Moving Is Hard Enough
All pictures were taken the first time we drove across the country to move Brian in mid February.
After our move, I had a handful of people reach out asking about our cross country move during a pandemic either out of curiosity (because it is insane) or because they or someone they know is about to experience exactly what we went through. So I wrote about our experience and the things I learned about myself along the way.
Moving is hard and emotional. Even if it’s within the same city. We as humans connect so many places with experiences and memories that leaving is difficult.
Multiply that move by 2,000+ miles and the emotions heighten. The city you leave is no longer yours. As much as you wish it could be.
But add a pandemic, and you’ve got a recipe for a very emotional, very stressful move.
Less than nine days before our move date, we expedited our move by six days. We were fearful we wouldn’t be able to pick up a moving truck, cross state lines, or have a place to quarantine if we were stuck in Las Vegas. At the time, less than half of our house was packed, and the decision felt surreal and like a nightmare.
All of the questions flooded my mind. How do we do this as quickly and safely as possible? Will places be open for us to eat? How many hours can we realistically drive each day to do this in as few days as possible? How much sleep do I need to be an attentive, safe driver? What’s safer: Air BnB’s or hotels? Can I do this without crying the entire time?
I was paranoid about all the places we would be during our 2,000-mile drive - air bnb’s, gas stations, public restrooms, restaurants - that would put us more at risk of contracting COVID-19 and possibly spreading it.
And selfishly, I felt (and still feel) cheated out of saying goodbye to the people and places that made me fall so deeply in love with Vegas. We didn’t go eat at our favorite places one last time. We didn’t hug our friends one last time. We didn’t get a proper goodbye which feels a lot like not getting closure.
However, the experience made me realize I am more resilient and stronger than I give myself credit for, and it wasn’t until I felt like I was on the edge of losing it - like really, really losing it - that I was able to muster the strength I didn’t know I had to hold it together for just a little bit longer. Everyone needs to know this about themselves before attempting a multi-state move during a pandemic (and in life in general). You are stronger than you give yourself credit for. You can do it. You will get through it. It is going to suck. But you can withstand and you will recover quickly. Humans are amazingly resilient.
People say this ALL the time, but focus on what you CAN control. This was a huge thing for me the three days we were on the road. I cannot control other people throwing caution to the wind, but I can control how I protect myself. I can control what I touch, I can control how close I stand to others, I can control if I allow the gas station attendant to touch my snacks when scanning (we kindly asked everyone to use the handheld scanner while we held our snacks), and I can control what I need to do to feel safe when traveling during the pandemic (gloves, Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, hair up, no-repeat clothes, etc.).
Lastly, it’s okay to cry. I cried big tears a few days after we arrived. I think I was still living in a bit of disbelief or shock, which delayed the tears. But it’s okay. Crying is therapeutic, and a friend told me there is strength in crying which made me feel so much better.
All in all, you’ve got this! Your concerns are valid, but focus on what you can control. You will get through it. It won’t be the easiest thing you do, but you will become stronger for going through it.
xx,
Lindsae
