I moved 6 times over the last 10 months. My things were in storage for most of that time. A few months I was able to unpack a lot of items, but it was only temporary. When I moved into my current home, I noticed something strange for me: I felt like I needed to save all my boxes.
To get why that is strange, you need to know that I am an achiever at moving (and in life) — so I unpack and put away all my things within 48 hours. I also aspire to minimalism and avoiding clutter and anything extra. Condo living is meant to be simple. So to think I should keep all my moving boxes is indeed strange.
Unpacking What’s Inside
I could feel a subtle twinge of something when I looked at the boxes. Naturally my achiever, goal oriented self immediately kicked in and I took all the boxes out to recycle. But I also knew that there was something I should probably be unpacking inside myself.
I’ve learned through personality tests and counseling and self-awareness work that I am quick to do and think, but not to feel. I am great at taking the temperature of a room while being unaware that my own inside world is heating up. So I have to add very intentional practices into my Rhythm of Life & Leadership in order to notice and feel and be present to all that is happening in my own emotional world.
Rhythm of Life Practice: Taking Photos
So I pulled out my phone and took a photo of the boxes. Taking photos is one of the ways I remind myself to slow down. I take photos on walks and runs as a way of appreciating whatever is beautiful, funny, or interesting around me. I take photos of something that sparks a creative idea for speaking, writing, or teaching.
In this case, the photo served as a snapshot of a moment that I wanted to return and be present to – a moment I knew would help me grow? Grieve? Embrace? Let go? What did saving those boxes represent? What was that reluctance?
When I moved into my current place, it was an answer to prayer. It came from quick and wise financial decisions during a time of massive transition and loss. It came because of years of relational investment in my neighborhood. It came because I set my focus and went after my vision for how and where and why I want to live where I live in Seattle. It came out of response to God’s invitation for how to use my time, energy, and resources in this next season.
Step Boldly Into Your Decisions
When I unpacked what was going on inside I realized letting go of those boxes was me having to step boldly into the decisions I have made–letting my yes be YES and my no be NO! It meant not living scattered, temporary, hesitant, or with maybes but fully rooted, committed, here and now. Letting go of the boxes meant I would trust God’s leading and not leave myself a back up option.
Moving in to my condo and letting go of the boxes was an unexpected moment to realize: at this time, in this place, in this neighborhood, living amongst these people — this is the way I am going all in and saying “yes” to my vision: to be a part of God’s healing and wholeness for people, communities, systems, workplaces, neighborhoods — all of creation.
I want no part of me kept in storage or holding out for something just in case.
And let me just say, I’m loving every minute of this unpacked season of life and leadership.
