7 Life Lessons From Moving

Moving is often cited as one of the most stressful events you’ll face (just behind death and divorce). It can be messy, is often driven by the actions of only one family member and is a very costly endeavor.

Having just completed the fifteenth (and longest) move of my adult life, I decided to take a markedly different approach. These are the lessons I learned along the way.

Lesson 1: Pick A Destination

This takes time, focus and a willingness to look at the realities of your situation through untainted glasses. Make lists. Do research. Talk with those who have already “arrived”. Be honest and allow the emotions to flow. After all, you’re about to change your life.

Lesson 2: Take Stock Of What You Have

Inventory everything. Dust off those items/issues/passions that you haven’t pulled out of the closet for years. You might be surprised to find things that you either thought you had lost or perhaps forgot you ever had. Take a hard look and decide what’s worth keeping.

Lesson 3: Discard Everyone Everything That’s No Longer Useful

Get rid of the clutter before you begin your journey. Address those storage spaces which hold what you’ve never been able to let go. Why keep dragging these things around if they’re no longer of value? Use this opportunity to purge with purposeful abandon.

Lesson 4: Get Professional Help

Sure, you can try and do this on your own, but chances are you’re ill equipped to pull it off successfully. Avoid getting hurt and call in the professionals. You don’t do this everyday. They do. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Lesson 5: Stay Focused And Drive

Distractions and complications are par for the course so your diligence and tenacity will be put to the test. Keep your hands on the wheel. Adjust along the way. As long as you continue to press forward, your destination is that much closer.

Lesson 6: Talk To People Along The Way

Change is hard and it pays to visit with complete strangers for a fresh perspective. Take time to pull over, rest up and share a meal or coffee. The more you talk about where you’re headed, the more real it will become. Sharing can set an expectation with others that you may feel an obligation to fulfill.

Lesson 7: Celebrate Your Arrival

I know… you’re tired. It’s been a long and arduous journey and there’s still work to be done. But guess what? You did it!! So pat yourself on the back, kick up your heels and celebrate your arrival. Then, when the balloons run low on air and the confetti gets swept, breathe and enjoy your success. You deserve it.

Mark Stelzner just logged 3,000 miles in a small sedan with his wife and two dogs. As a result, he and the cast/crew of Inflexion Advisors are proud to call San Francisco their new home. He promises this is the last he’ll speak of his move and he’s certain that everyone is sick of hearing about it. Still, he learned something, and for a prematurely gray former voice actor, that’s not a bad outcome.