For the first time in 30 years I am moving into my very own apartment!
After reviewing my tolerations last month, I set my goal for August: ‘To sign a lease and create a home for myself, by August 20th’. Even though it wasn’t my original one year goal of buying my own property, it will still be my home none the less.
I have never lived alone before, and I can’t tell you how excited I am for this new beginning.
Ever since I viewed the apartment last week I have been day dreaming (and night dreaming!) about it; how I will make it my own, where I will put everything, what my lifestyle will be like when I move, what it will be like waking up there every day, how I will spend my days . . . It’s kind of like falling in love – the constant thoughts on your mind, the butterflies in your tummy, the dreaming of a future together. Yes that’s it! I think I’m falling in love with my apartment. Perhaps more specifically, I’m falling in love with experiencing an independence I’ve never had before in this lifetime.
“I want every day to be a fresh start on expanding what is possible.”
– Oprah Winfrey
This process has got me thinking about anticipation. Almost ALL the amazing events in our lives are preluded with anticipation – holidays, birthdays, weddings, births, travelling, new jobs, buying homes – the excitement and happiness begin as soon as the process does. You know what they say about holidays, that the holiday begins the moment you buy a travel brochure (or these days, start researching on-line).
It really is so true. Our imagination and hearts know the way, even before our physical bodies can get there. Think back to the last great event that happened in your life . . . was it preluded by anticipation?
Gretchin Rubin says that to take the most happiness from an experience we must go through ‘The 4 Stages of Happiness’:
- we must anticipate it
- savor it as it unfolds
- express happiness
- recall a happy memory
I do believe I am presently at stage 1, soon to be moving into phase 2 next week!
For me this will be an ADVENTURE.
Different to my previous adventures though – for now instead of itching to go globe-trotting, I am really driven to settle. I am craving to make a home for myself, to be part of a community, to be around beautiful things, to have a space I can call my own. It’s a very different adventure to embark on, but one that is just as exciting.
Here’s to fresh starts and new beginnings!
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