Making changes, especially major ones, can be extremely difficult for highly sensitive people. It’s tempting to stick with what’s comfortable and familiar, even when we may not be completely satisfied. Change is hard, but with desire and determination, it can be done, and I will prove it!
In this series of blog posts, I chronicle a really “Big Move” that my wife and I made to move halfway across the country to be closer to our daughter. This was a HUGE change for us, as we had lived in our home in New Jersey for over 30 years! My mother had recently passed away, and our only daughter had moved to Missouri. Since neither my wife nor I were getting any younger, we knew that if we didn’t make the change now, it would never happen.
However, there was so much in front of us, from managing my mother’s estate to preparing our house for sale to selling our house to packing up our stuff to retiring from my business to finding a new house. My head would spin just thinking about all that was ahead of reaching our final goal!
In the end, we successfully made the “Big Move” and accomplished something that we didn’t think was possible! We faced challenge after challenge, so much so that I was tempted to call this series “The Miracle of Doing the Impossible!” As long and difficult as this journey was, it was more rewarding than we could have ever imagined!
It is my hope that this series of blog posts will motivate you, as a highly sensitive person, to take on something that’s truly important to you. Being highly sensitive is NEVER a good excuse for not going after what you want! What “Big Moves” would you like to make?
In my first post in the Cliff’s Big Move series, I Didn’t Die (1), I summarize all of the changes I made in my life, starting from July 2014 through 2018. You can access all the posts in this series by clicking on the Cliff’s Big Move category in the sidebar.
Sounds great. I look forward to reading about your life changes.
Looking forward to reading your posts again!
Thank you Sid and Marina!! I’m glad that you didn’t forget about me. It’s been a very long journey. I look forward to writing again and getting your feedback. Are there any topics that you’re interested in?
My Mom passed away last Christmas (2017) and my close friend, Mike, took his life in 2016. I am in grief and shock, still. I’d like to move to Vermont (and even found a house I like there) but feel totally overwhelmed at the prospect of selling my home, cleaning it out, preparing it for sale, the works all ALONE.
It’s daunting to say the least. You’re lucky you have a wife/partner. I have no one. So, I’m frozen. For the time being. Any suggestions out there (or folks who also wanna move to Vermont, maybe join me?)
Hi Phyll,
It’s good to hear from you! I’m sorry for the losses that you’ve experienced. I’ve written some blog posts on grief. I hope this helps you.
Hi Phyll,
I’m sorry to hear about your Mom and your close friend. Losing loved ones is always difficult, especially for highly sensitive people, and especially when the losses are so close together. Allow yourself the time you need to grieve. There’s no time limit on grief.
Making big changes is daunting, with or without a partner! I’ve always felt it more productive to focus on what I have rather than what I lack. Do you have friends or family that you can reach out to for support?
I’ve found that the best way to deal with an overwhelming goal is to break it down into small, achievable tasks. This will reduce feelings of overwhelm and give you a sense of accomplishment, which will keep you moving forward. For example, perhaps you can first focus on clearing out your house. With that goal in mind, you can break it down further, starting with one thing, such as cleaning out the garage. Go as small as you need, even if it’s just cleaning out one closet or even one drawer.
Keep in mind the old Chinese proverb, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Every task that you complete, no matter how small, will bring you closer to your goal. That’s something we should all remember!
Cliff: I look forward to future blogs from you….Aunt V.
Phyll Perry: My nephew (late 50s) and his partner bought a farm In Vt. this year. Couldn’t be happier. Of course it seems that they have funds and have settled into animal land easily. They seem to enjoy their new neighbors and feel very welcome there.
It probably is easier with a partner so I can’t help you there….just thought you might like to know that this move has been done successfully…..Good luck…..
Did I ever tell you that you’re my favorite aunt!!
Good to have you back. Looking forward to reading your blog
Thank you Lydia! Your going to find Cliff’s Big Move very interesting. It’s a miracle that Linda and I didn’t get divorced!
Thank you, Cliff, for the rebirth of the Highly Sensitive Person Publishing Company. It couldn’t come at a better time for me. I need the motivation you speak of to jumpstart my desire to move. It is a challenge to stay focused and get the type of things done expressed by you and Phyll. I look forward to your insight.
Hi Karen,
I remember you from our Highly Sensitive Person in-person meetings! The move was difficult, but I’m sure that you can do it! Stay tuned!
Now it’s 2022, 4 years later (since I wrote the above entry in this blog in 2018) I found a house I loved in Vermont in October 2020 and made an offer, bought it and moved in mid-Dec. 2020. It’s a dream-come-true but was hard moving 23 years of things, hiring someone to drive the U-haul with my car on a tow behind it and move me, my cat and 2 ponies to Vermont. But, I did it and am glad I’m here, now. Still daunting, still a huge task for this solo HSP but it’s beautiful, peaceful and comforting here. Would love to hear from you. Dreams can come true. . .