When Derik and I moved from West Virginia to Texas, we had a short time frame in between. A month before we moved, we each had one job interview. Two weeks later we accepted both jobs, moved out of WV, drove the 24 hour drive with two cars full of everything we owned, moved into a tiny apartment downtown, and started our new life. It didn't leave much time for contemplating, reminiscing, worrying, etc.
This time, we made the official decision to move 5 months before we will actually leave. The unofficial decision was made a few months before that. So we have been mentally preparing, reminiscing, worrying, all of the things people do when transitioning from one season to another for several months. I think I prefer the first way we went about things because, still being 6 weeks out from actually leaving, it's sad. It has been sad for a while now, thinking about leaving all of the things that have made this place home to us.
Anyone who has moved far away can probably attest to the roller coast that is experienced in the first 6 months. It's exciting, sad, frightening, wonderful, lonely, shocking, overwhelming, for the entire first 6 months (at least in my experience). After that, you seem to have a better grip on a community, you know your way around the city, things and people look familiar, and by one year, you start to call it "home" and actually mean it.
Austin, it's not you. It's us. We absolutely love you but we are adventurers and it's time to embark on the next one. This is not goodbye, this is truly see ya later.
We have been pondering how to end this season well. At first, we were inclined to do everything we haven't yet done, so as not to leave with regrets. Finally go to that restaurant we have heard about since we arrived but have never tried, visit that place that is on every Austin tourist blog but we still haven't gone to, and maybe even visit a nearby city because we won't be down this way for a while so might as well go now. And we might do some of those things, but it's not actually going to fulfill the void we have started to feel about leaving.
We have asked each other- "What will you miss most about Austin?" and "What has been your favorite part about living here?". Derik responds with tacos and the warm weather. I respond with the friends and the community we have built. What is that saying... men are from mars..? Anyways, so in these next weeks, our goal is to soak up as much time and as many experiences as we can with the community we currently have in Austin. People are what turn a place into a home. And maybe those people will also want to eat tacos.
Another thing about being close yet far from leaving is finding balance between the present and future. It can be hard to focus on what we have here and now when are also planning the next radventure. Living in the moment is something we have to be consciously making an effort to do- it does not come naturally. So here goes! We're coming into the final stretch.
This time, we made the official decision to move 5 months before we will actually leave. The unofficial decision was made a few months before that. So we have been mentally preparing, reminiscing, worrying, all of the things people do when transitioning from one season to another for several months. I think I prefer the first way we went about things because, still being 6 weeks out from actually leaving, it's sad. It has been sad for a while now, thinking about leaving all of the things that have made this place home to us.
Anyone who has moved far away can probably attest to the roller coast that is experienced in the first 6 months. It's exciting, sad, frightening, wonderful, lonely, shocking, overwhelming, for the entire first 6 months (at least in my experience). After that, you seem to have a better grip on a community, you know your way around the city, things and people look familiar, and by one year, you start to call it "home" and actually mean it.
Austin, it's not you. It's us. We absolutely love you but we are adventurers and it's time to embark on the next one. This is not goodbye, this is truly see ya later.
We have been pondering how to end this season well. At first, we were inclined to do everything we haven't yet done, so as not to leave with regrets. Finally go to that restaurant we have heard about since we arrived but have never tried, visit that place that is on every Austin tourist blog but we still haven't gone to, and maybe even visit a nearby city because we won't be down this way for a while so might as well go now. And we might do some of those things, but it's not actually going to fulfill the void we have started to feel about leaving.
We have asked each other- "What will you miss most about Austin?" and "What has been your favorite part about living here?". Derik responds with tacos and the warm weather. I respond with the friends and the community we have built. What is that saying... men are from mars..? Anyways, so in these next weeks, our goal is to soak up as much time and as many experiences as we can with the community we currently have in Austin. People are what turn a place into a home. And maybe those people will also want to eat tacos.
Another thing about being close yet far from leaving is finding balance between the present and future. It can be hard to focus on what we have here and now when are also planning the next radventure. Living in the moment is something we have to be consciously making an effort to do- it does not come naturally. So here goes! We're coming into the final stretch.
Love this! Favorite part is"People are what turn a place into he. And maybe those people will also want to eat tacos." I will eat tacos with you all anytime. Praying the Transition is smooth and a time of growth and maturity as a couple.
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