A Sad, Reflective Kinda Day

Preparing to Start a New Life

I just dropped off a couple of my better suits and my trenchcoat at the dry cleaners. I will need them for the (hopefully) upcoming job interviews after I get to Florida.

I am sorting through my things, doing laundry, and basically deciding what I will take with me and what I will leave behind. As I am doing this, it's a sad thing. I am leaving my life behind. I am leaving my girlfriend of seven years, my home, my friends, everything. I am going to Florida to start a new life in a new place. Well, ok, I did a lot of my growing up in Florida, but I have been away for a long time now, so in essence it's a new place.

I will only be taking what will fit in my car, so I have to decide what is worth allowing the space, and what must remain. It's a more difficult chore than I thought it would be. My suits and such are a no brainer, as I will need them at least for interviews and such. Other, more personal things are more difficult. Strange the sentimental attachments one has with regard to objects.

Not so much the object itself, but what they mean. How I came to have them, who gave them to me. The vacation trip we took when I bought it. Things like that. How does one decide what is important enough to take? I am going about it in a practical manner. Functionality and usefullness, but it is still sad to rake over one's life in this manner. Especially when leaving behind a life that, overall, has been quite happy despite the troubles along the way.

I plan to leave for Florida towards the end of the week. Thursday or Friday, I think. With my bad back I know I can't make the drive in one shot, and I'm not really going to be in a hurry anyway. I have planned my trip with two overnight stops along the way, one right about the NC/SC border, and the other in northern FLA. Both camp grounds have good facilities i.e bath houses, food, and a bar to drown my sorrows :)

While it is the start of a new chapter in this thing called life, and should be exciting, I can't help but be melancholy about the chapter that is rapidly drawing to a close.
3,341 views 18 replies
Reply #1 Top
excuse my sporting mind but I hope Florida falls off the face of the earth. Carry on. Peace.
Reply #2 Top
Mason! I can't wait to hear where your travels take you. I know that a lot of the journey will be coming to terms with all that was left behind - material or not. I wish you all the best. You know the nice thing about JU - no matter where you are, your friends are there.

Peace and best wishes, honey. Safe driving. Help is always here when you need it!

Suz xxx
Reply #3 Top
Thanks Floozie. You're right, of course, that a big part of the journey I have already started is not a matter of physical travel, but a "coming to terms" as you put it.

Things change. Such is the nature of this life.
Reply #4 Top
Miki....I kinda feel the same way about California
Reply #5 Top

Mason...it's ok to be sad at the end of one era...as long as you don't let that sadness overshadow your excitment and anticipation at the start of the next phase of your journey. 


You have such strength and tenacity, I have no doubt in my mind that you will succeed in whatever you do. 


You never know, we might just end up in Florida too.  Then I can come surf with you and have you over for Sunday lunch!

Reply #6 Top
Thanks for the kind words dharma. Who knows what the future holds?
Reply #7 Top
Will you be blogging once you get settledÉ If I don`t get a chance to access a computer before you go, good luck and happy trails. keep safe, my friend.
N
Reply #8 Top
Nicky, getting my laptop repaired will be one of my top priorities after I get down there. I will need it for job hunting anyway.
Reply #9 Top
I understand about the sad part, but it is a good thing (to a point). My Dad says that one really knows one is alive when one is hurting. Happiness can seem unreal. I thought he was a bit sadistic at the time. But even in this melancholy time, it seems (from your post) that you have lots of evidence of having lived a life, having done things. So not only do you have these things tied up in memory, you have a chance to edit by deciding what things you want to drag with you! It's kind of liberating really. Edit well, and enjoy! javascript:editor_insertHTML('message','')Also, drive safely!
Reply #10 Top
cut those ties and move on....the past is the past....you can never get it back, new adventures await....
Reply #11 Top
Oh man, I know how you feel. It was almost 11 years ago, I packed everything into my pickup and moved from Rochester NY to Richmond VA (Because Richmond is where my then-fiance' moved to. lol She's now my ex. Anyway....) I know EXACTLY what you're going through! On the up-side of things, you might decide you like Florida, after the initial cultural shock. I certainly don't plan on moving back to Rochester. I like it here!

LLS
Reply #12 Top
That's good Lenbert, glad ya like VA. I am currently living about 3 hours from Richmond. Martinsville area. I don't think Florida will be much of a culture shock as I did most of my growing up there.
Reply #13 Top
When my best mate and I used to feel a little anxious, or scared, or like lifes shitting on us - we'd thrust our shoulders back, sing the Indiana Jones theme tune to ourselves and charge on into the next great adventure (it got us through many a crazy night/morning/day I can tell ya'). Just watch out for booby traps, keep your whip by your side and smirk at each and every baddy that tries to stand in your way!

All the best starting again in the next place (it's not always an easy thing to do, no matter how many times you've done it before)!

Tally ho!
Reply #14 Top
When my best mate and I used to feel a little anxious, or scared, or like lifes shitting on us - we'd thrust our shoulders back, sing the Indiana Jones theme tune to ourselves and charge on into the next great adventure


I love those silly movies. Dune, ya just cheered me up a lot picturing myself singing Indiana Jones, wearing my trusty Indiana Jones hat, and charging myself all the way to Florida. Assuming of course that I didn't get locked in a looney bin between here and there.
Reply #15 Top

Fortune and glory, kid

Link

Reply #16 Top
good pic
Reply #17 Top
lol Mason. Just playing in that other response but you picked up on that. Kidding bout Florida, Flames lost, bummer, over it now. Read my letter I posted. Peace.
Reply #18 Top
Not a problem miki. I enjoyed it. Loads of fun