Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Getting Back My Life

The last month is undoubtedly one of the most stressful periods of my life. I can't remember the last time I was this challenged. I guess it is not surprising since Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs places "Physiological Needs" at the bottom of the pyramid, making the first need that humans will look to satisfy before their higher level needs will be addressed. Shelter is one of these physiological needs and a place to call home definitely falls under that category.

The move happened on the Friday before the horrible floods hit NSW. We were lucky to get most out of the way before the thunderstorms hit and we were both exhausted, physically, mentally and emotionally. Thanks to my perseverance, we cleared all boxes within 36 hours. I was the box Nazi, clearing my stuff and then starting on John's. My strategy was to empty his boxes and place the stuff on the table, so that he has no choice but to clear them. It worked.

For me, it was like a strange form of a cleansing and re-energising ceremony. Getting rid of all evidence of the horrible month and settling back into our life. What I didn't anticipate was the settling down period. Unlike the last time where the transition was immediate, it took a few restless nights and another week or so of feeling locked out of my own skin before I could finally grab hold of my life rails once again. John was very supportive after the first week of our move while I calmed down, and then after I recovered, it was his turn.

It was nice that we both took turns to go crazy while the other supported. It really helped to strengthen our relationship and our love for each other, which was one of the best things that came out of this incident. Now that I have had a couple of normal weekends to myself, I am starting to recall what it felt like before my life was consumed with looking for a new place to live or buy. It's such a bliss not to have to worry and just enjoying what the next moment might bring.

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