The Little Things
August 3, 2015
I’ve alluded to some big changes in my life recently, and dropped hints through a few posts, but today I wanted to actually write about this big change in my life: I’ve moved! There’s a lot I could say about the moving process, but that would take a ridiculous number of posts. I’ve been both really happy and really unhappy with the apartment I’ve lived in for the last 7 years since sometime in 2013. I’ve gotten increasingly frustrated with the noise around me (the old owner was good about cracking down on noise complaints, this owner isn’t at all) and the things that are now tolerated at the complex (which would’ve gotten people kicked out a few years ago- also a change with the new owner). With that, many long term residents have moved away, and I’ve strongly debated for the last year whether or not I wanted to move. I decided in May that moving was exactly what I needed to do, and I began a frantic search for a new place to move to- preferably a house that was in my price range to rent each month. After weeks and weeks of searching and not coming up with anything that would work, Melissa found a house that had just been posted that day online, and I immediately contacted the owner. It turns out that we had several mutual friends/co-workers/acquaintances in common, which I think we both appreciated (I was nervous to get into a bad renting situation with someone). I sped through the application process and found out in the middle of my bike ride on the Monon in June that I had gotten the house! I was filled immediately with relief, as the current neighbor situation had gotten to a very difficult place, and I was spending only 2-3 nights (at MOST) a week at my apartment. As you might remember, I ended up spending the end of June in Minnesota, the week of July 4th in Kansas, and part of a week in New York a few weeks ago. That obviously didn’t leave much time for packing. When I got back from Minnesota, I was only at my apartment for 6 hours- I had to unpack from that trip, repack for Kansas, and try to squeeze in some apartment packing as well. Needless to say, July turned out to be a hectic and crazy month, and I wasn’t sure I was going to get it all done.

Buff USAWearing my Buff while moving a ridiculous number of boxes.

My parents helped me move about 80% of my boxes over the house in the middle of July (the owner let me move quite a bit in 2 weeks before I started renting- I just couldn’t have access to those boxes during that time), and a group of friends helped me move all my furniture and remaining boxes the last weekend of July (it was my first time renting a UHaul!). (Words can’t express how thankful I am to all of them for giving up hours of their lives to help me out- I couldn’t have done it on my own!) I spent a few days cleaning out my new house and my apartment, and my hands are in rough shape now from all the digging and chemicals- yuck!

turning in keys moving out Friends shot

Turning in my keys Friends style…

I’ve turned in the old keys to my apartment now, and it’s a surreal feeling. When I walked into that apartment, I could only dream of what it would be like to be a counselor (I hadn’t seen a client yet at that point!). I would’ve still said that I hated running, and I had no intention of ever getting on a bike again. While in that apartment I started this blog, fell in love with running, fell in love with biking, and worked hard to become the best counselor I could be. I got over my fear of public speaking in that apartment, even traveling internationally to speak. I treasure the memories there, the hard situations that taught me great lessons and grew me, and the person I became while there. It was hard to let that place go.

winter sunrise

Also- these amazing morning sunrises!

But sometimes holding onto something that’s dysfunctional and unhealthy just because it has some good memories and it was a good thing isn’t the right decision, and I realized that. I’m now renting a cute little house with quite a bit of character, and besides the mountains of boxes that I’m living in right now, I’m pretty happy. The change wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be, but it hasn’t been completely easy either. My personality type is one that doesn’t love change- I desire stability and a sense of order to my world. Moving includes none of that, so as I’m unpacking I’m trying to find a reasonable order for things. There are some perks of moving! I’ve finally fixed my internet so I have wifi again (my wifi broke a few years ago and I never bothered to fix it- so I’ve been plugging in for those years- ridiculous, right?). I bought a FLAT SCREEN TV (I’ve previously been using a huge old box TV) and can now watch Netflix on the TV. Because of that, I cut down my cable, and am saving about $45 a month (meaning that TV will be “paid off” in less than a year). I’m enjoying some of these new conveniences, and my friends are getting a kick out of watching me enter into the modern technological age (one text I got said “welcome to 2007!”. hahaha). Mostly I’m hoping that this will be a place of peace, where I’m not woken up by screaming, throwing, dogs yapping for 5-8 hours straight, and where I don’t have to drown my life out in noise to avoid listening to my neighbors’ every moves. I now have a yard that I’m in charge of, and have mowed for the first time this millennium. 🙂 So that’s what’s REALLY been going on in my life. Underneath the traveling, working each week, biking, running, and hanging out with friends, this summer has really been defined by moving- by packing, unpacking, forwarding mail, and changing my address (OH MY GOSH- the list of places I have to change my address for is ridiculous. I don’t understand how people move every few years!). This summer didn’t turn out exactly like I thought I would, but hopefully all this additional work and stress will lead to a more peaceful and calm year! I’ve also concluded I have way too much stuff. Yikes. Now it’s your turn to share! When was the last time you moved? To you enjoy the process of moving, or does it overwhelm you? 
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11 responses to “Moving Up!”

  1. Cassie says:
    August 3, 2015 at 8:21 am

    How exciting! Sometimes a fresh start is just what we need!

    • littlethingscaroline@gmail.com says:
      August 3, 2015 at 9:05 pm

      Exactly! I do love fresh starts even though I don’t like changes.

  2. Melissa says:
    August 3, 2015 at 9:47 am

    I’m so excited for you and this change! I think that once you get settled, you’re going to be SO GLAD you decided to move ahead with it! 🙂

    • littlethingscaroline@gmail.com says:
      August 3, 2015 at 9:05 pm

      Thank you thank you 🙂 And also- thanks for finding the house in the first place 🙂

  3. Emilie says:
    August 3, 2015 at 10:25 am

    Congratulations on your new home! Moving is equal parts stressful and exciting. I’ve moved a lot in the last few years but luckily now that we own our house we won’t be moving anytime soon. I like the unpacking/organizing aspect of settling into a new home and knowing where everything is. It’s also a great opportunity to purge unnecessary items. But still, change is hard and adjusting to a new routine/location takes some time to get used to.

    • littlethingscaroline@gmail.com says:
      August 3, 2015 at 9:05 pm

      Thanks Emilie! I agree with the equal parts stress and exciting! I’m definitely rotating between the two. It must be fantastic to know that you are settled for at least a few years.

  4. Rachel Denler says:
    August 3, 2015 at 11:00 am

    Congrats on the new place! I’m sure it’ll be a really good fit. I know what you mean about change- it’s really challenging but usually always worth it!

    Having your own lawn=heaven! And no one on top of you banging around all the time= bliss!

    • littlethingscaroline@gmail.com says:
      August 3, 2015 at 8:57 pm

      Thank you Rachel! I’m definitely hoping it’ll be worth it in the end. I actually enjoy doing yard work, so I’ve been enjoying it! And I definitely am enjoying not hearing others’ live!

  5. Abby @backatsquare0 says:
    August 3, 2015 at 10:26 pm

    Congrats on the new place!!!

  6. The Little Things says:
    August 25, 2015 at 2:45 am

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