Doing what scares you

The good news is that we have accepted an offer on our place.  The fingers will not be uncrossed until Sunday, if/when the subjects are removed, but the situation looks good.

And bad.  It’s a real emotional roller coaster.  I’m glad we can move on with our plans, but I’m sad that we are leaving the place we love so much.  I’m excited about our plans, but I’m apprehensive about all the things I have to get done.  Plus I’m scared.

So why am I so unnerved?

Because I don’t do change very well.  I stay in the same job (11 years in my previous job).  I live in one place (14 years in a housing co-op before I moved here 13 years ago).  I even wear the same clothes year after year.

Momentum, even forward momentum, is a little scary for me.  And that’s one of the reasons why I have to do this.

This change is not just going to be a new address — not even a new size and shape of home.  It’s going to be living with less stuff (my comfortable layer of stuff), saving more money, little changes that lead to big changes like more travel and yes, adventure. One tiny step at a time I am moving my life in a whole new direction.

So I want to know — how do other people handle change?  In this article at Wise Bread, one of the most important things to remember is

Remember That It’s Okay To Be Scared

Trying new things is exhilarating for some, scary for others. Whether you are truly thrilled or massively intimidated, don’t let (irrational) fear stop you.

It’s also good to remember something I learned a long time ago and had somehow forgotten: In life, as in riding roller-coasters, it’s good to know you are safe, but if you’re not a little scared it’s just not as much fun.