New Beginning

As we move from one phase of our lives to the next, we can choose to fight the changes or embrace the opportunities they present. I’ve been doing a little of both over the last few months but the best outcomes have occurred when I’ve taken a positive approach. Swimming with the current is definitely much better than swimming against it.

I’ve settled into my new apartment and am getting used to living in a multiple-unit building for the first time. New neighbors to meet, new neighborhood to get familiar with, and new routines to establish. The last part has been the hardest. Simple stuff like learning my new kitchen, taking the elevator to the basement to retrieve my bike to go for a ride, and getting used to what was a walk is now a drive – albeit a short one – are a few of the challenges. It’s also funny to me that I am less than 3 miles from my former house, yet I’m in a different county and a very different town.

      Not having access to a grill, I am re-learning how to cook on the stove and using the oven instead of just firing up the grill. While I miss grilling, this is yet another opportunity to learn new skills – and the oven has “air-fry” mode which I am looking forward to trying soon. Adapting to a much smaller fridge and freezer is also a challenge as I can’t stock up on frozen stuff like I used to. And if it wasn’t for my friend Steve passing his old beer fridge to me, I wouldn’t be able to keep much beer cold – priorities you know.  

      I am happy that there is a local dive bar a short walk from my building and several stores and places to eat within easy walking distance. I’m slowly learning the neighborhood and getting to know my way around town. I’ve lived in the next town for over 25 years but never did much exploring in this town. More opportunities to discover new places while getting some exercise riding my bike around the area.

     All the changes have provided me with a lot of new material to write about, as has my new town, and the experiences I’ve had in the moving process. I won’t elaborate but NJMVC and the US Postal Service are not very good at implementing address changes. Though the MVC did register me to vote at my new address very quickly.

As an introvert I’ve forced myself to come out of my shell more. Taking the initiative to start a conversation with a stranger isn’t the most natural thing for me but I’m getting better at it. Luckily, I have a lot of practice talking beer at local breweries. That and an innate curiosity about people makes it easier, and the more I do it the more natural it feels.

It’s been just over 2 months since I moved and I’m adapting to my new environment and getting used to this next phase of my life. Being close enough to friends and the organizations I am part of has made the transition easier as I have those anchors to keep me balanced. Keeping a positive perspective – a new beginning rather than an ending – helps me to keep my focus on the possibilities this new phase holds for me. That doesn’t come naturally for me, and I have to work at it, but that effort is paying off. No matter what life throws at you, use your support system, try to stay positive, and swim with the current.

www.RetiredandInspiredat55.com  09-22-2025