Growing up I moved every couple of years between the ages of 9 and 14. For me that meant 8 different schools and 4 different states. Adjusting was never easy. It always took me time to make friends and just as I was finding my way and settling in, I would learn of a new move.
Anyone that knows me knows I talk too too too much. I’ve believed it was a flaw in my personality, something created by all of my moves and needing to feel accepted.
Recently I’ve read several articles that attribute excessive talking to anxiety and other experiences. Not a single therapist I’ve ever seen has helped me conquer this trait that drives me crazy. Even though I’ve always asked for help with this. This is one of those articles.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I have always thought if I could live anywhere I wanted, I’d choose France. I’ve had a love affair with France since I was 11. However lately, I have begun to change my mind.
When I was 9 we moved from Oklahoma to Minnesota. It was a move in the US. Should be the same culturally right? What I shock to learn they sounded different, liked different food and would be asked my ethnic background. All my mother said, Well we are Heinz 57, a little bit of everything.
Then at age 11.5 we moved to Colorado. Now that would be more like Minnesota. It got snow. It was cold. Imagine my surprise when everyone wanted to know what my favorite winter sport was? I didn’t ski and snowboarding hadn’t been invented yet. By high school I became fully aware of the “uniform”. I wore Levi jeans, hiking boots and a sweater.
Then halfway through 9th grade we moved to Las Vegas. Yes that Las Vegas. Completely different climate, interests and clothing. Again I had a period of adjustment.
Two more moves came and I’ve been in Texas since 1985. I still haven’t become fully Texan. I don’t like the Cowboys. I don’t drink sweet tea or go to rodeos or wear big hair and lots of jewelry. And most importantly I do not say ya’ll.
But I learned I can adjust and feel at home anywhere. I’ve been in this current city for the past 9 years. And to be honest it doesn’t feel like home. I have no family here and I realized home is where those whom I love are.
With my children on opposite coastlines, I’m frozen. I’ve been unable to decide what to do. Stay? Move? Where to? Travel? I can’t even make a decision on when to retire.
So I don’t know where I’d live if I had the option to move.
What part of your routine do you always try to skip if you can?
Hmm, good question. I’d like to say my alarm but work prevents that during the week. And my cats prevent me sleeping in on the weekend.
I pay someone to do yard work but if I didn’t I would skip it.
I live by routine. I feel out of sorts if I don’t have a schedule, but after much thought it would be taking out the garbage and recycle to the curb. Since I live alone, that’s an easy one to skip. I only generate enough trash and recycle for once a month.
Invent a holiday! Explain how and why everyone should celebrate.
I vote for Lost in a Book Holiday. Why? It is a wonderful way to explore other lives, other places, other people,. You can learn how to do new things or better skills you already have. It’s a way to spend time with friends and family with little prep work.
Here is how you celebrate:
Every family member or friend picks a book or books
Gather snacks and beverages
Turn off all phones, TVs, computers and gaming devices
Create comfy spaces to read
Decide on designated break times and rotating schedules to read to non-readers.
Read, read, read
Share about your book with your family and friends.
Any date works, a hot summer day, a cold winter day, a rainy day or just a I don’t know what to do day.
My life on an unexpected path 