Embracing transition

Karen on 07 6, 2007

Several years ago, I attended a summer retreat in blissful Colorado Springs. And while I didn’t retain an abundance of what I experienced on that 10-day retreat, a line one of our leaders reiterated clung to me – and has subsequently helped me to propel myself out of my comfort zone and into more tenuous situations.

That line was:


“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you always got.”

Such an obvious statement, yet I think it is a cliché to remember because once you find yourself in a rut it definitely takes some dexterity to break free unless you have your own personal motivator. However, two books you might want to plunge into if you are on the precipice of making drastic life changes are, The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander; and Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search For Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert. And even if you are enduring unwanted changes, these tomes are compelling and likely will ameliorate your rampant anxiety in some respects.

In the first few weeks I’ve lived in Seattle my mind has drifted numerous times back to the aforementioned quote, especially when I get wild-eyed facial expressions from people perplexed at how I could move thousands of miles for something other than a lucrative Microsoft job. And when someone shoots me a ‘you’ve come unglued’ look, I just sort of shrug and elaborate. Moving across the country isn’t that extreme, but it’s also not like I morphed into a plucky woman overnight.

Although I am still adjusting to the vast differences between Seattle and Chicago, I can’t stop raving about the the cooler, comfortable summers here, the moderate traffic or how much easier the transition has been because I have a roommate who has lived in Seattle for years. Not having to deal with blistering heat daily really is the grandest relief though. Before my movers arrived last week, I was slightly verklempt since the few shreds of clothing I packed in my car were solely appropriate for Chicago’s wicked-humid summers, which aren’t even close to comparable to Seattle’s. Now, I am constantly carrying around fleece jackets to cope with the cool nights, which are actually welcome when I think of past summertimes in Illinois. And while I know I arrived at the pinnacle of the good-weather-season here, I am already pining to brave a winter, albeit gloomy, not rife with snow. Though to be quite candid, the several snippets of resident views I’ve read regarding Seattle’s climate on Sperling’s BestPlaces are a tad disquieting.

[photopress:fireworks2.jpg,thumb,right][photopress:boatview.jpg,thumb,right]

Hopefully, you all had a happy Fourth of July! Watching the sky ablaze with shimmering fireworks aboard a boat on Lake Union with my roommate and a swarm of her friends was memorable to say the least; what more could a Seattle newbie ask for?

About the Author: Karen Kirr

Karen is a 25-yr-old journalist, editor and graphic designer. In her free time, she enjoys playing bass guitar, writing poetry, reading and spending time with friends. She is a native of Chicago.

9 Responses to “Embracing transition”

  1. Ian
    July 6, 2007 at 11:49 am

    Karen:
    A couple months ago, my wife, two young daughters, and I relocated to the Seattle area from near Philadelphia. It’s going to be fun for me to read more about your transition as a single living in the city and compare it to mine as a father living in Edmonds and working in the city.

    I can honestly say that I didn’t realize how hot and muggy Philly is in the summer until two days ago when we watched the parade and fireworks in Edmonds. Each year we did the same in our home town in PA, but never had the comfortable weather we experienced here. Isn’t it funny how apologetic the natives are about the weather here? Like you, I have yet to go through a winter, but I can already predict my preference for non-stop cool rain than the bitter cold snowy winters of the Northeast. After all, we are only a couple hours drive from that when we need our snow skiing fix.

    I won’t speak for the rest of my family but I already feel at home here.

    #157145
  2. ARDELL
    July 6, 2007 at 1:38 pm

    Karen,

    The trick is to “get a life” before the gloomy time comes :) Also, ignore good taste in decorating with dark gloomy colors. When I moved here I did the whole bathroom in the brightest yellow accessories and shower curtains I could find. You practically needed sunglasses to enter the room. Instant morning “sunshine”.

    My home office has grow lights and all windows and painted a light yellow. Get your surroundings in shape while you can. Tackle it head on before it gets here. It’s always summer at my house.

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  3. ARDELL
    July 6, 2007 at 1:44 pm

    Ian,

    I’m with you. While I came here after 8 years of FL and CA, I was in Philadelphia and surrounds for over 40 years prior, and this whether is relatively GREAT!!

    I went home to visit my Mom in summer once and it was both gray and hot&humid. What a combo!

    #157178
  4. Karen
    July 6, 2007 at 2:04 pm

    Ian,
    Yes, I know what you mean for sure. Apparently, Chicago’s 4th of July this year was gray, hot and humid – like Ardell said – a common combo out in Philly too. NY’s 4th of July was rainy and muggy, so it looks like we easily trumped both of them this year. We could not have asked for more perfect weather!

    #157183
  5. Rhonda Porter
    July 7, 2007 at 10:59 am

    Karen, you’re here just in time for Seafair! The Pirates are landing at Alki this afternoon. It’s a crazy scene…but if you’re looking for something to do, this offers great people watching, the beach, restaurants, fire boats and Pirates. :)

    #157555
  6. ARDELL
    July 7, 2007 at 5:24 pm

    Karen,

    Grab a copy of Settle’s Best Mag while it’s still out there. If I had known it was a July issue, I would have brought one when we met. You can have mine if you miss it. Always good for a newcomer to have. Speaking of that…Seattle Newcomer’s Guide is fabulous! They were supposed to come out with their new edition in March of 2007. I’ll check and see if it did.

    #157659
  7. Karen
    July 8, 2007 at 10:52 am

    Heard about the Seafair, Rhonda, hope you had a blast! I was hitting the books, have tons to do for class. I’m hoping to check out the West Seattle Fest next weekend though. :)

    Ardell, I’ll have to check out the magazine you mentioned. I have the Seattle’s Newcomer’s Guide and love it, it offers more than I would have thought. It’s not the latest edition though.

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  8. Rhonda Porter
    July 8, 2007 at 9:24 pm

    Seafair goes on for weeks…the Pirates landing at Alki was just the beginning. I missed it, too…I saw it last year and my sister in law (expectedly) passed away on Friday night so we have other priorities. Many communities around the Pacific Northwest will be celebrating Seafair (hydro races, etc.). You can find more info at http://www.seafair.com.

    #158111
  9. ARDELL
    July 13, 2007 at 1:55 pm

    Karen,

    Today is what we call “a dramatic weather day”.

    Woke up it was cloudy and cool and comfortable.

    Then the lightening came and sounded like it hit my house.

    Then the sirens started going off all over the neighborhood suggesting the lightening hit something nearby.

    Then it poured like we needed to start building an arc.

    Then the sun came out and it turned into a gorgeous sunny day.

    All before 1 p.m.
    “Dramatic Weather Day” – a local Seattle term you need to grab onto for days like this.

    #159841