Moving Through 2022
If I could describe the first day of 2022 in one word it would be, moving. The first and obvious reason behind this is how I literally moved out of my home today. A home that was a remedy for the pandemic. A home that provided space and serenity during a time of utter chaos. A home that I am forever grateful to have lived in. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am not new to moving. I have become somewhat of a nomad in recent years. And with each place I’ve lived in, I’ve become less and less attached to the space. It’s allowed me to develop a presence to my dwellings and appreciate them for the time they lend.
The second reason I chose this word was due to the emotions I felt today. Amid the packing and sorting of my things, I decided to watch the highly anticipated Harry Potter 20th Anniversary Reunion. I wasn’t the biggest Harry Potter fan, but I grew up watching the series. As I watched the cast reminisce about their humble beginnings, and their journey through the years, I found myself in tears. I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed these films and the many stories within them. It also dawned on me that I grew up with the cast as I am only a few years younger than the main characters. As I watched the reunion, I began to understand the importance of closing chapters in our lives.
When I first moved out of my childhood home, I remember feeling extremely emotional. It was a home I had known for more than 20 years. And what was even more difficult was I couldn’t have the farewell I wanted because I was living in another country when my family moved out. I remember planning so many rituals and imaging myself celebrate the last time I’d wash my clothes, the last time I’d drink water from the kitchen sink, or the last night of sleep in my bed. It was difficult for me to swallow at the time, but the reality is life is not going to wait until you’re ready to close chapters. Sometimes you’ll have opportunities, like the cast of Harry Potter, to have a beautifully produced reunion filled with people uttering perfect sentiments to one another. Other times you may find yourself in a completely different country, mentally picturing your childhood bedroom so you can say goodbye to it quietly.
Today, as I cleared every room, I began to quietly take mental snapshots. These were moments of gratitude as I looked at the empty spaces that were once filled with life. There was nothing else that I needed to do. I felt ready amidst the movement and it’s quite a special place to be in.
