Change is hard, whether expected or not; it involves stepping outside of one’s comfort zone–sometimes into the unknown–and accepting a new normal.
That is where we are right now; with our recent move, we are living a new normal. Whereas I used to write from a large homeschool room with floor to ceiling shelves, I am now sitting on a bed in the middle of what was once a small sewing room with space for a washer/dryer and a closet.
Has it been an exciting ride? Yes.
Has it been emotional? Yes.
Have we settled in and found our rhythm? Not even close.
Our family is in a “transition” period, and every woman who has ever labored knows that when “transition” hits all doubts, concerns or insecurities rush in at full force. More and more frequently I feel the need to fall to my knees and send up prayers for the strength and discernment to stay on the path, ignoring the naysayers and moving forward.
And when I’m at the end of me, God ushers in blessings in the way of getaway dinners from my momma, as well as encouraging emails and texts from friends and extended family who carry us from one moment to the next.
“You can do this. It’s a good thing.”
“You’re living your convictions. Rest in God’s grace and provision.”
“Go ahead and cry–it’s hard to downsize. People don’t understand, but He does.”
“Don’t forget to breathe.”
For us, right now, this difficult change is a manifestation of our move, but for others the difficulty lies in switching classes, schools, districts, from public/private to homeschool, or vice versa. Maybe it is not even directly related to actual schooling, but a change in job that has forced the family to dig up their roots and move to a new location across the city, state, or even another country.
It is easy to remain singularly focused and not remember others are transitioning too. It is easy to forget our neighbors. Don’t. Don’t forget to celebrate when someone beats cancer, and their scans are coming back clear. Don’t forget to introduce yourself to that new person at school, co-op, church, work, or wherever. Don’t forget to make a batch of cookies, like our new neighbor did for us, to welcome us to the community.
Look up.
See.
Be present.
School begins on Monday for us–two weeks later than our normal start. I’m thankful for our outbuilding that currently holds everything we knew would not fit in the house (Yes, we still managed to move some things we do not/will not need.), I am not looking forward to digging through it this weekend to pull out what we’ll need to start the school year.
What am I looking forward to though?
Peace.
Focus.
Letting go.
Looking up.
And you? What change is going on in your life? What transition are you going through at the start of this new school year? How are you managing it?
Heather Sanders is a leading homeschooling journalist who inspires homeschooling families to live, love and learn. Married to Jeff, Heather lives in the East Texas Piney Woods where she currently home schools two of her three kids.