I'm not certain posts like this are made but I am in need of support, in general, in my life right now. I'm thankful for the new year and all the hope it has already brought me. With the end of 2007 also comes the end of a 5 year marriage for me and so my life is changing entirely.

Tomorrow I leave for Eugene, OR to interview for a non-profit job in development. Even while married, we discussed moving to Portland so I'm finding myself naturally gravitating to this area now that I'm looking for a change in scenery. When I move, I leave what may be considered my entire life behind; I'm saying goodbye to my home, my shoppe, my friends, my family, my furkids, my safety net. I must admit this is the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life but I am looking forward to coming out the other end stronger for having experienced it all. That's all just a little hard to see being in the thick of all of this.

I realize this is a rather "heavy" post but I felt like I needed to put it out there. If any of you feel you can share experiences of starting over, I'd appreciate it. I know that I'm not the first to go through this new journey, but right now, I feel very alone on this path.

 Wozzie
 

Wozzie -- I pledge you my daily prayer.  Please keep us posted. 

You are a survivor -- I know you can do it!

Warmly, Aunt Bobby

Wozzie,

I wish you all the best in your future plans. You are going through some major changes in your life all at once, and that can be stressful. Please try to keep in mind that the stress is natural and it is also normal to feel some fear or hesitation. Always follow your heart where it leads you because in the grand scheme of life, you will come out on the other side GLAD that you are making these decisions. Trust yourself!!!

I left my home state of IL and lived in San Diego for 4 years. Reflecting upon this journey, I regret nothing, even though the reason I initially moved there was not the reason that made me stay for 4 years or return to my home in IL. I had so many good experiences, and met so many new and wonderful people. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

All my best,

Mary 

(((Wozzie)))  I can't speak for anyone else but I think this is just the place to look for support.  That's what Artella has always seemed to be for me.  I think you are incredibly brave to be heading off to a new job, a new location, and a new life.  I realize this is probably the scariest moment in your life though.  But how exciting.  Know that you take us with you wherever you go. 

My experience with starting over had to do with going through what felt like a breakdown; drinking too much, in a bad relationship, working at a job I hated and raising two kids with mental health problems alone.  I stopped drinking, I left the relationship, quit the job, and got the help I needed with the kids.  It turned my life around.  I'm now a senior in college (at the tender age of 47), majoring in Graphic Design.  I had spent my working life in business so being an art major is as far from that as I could get. 

My advise is to create a new support network when you get there by joining a spiritual community (if that's your path), an art group, a writing group, take a night class, etc.  The other thing is don't be afraid to find a therapist to help you work through the anxiety over all these changes.  This is huge - even good changes can be scary.  You did good reaching out here.  You are going to come through this and be a stronger, better person for it.

Hugs & Love, Kim

Hi Wozzie!

You're very brave to be strinking out on your own so far away from what is so familiar to you. I have a little experience putting a broken life back together again. When it was time to pick up all the pieces, people and professionals kept telling me "when one door closes, another one opens". At the time, I didn't believe a word of it. It just sounded so trite and seemed so easy for other people to say. (I have furkids too and right now Nala is tryiing to climb all over my laptop - so I think she wants to say "Hi".) People kept telling me that there was light at the end of the tunnel and that I should remember that hope can carry me throught the difficult times. Again, I couldn't see or feel the hope or the light at the end of the tunnel.

Wozzie, I am telling you all of this because even though I didn't believe it at the time, I am here to tell you I got through it. And, you will get through this too. Just keep taking very small steps. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. You only need to take little baby steps (that's what I call them). And, I promise you that very slowly things will get better, even if it doesn't seem that way at first. Take it from a non-believer.

I don't know if you have a large circle of friends (I didn't) and I tend to isolate myself. But, I can tell you from experience that isolation only makes things worse. Reaching out to friends and family (only if they are a good supportive family) can help you on your path to building a new life.  I didn't have Artella at the time, but I think this is the perfect forum for you to put a subject like this out there. I have tried to fit into a lot of diffierent communities and groups in my lifetime, and Artella is, by far,  the most caring, supportive, kind, and nurturing community I have ever belonged to.

I don't want to continue to ramble, but if you would like to talk some more, you can drop me a line via e-mail (juliembear@msn.com), or anywhere in the Cafe and I'll be here for you.

I will pray for you, I will be thinking about you, and I will be in your corner routing for you!

On a lighter side, I found this smiley face. This will be me cheering you on!

