Thank you for your very kind wishes. They are always appreciated! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Julia

    Your INSANE discoveries are good rules of thumb for life in general, not just moving.

    May your new home be filled with joy, and just enough insanity to make things fun. Hope you’re beginning to feel settled, and you’ve found all your favorite pans and summer wear in the packing boxes.

    Cheers —

    Reply
    1. Karen Post author

      Ha, ha, Julia, yes, I am insane. Or maybe it’s just my thoughts that are insane. Getting settled is still in the works. But I did find my favorite pans and summer wear. I think I’m ready now. At least I hope so! Cheers right back atcha my friend! 🙂

      Reply
    1. Karen Post author

      Yes Dale, it does. But I’m working on a new attitude as you can see. Although, not our forever home, it is meant to be temporary. But you know how that goes. I am keeping my chin up and making the best of this situation! 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

CommentLuv badge

Click to "Follow Me" and receive new posts by email