Moving from one place to another is hard on its own. No matter what the reason is for your move, you’re starting everything over. When we moved, my hot list was:
- Find a pediatrician
- Hair stylist
- Nail tech and Nail salon
- Massage Therapist
- Make new friends (for all of us)
- Find clubs, sports and fun things for the kids to do
- CPA
- Car mechanic
- Find my favorite grocery store
- Family Doctor or OBGYN
There you have it. My list. Starting over means you need a list. I told myself it would take one year before I felt normal in our new city. I knew the normalcy of walking into our old Target and running into people from our church or neighbors was a thing of the past. When we move….we would know zero people and everyone would be new. Everyone would be pleasantly smiling back as I gave everyone I saw a hearty smile. I was hoping to find a connection.
Here’s what I found out
In North Carolina, people move here from all over. I found myself in line at a Starbucks and the person in front of me had a UofM pin on his bag. I said, “Did you go to Michigan?” Just like that – we had a full-on chit-chat. A real conversation: however brief it was; between two strangers. It felt good. I made a connection.
People here have more in common because we all came here from somewhere else to start over.
What that means to you
For the most part, everyone has done what you’re about to do. Picked up and started over. We all get it. We are all open to meeting new people and making friends. It’s rare to find people ‘born and raised’ here. I often say, “I may not be from here but I’m not going anywhere.”
Steps to take
Since you are about to move, make your list. What are the services you’ll need to find? I didn’t put Dentist on the list but it was on my mind. We need all the things when we move. So, make your list. Focus on finding what you need and who you need to meet first.
Utilize the forums online and ask your questions. Put yourself out there. Register to attend functions and meet ups. People want to meet you.
One last story
I remember the awkwardness of walking into our first event. We chose a neighborhood that sponsors events for the community. So, we registered and attended. We knew no one. I smiled, tried to memorize names as we met a few people here and there. We got in line for Face Painting and started to chat with the other moms in the line. That felt normal.
That feeling of being new and not knowing anyone dissipated over time. Remember, if you’re not uncomfortable – you’re not growing. Moving across the country makes you grow…a lot.
Eleven months after we moved here, it hit me one day that we had created a new circle of friends and spent some of the most joyous time together with our families sharing time and space. I realized that the uncomfortable moments don’t last long. The friendships and relationships you’re building may bring into your life the exact people you never knew you needed. The friends we have now I seriously can’t image our life without them in it.
You have a lot to look forward to. Breathe through the moments that cause you to grow. It’s worth it.
- Katrina MI to NC