   Wozzie, you go girl! Hugs, Your friend,   Julie

Dear Wozzlie,

Yep, this is the perfect place to post about life changes and challenges! We all have them--sometimes in the foregrounds of our lives, sometimes in the backgrounds. So we know how scary and excited feels, also how confused and excited feels, and how grief plus devastation feels. And all these DO pass, while the creative impulse continues.

You are brave. You are taking advantage of a great opportunity with that new job. You're turning loose your exploring instincts with the move. You'll be fine!

You are in my prayers, too!

Love,
Pat 

I will include you in my prayers.

 Try not to look at ALL the things you need to address all at the same time. Prioritize and accomplish the most important task then physically mark it off your list. Then move to the second and do the same. As you mark off each item you may feel feel stronger and build your confidence by completing one task at a time. I hope this is helpful.

If you have a blog, maybe you could post there to keep family and friends close by. They could reply to your posts.

 You can do it! Keep us posted as your time allows!

Thank you all so much for letting me know that this is indeed the place where I can reach out for support. I honor all of you.

Aunt Bobby - I accept your pledge with open arms. I must admit that taking anything from anyone has been hard for me lately but I am trying my best to let that all go and so I start with you. Thank you.

Desire2Reinvent - It isn't often that I am reminded that I need to trust myself but it is simple and profound. Thank you for this reminder; I'm going to write it on a sticky note and put it on my mirror.

Kim - Thank you for sharing your journey with me. It really does help to know that I'm not alone and strong women have made it through. I will definitely take your suggestion of getting involved somewhere when I move. I think a writer's group would simply be perfect for me! I love that you are getting your degree now. Yahoo!!

Julie - Can I borrow your M&M's cape? I think that would make me feel like I have super powers! I guess you could say I'm a bit of a non-believer myself right now so I will hold your experience close to me right now. I think it's hardest when one is in the thick of it to see any sort of resolution. Thank you for extending your friendship; that truly means a lot and I may take you up on your e-mail offer. And as for that cheerleader, that truly made me smile. Big.

Pat - I welcome those prayers of yours as well. Thank you.

Heather - Yes, step by step. One by one. Crossing things off a list makes me feel so accomplished. Let's begin with this one shall we? 1) Breathe.

I'm back from Eugene and my trip went fabulously. Thank you for all your support and Julie, thanks for the picture! They are making a decision about the job today as it is down to me and one other candidate. They said they'll be calling to let me know.

 Please keep your fingers crossed for me! This would indeed be the first of many steps in me moving onward but it would be a good "win" for me right now.
 

Hi Wozzie!

Welcome back! It's good to hear that everything went well and I'm glad you liked the picture. I've been thinking about you over the last couple of days and I was getting ready to send you another e-mail (hopefully I'll get it out today). Again, Good Luck! Let me know the outcome.

        Hugs,    Julie

Thank you all so very much for all your support. It means the world to me, really! I was officially offered the job in Eugene this week and I accepted. I'm so excited at this new journey and am trying my very best to not focus so much on what I'm leaving behind. It's difficult to wade through the good and the bad of what is happening right now. I'm sincerely just taking it all hour by hour. Day by day is too much right now. Sometimes it's all I can do to be in the moment. I'm going to be leaving here on February 15 and only taking what I can fit in my car. I'm starting a new life soon. Who will I become? 

Wozzie:

 Who will I become? 

Anyone you want to be!  How exciting for you.  I would imagine it's scary too but WOW, what a fantastic opportunity.  Congratulations!   

Woo Hoo Wozzie! Good luck getting ready for the move and your new job! Please remember to trust yourself, and the Universe. You will become exactly who you are meant to become. You will get what you are meant to have when you believe it is true. Look forward. By looking forward we get "unstuck" from the past.

I am just so happy for you. Taking risks and chances is how we grow. In hindsight you will see.

Trust others now.

All my best to you,

Mary 

Congrats Wozzie! I know how scary it is to pick up and move and leave everything you know behind. I've done it twice in the past 6 months! I moved from my home state of 24 years to a completely different state. I had no job, very little money, and I left all of my family and friends behind. Then just as I was getting settled into it, I had to pick up and move to another state! It was a nervous time for me, as I had to find another new job, but things are starting to settle down a bit now. It's been an experience and a good one at that! I hope all goes well for you. Just remember to keep breathing!

I also noticed in another post that you are interning for WOW. I think that's great! I've always wanted to do something like that. I will be submitting my entry for the flash fiction contest soon :)

Have a wonderful day!