• Moving on

    Posted on June 13th, 2010 Saver Queen 5 comments

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    I took the above photo at a yoga & meditation retreat I attended recently. Actually, it was the same retreat I attended last year. Long-term readers will remember what was going on in my life right around that time. There’s been many changes in my life over the last year. This was an opportunity for me to not only feel more mindful and present, but to engage in a little self-reflection.

    The gardens had wild rose bushes as you can see above. Wild roses are my favourite. I first discovered them on a hike in Newfoundland:

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    Wild Rose in Tickle Cove, Newfoundland

    At the retreat, our instructor had written out little affirmations that we could pick from an envelope; they were statements that we could reflect on during our practice.  I picked one that said, “now is the perfect time to let go.”

    This weekend, I am letting go.  I’m packing. In a couple of weeks, I will literally be moving on. I’m not changing cities, but I am changing apartments. My current apartment is beautiful, but housing costs take up 65% of my income (every time I think about that I hear a line from TTDUP ring in my head: “No one can afford to spend 65% of their income on housing!” My new apartment lacks the luxuries of my current place, but will give me a little more financial breathing room. It will also be a change - a good change - as it’s an opportunity to say goodbye to some of the ghosts of my past. It will be a new space, and all my own.

    Packing is not easy. You discover things you had long forgotten about - old photos, to-do lists, letters, trinkets, and they are all loaded with memories. In studying an object that you see every day, contemplating what to do with it, you realize that something you long considered benign is actually heavy with meaning. Packing is like lifting up a log in the forrest - you see all little insects crawling around underneath it that have long gone unnoticed.

    As I write this, I sit comfortably on my loveseat, which faces the balcony.  It is close enough to see the water droplets hanging on the balcony railing. The view is all green - green trees for miles. On my balcony I’m growing herbs. Butternut watches the plants shake in the wind. I can hear the birds singing proudly. Their joyful songs dwarf any lingering traffic noise. My apartment is a perfect retreat. I hope that in my new place I can recreate the same kind of peace.

    MIndfulness
     

    5 responses to “Moving on”

    1. Angela June 13th, 2010 at 17:11

      What yoga retreat was it? Just curious. I’ve yet to go on a yoga retreat here in Canada although I see a fair few advertised in the health magazine “vitality.”

      Good luck with the move. I’m contemplating a move and can so relate to your comments. I made the mistake of viewing a really nice place which was slightly out of my budget - and everything I’ve seen since I haven’t liked as much! It’s hard. The most important thing for me is a quiet place - and peace and quiet seem so hard to get these days - as well, where I live at the moment has noisy neighbours and I’m such a light sleeper too.

      My biggest clutter (to sort out before moving) is paper - I have masses of paper everywhere and feel like I would have to file and sort for a month in order to get it all straight before I move! It actually feels overwhelming - what helps you let go of stuff and sort it out? If you have any tips on organising paper piles I’d love to hear them!

    2. Catherine June 13th, 2010 at 20:44

      Enjoyed your reflections SQ - especially about the log in the forest - I’ve never thought of it that way.
      Best wishes to you on your move. It will not be an easy change, but, I know that with all your talents you will make it your own and feel very comfortable and content there with Butternut.
      We’ve lived here since 1975. Can you imagine how much I will have to go through to move? It is coming, maybe in a year. So, I am going to try very hard to be ruthless in decluttering - I’ll be in touch ;o)

    3. Amber June 14th, 2010 at 00:23

      Best wishes to you in your new start. I’m sure that it will be a good thing in the long run. But I can understand that change isn’t easy, all the same.

    4. Tracey June 21st, 2010 at 19:54

      such a poignant post SQ…sending my best thoughts for a perfect transition and much happiness in the new place…and beyond.
      Love and good thoughts…
      traceyx0x.

    5. Nancy June 23rd, 2010 at 14:54

      You will create peace in your new apartment. You are peace. See you soon. xo

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