New Digs

Moving is an exercise in patience. It doesn’t matter how organized you are, self-control is mandatory if you want to achieve the best possible outcome.

I consider myself a pretty organized individual, creating lists, etc. With 10 moves behind me, and one significant one across the country, you would think I’d be an expert, but that level is impossible to achieve, especially when you factor in age.

Don’t misunderstand me because I am a savvy mover, but with age comes trepidation. Yes, age plays a key role, especially when you are at the mercy of young packers and movers who think they know everything there is to know about moving. Even with the most experienced, careful movers, I’ve had heirlooms destroyed, a heartbreaking experience. I think you can now understand my nervousness.

With this particular move, everything was quick because the owner of my previous condominium unit was eager to renovate and sell. I loved my 100 year old apartment and really made it into something special, and owning it was a real possibility, but the age of the building, future repairs, special assessments and common sense told me this was not my best option.

Within one month, a new place was found and here I am sharing my experience.

Choreographing the move came with unplanned extra steps, which increased my apprehension, adding a layer of frustration I didn’t anticipate. Still, I did not lose my cool.

My new home, a modern high-rise condominium created by Mies van der Rohe, is just what I was looking for. The latter sounds a little pretentious, but that’s not my intention. My goal with that one simple statement is to communicate my love affair with great architecture and architects. 

If I have any immediate challenges, it’s downsizing from 1,257 sq ft to 869 sq ft, and owning enough "stuff" to fill a 2,000 sq ft space. By no means am I a hoarder. Everything I own I use. Yes, I use my 300 dinner plates (okay, I don’t own 300, but definitely 299).

Strange to say, but for the past few years I’ve been thinking about tiny house living. It sounds appealing, and it’s still an option, but not at this stage of my life, yet some downsizing is.

Before moving, I had to make serious decisions. All I could think about this past month was keep, toss or maybe. Now that I am, for the most part, moved, those three words are haunting me, and so close to Halloween, too. I am now forced into a self-intervention; revisiting keep and toss because maybe is not an option anymore.

I’m sure I’ll come up with a reasonable solution, one that doesn’t involve renting five offsite storage units because I’ve been down that road before. I’m fond of the expression, use it or lose it, and it’s time for me to do one or the other without delineating.

For now, I am content, but those unopened boxes in my living room, den and bedroom will have to be dealt with at some point. They do make for excellent makeshift tables, just add a tablecloth, and I’ve got plenty of those. 

The pandemic is creating a slight problem for me, too. I’ve ordered furniture, but it won’t arrive for weeks to months. At times, I do enjoy improvising. So, for now, I am content with an air mattress, makeshift tables and zero gravity chairs. Living high up, the sunsets and night sky are at times breathtaking. I am contemplating ditching the drapes and letting my windows do what they do best, shine. Although, that morning sun can be super intense. I’ll worry about that another day.

I’ve lived distinctive design styles – contemporary, traditional, modern, eclectic, and rustic. Prior to this move, I would call my style ornate. Now I am moving in a direction of modern and sleek.

As long as I have my art, books and music, life will go on and I’ll be happy. Add to that – friends, and it becomes picture perfect.

I won’t deny I’ve had a little anxiety, but my friends (I have many acquaintances, and very few friends, my choice), all sensed my uneasiness and came to my rescue. A few shoutouts: BW – Thank you for the mental health walks and hikes. CK – Thank you for everything. You really have championed my cause every step of the way. You’re such a mother, and a good one! NR – You have a keen sense of knowing. You are a giver, and always from the heart. JA – Far away, but near to my heart, you always have the right words. When you said, "Pace yourself." – that was code for me to rest, and I did. You’re intuitive… and DJ – We need more floor chats and prosecco. To the people who purchased my furnishings, I am glad to know they are being reused, especially those pieces with sentimental value that did not go with my new aesthetic. I am mourning the loss, but take comfort in knowing that "keep" and "maybe" were never an option. 

I wasn’t looking for a new chapter in life, but that’s what I am getting. The journey continues. Home – it’s whatever you want it to be. It’s not a place, but a feeling, and I have a strong feeling that I am in the place where I was meant to be.

Live your best life, my friends.  That's important.   – paerki

Photos: New Digs