The Silver Lining of Frequent Moves

My family and I just moved for the not-sure-how-many-th time. (You can read my take on why it's so hard to answer the question,“How many times have you moved?”) We are keenly—almost painfully—aware of the downsides of moving, and how those downsides get amplified when the moves are frequent.

However, I've also been ruminating on the good aspects of moving often. What I've come to realize is that there really is a silver lining to frequent moves. It is this: the chance to re-evaluate.

It's very easy to get stuck in a rut of comfort and habit in our lives. Sometimes that's good, but sometimes being on cruise control means allowing things to stay in our lives that we'd be better off changing. While we might make time to re-evaluate on occasions like New Year's Eve, there's nothing quite like a move to jar us out of those habits. Being uprooted from familiar places and faces is a natural time to think about change, and to make mindful tweaks as we start afresh in a new home.

Re-evaluate your stuff

Moving frequently means you can't afford to accumulate clutter, and you don't have the chance to let stuff build up in closets and drawers. I don't know about you, but as good as my intentions are to “spring clean,” it doesn't always get done. However, if it's time to move, there's not really a choice. Every nook and cranny will need to be emptied, and that makes a great time to toss the unwanted junk.

Re-evaluate your relationships

This is an area of life that sometimes slips into a less-than-ideal habit. We might not even be aware that it's been months since we last went out on a date with our spouse, talked to a sibling, or fostered other important relationships.In your last location, what were those relationships that ended up getting put on the back burner, and how can you change that in your new location? Are you hoping to have a women's group to join once a month? Are the kids' social lives smothering your own? Do you want to have a weekly Skype date with your parents? Are you hoping to have solid friendships in your neighborhood? When you move, you are starting fresh with many relationships. It's a great time to consider which ones you want to strengthen, and prioritize those before a new life routine sidelines them again.

Re-evaluate yourself

Moving to a new place also gives the wonderful opportunity to re-invent yourself. At times, we find ourselves in a role or identity we'd rather not have, but it doesn't bother us enough to overcome inertia and make a change. Maybe you've been pegged as the one who always bakes goodies for the play group, though you'd rather help in another way. Perhaps people still see you as the Scrapbooking Queen and they give you their old supplies. But really, you've moved on to other hobbies. Or, maybe you've realized you've become inactive over the years because there's not much built-in exercise in your current lifestyle.When you move to a new place, no one knows any of those things about you. You have the chance to think about who you are now, and set a new pattern. Sign up to bring craft materials instead of baked goods. Let new friends know you're into karaoke. Be the active mom who organizes volleyball games and talks everyone into doing a 5K together.

Re-evaluate your goals

Many of us who live overseas know our time in one place is short, and another move is coming up in just a few years (or even sooner!) I think that helps us view life in shorter chunks of time, and to be more cognizant that, if we are hoping to accomplish something in the new place, we need to take steps towards that goal right away. This is a great time to plan out what goals are realistic to reach during the next chapter of life.Moving frequently has not been easy on our family. However, having the chance to re-evaluate these aspects of life has at least reminded me that it's not all bad.

Have you discovered any silver linings to moving frequently?