Moving SUCKS.
But only in the literal sense that packing everything is a hassle, moving boxes is a constant back ache and squatting in your current home is just not ideal. Moving is plain stressful, I’ve done it already so many times I’ve had to keep a Google Doc of addresses of the places I’ve lived because there is simply no way I will ever remember them! *Life hack right there*
I’ve never truly minded though, not once I’m finally to my destination and unpacking everything. Then a sort of calm overcomes you and you’re coming to peace, having no problem with just giving stuff away that has no use or you just don’t want to hold onto it anymore. This time moving was so different.
Flashback.
When I first moved to North Carolina, I moved because I was secretly wanting to get my ex away from a girlfriend he continuously cheated on me with … yeah shit just got real. But no seriously, that’s how I ended up here in the first place, but I did love it in North Carolina aside from that. The mountains, the lakes, the cityscape of Charlotte. Florida didn’t match my liking at all, which is partially because it’s hot as Hades ALL THE TIME, but I also blame my growing up half in Minnesota and then half in Florida for my dislike.
I loved seasons, and in Florida there’s only one season all year round. No changing of leaves, no color schemes, just random rain storms in the middle of the day, and lizards. I’m not one for reptiles at all, oh not to mention endless amounts of snakes just waiting outside your door. *I wish I were kidding*
But Seriously.
Florida may suit some people; I moved back there in 2016 because of financial issues my ex and I were going through, and moved back in with my parents, which actually wasn’t so bad. I had a different outlook on it for sure, but I think it was that my viewpoint was only temporary. I knew I wasn’t staying there permanently and that I would be moving back once I got my life back in order.
Fast Forward to 2018.
This time, moving was refreshing; it was a chance full of opportunities and happiness. It wasn’t forced, it wasn’t thoroughly planned, it just happened. I mean no ill-will against Charlotte, I had some good times there but also a lot of bad times. I got married there, but also divorced. I made mistakes there, but I also moved on from them. Moving this time around was a shot at freedom and the pursuit of the life I’ve always wanted and I know that I’m not staying here permanently either.
I downsized not just one house, but two – into a one bedroom apartment in the heart of Historic Wilmington… the week AFTER Hurricane Florence hit. Talk about the right time to move!
Adventures Await.
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how much I have loved it here, being 10 minutes from the beach, 5 minutes from beautiful historical buildings, and not to mention having EVERYTHING close to me. Trust me, when you go from a 30 – 45 minute drive depending on traffic just to get to the nearest Target, you will definitely appreciate being within 10 minutes of one.
So far I have woken up to watch the sunrise on the beach, watched numerous sunsets, and have seen dolphins at both as well. I’ve walked along sandy beach dunes with small picket fences, gotten back into my good eating and workout habits and climbed ginormous rocks just to feel the spray of the ocean.
This is just the first stop of many in our plan for climate chasing, but so far it has been pure bliss and I cannot wait to have all kinds of experiences and memories made here. I was definitely meant to live outside the box, settling isn’t my best trait and I intend to wander to my heart’s content in the pursuit of happiness.
