Moving Pains

After doing the math, I've realized this is the eleventh time I've moved in the last five years. I wish that were a joke. But since I left my small hometown to attend university in the fall of 2008, I've moved twice each year--at the beginning of summer and again in the fall. Let's break this down:

1. Fall '08: Moved to Fort Worth to begin college
2. Summer '09: Moved back to my hometown (Sealy) to work for the summer
3. Fall '09: Back to school in Fort Worth
4. Summer '10: Studied abroad with Semester at Sea in the Mediterranean
5. Fall '10: Fort Worth
6. Summer '11: Germany for a three-month internship
7. Fall '12: Fort Worth
8. Summer '12: Sealy
9. Fall '12: Moved to Australia 
10. Summer '13: Came back home to Sealy
11. Fall '13: Moved to Dallas

Moving is exhausting in every way possible. In addition to the physical defeat that comes with repeatedly packing and unpacking your life into boxes and suitcases, there's also an emotional toll involved. This is especially true when you're uncertain of whether you're making the right move or if you'll see the friends you've said goodbye to again.

This most recent move to Dallas has seemed like the most challenging one yet, which is ridiculous considering it's within my own home state. But my move here was quick and unpremeditated. And I didn't arrive to a backpacker hostel or college dormitory, where it's easy to make new acquaintances who are all in the same boat. Similarly, apartment leases are no longer in sync with school semesters, so for the first time in five years, I'm living without a roommate (or two or seven). 

I was lucky enough throughout college to have most of my furniture and household supplies provided as a part of my living arrangement. The few appliances and items I did own were sold in a garage sale last summer to help me fund my travels, so when I moved into my little 1BR flat, I had to completely start from scratch. One month later, and I'm still sleeping on an air mattress and eating breakfast on an ironing board, while my kitchen supplies are a mix of camping cutlery (spork anyone?) and take out boxes. And to be honest, I'm kind of okay with that right now. 

Anytime I think about buying a piece of furniture or a mattress, I consider the opportunity cost--a plane ticket to visit a friend. Besides, once you have furniture, moving becomes a whole new ball game. So for the time being, I'll continue living à la Holly Golightly, where there's no furniture in sight, but plenty of milk and champagne in the fridge.