Recently the Husband and I started talking about moving instead of staying where we are for the next year. As much as I hate moving, I can’t help but really want a fresh start.
A new place, a new beginning, a new routine. A chance at “starting over” – eating healthy, building a new routine around a new exciting place, each taking on house-hold responsibilities, managing our money better and letting go of some of the baggage we had when we first moved in together in the current place. Plus, if we could save a few hundred or more a month, it would be a total win.
We’re looking at an apartment this weekend and it would be just for a year if we like it until we can buy something. I can’t help but become really excited about it.
And then there’s this nagging thought in the back of my mind… is it a fresh start or am I just running away? Can there be a benefit to running away and starting fresh, or does it just follow you and end up in the new place?
I guess it depends on the situation.
Sometimes, the fresh start really can kick you into changing – re-invigorating you, giving space to what were the issues before, a restart button. I guess the important part is to know what the issues were, and how to make sure they don’t happen in the new scenario, or you’ll end up in the same place – just different scenery.
I’ve noticed this a lot with friends recently too. A current friend who almost moved for a job relocation, but didn’t, and then told me at dinner the other night she was a little sad she didn’t take the opportunity. She said if she had gone to the new location she could have focused on herself, went to the gym more, slept more, had fewer social obligations. To me I just don’t understand – why not do that in your current situation? If you want that change, and it’s important to you, start making it happen.
Another few friends who are having some growing pains after living together for years. There’s too much detail and depth to go into it, but one has (somewhat abruptly) decided to move away for the summer, and when she comes back, they will no longer be living together. Maybe space will be a really good thing giving them some time to breathe, but at the same time, it doesn’t change what the issues are…it just creates a little distance. Without communicating about it, the distance could just push them apart even further, essentially ruining years of friendship.
I can’t help but say it, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. The grass is greener where you water it.
Pursuit of Happiness 