Fresh Starts and New Beginnings
Lessons Learned from my TN to DMV move!
Hello and welcome to another Dose of Uniqueness.
Wow, it has been a minute since I wrote a blog post. I feel so lost. Since we last chatted, I executed a Permanent Change of Station move from Tennessee to Virginia – the DMV to be exact.
My last couple of weeks in Tennessee were bittersweet. I was excited for the move, but not the labor and headaches that go along with moving. At the time of my move, COVID restrictions were still in place for military members. So my move was schedule virtually. After that initial assessment, about 3 weeks later two gentlemen came to pack up my belongings from spacious, luxury apartment. During that 3 weeks I tried to purge clothing and household goods that I knew it was time to part ways with and try to downsize as much as possible. One thing I didn’t take into consideration was that those three weeks were going to fly by. I was in the middle of turnover at work – desperately wanted to make sure I gave my relief an effective turnover, plus I was finishing up homework and assignment for my Master’s Degree program and trying to prepare myself for a huge move…. I was a wreck! I neglected my social media accounts and this blog. I wasn’t using my planners and was completed lost – going through the day – taking each jab as it came…. Unprotected.
I did learn a few things from this move, lessons learned is what I will call them.
In the military, you start negotiating for your next assignment a year out. However, for my position it was a little less….3 months. I was recently promoted to O4 and had a milestone I needed to complete….Flag Staff! I prepared my nomination package months out…but had to wait to see what Admiral would select me and which Flag Sec had a Projected Rotation Date (PRD) that aligned with mine. I received an email right after Christmas notifying me that I had an interview January 8th. That day came and the interview was great. I received verbal confirmation a week later saying that I had the job and would be working at the Pentagon! My relief arrived two months later…and I didn’t even have orders and didn’t know when I would be leaving. My order arrived in April with a detachment month of May and a Report month of May! I immediately scheduled my move, started purging….but I later found out that I didn’t purge half way enough, and started buying boxes to start my move.
My movers came mid-April and I was out of my apartment and turned in my keys on 30 April. I check into my hotel that night and during that time I was basically living out of my jammed packed car. I had a 32 inch TV, Nespresso maker, Queen Size Air Mattress, luggage, uniforms, shoes….my car was packed to capacity.
I departed on the 6th of May and went headed to Alabama to spend time with family and friend before headed to DC.
I arrived in the DMV area the week of the 22nd. During that time is when I began looking at apartment that I had viewed online. OMG, what I wasn’t prepared for the price increase and the size decrease….and not to mention that you have to pay for parking.
But GOD! As the elders would say.
After looking at several apartments, I was blessed to find a new complex, under my Basic Allowance for Housing that included parking and it was relativity close to work. #winning
I did have end up staying in a hotel for almost a month waiting for my apartment to be ready for me to move in.
My bestie Nicole came up to spend Memorial Day weekend with me.
That month long stay was 2400.00! Do you know what I could have done with that money.. Plus I had to pay for parking daily… transportation to and from work… it was definitely taxing financially. Then I had to pay over 1000.00 for tires and car maintenance (It was time for 80,000 mile maintenance).
But on 18 June, I was blessed to me able to move into my new apartment. My household goods arrived on 30 June. I ended up paying an additional 400.00 for someone to come remove the boxes and junk….which at this time I completely purged my closet, got rid of my couches, dinner room table and chair along with a bunch of other large stuff.
It actually felt good to be able to part ways with items that I had for a while and to actually get organized.
The Lord never left my side throughout this move. There were several setback, tears cried, uncertainties… I was an emotional rollercoaster, but again all Glory to God I am blessed to live in the area and apartment that fits me perfectly.
Now that I have getting settled at work and my apartment is coming together, it’s time for me to get my mental balance back. I have to start back journaling, writing my goals out, my morning devotionals, finishing up my Masters, working out and mediating.
I am super proud of myself and the mental toughness I have. Pray, Resiliency and Faith are key!
I’m back now, I am excited to share my DMV adventures with you.
Until next time💕