Settling into Stoney Creek: Embracing New Beginnings
Hi there! Well, after that whirlwind of uncertainty, I'm thrilled to share that we are finally settled into our new home in Stoney Creek. The limbo we lived in for just over a week now feels like a distant memory, and we’re focusing on making this house our own.
Once we moved in, one of the first things we noticed was the attention to detail the previous owners had put into this home. I’m still discovering cool little details here and there. They even left us a sweet little welcome note, which was such a thoughtful touch and made our arrival even more special. I'm all about small acts of kindness because I know how much they mean to me, and clients have echoed that sentiment too.
We've been spending our days getting the lay of the land, discovering where the stores and restaurants are, visiting local farms, and finding nearby walking paths. Our daughters have been vocal about the distance when they go see friends or attend on an appointment in Milton, especially when the Skyway bridge is packed and slows down their commute. While it's been a huge adjustment for them at ages 18 and 19, we're making a conscious effort to focus on the positives and validate their feelings when they miss the old place. And amidst it all, I’m doing my best not to take their teen girl attitude moments personally—reminding myself that change is hard for them too, even if their eye rolls suggest otherwise! Our dog Toby is settling in more and more each day, adding to the sense of home we're creating here. I’m surprised that I, personally, haven’t had a chance to miss the old place since moving in, but I will always feel sentimental and hold the memories of the old house close to my heart.
My new therapy office in Burlington has been a surprising refreshing change. I love the space and the new routine of working out of the home twice a week. It brings a new rhythm to my days and fresh perspectives to my work.
This entire experience has been a powerful reminder of the importance of adaptability and perspective. It’s true that moving homes, like any major life transition, comes with a ton of challenges and uncertainties. But it also offers great opportunities for growth, new experiences, and fresh beginnings. In the new house, each room becomes a blank canvas, ready to be filled with laughter, love, and new traditions. There's also such a unique excitement in discovering the quirks and charms of a new space and finding new ways to make it your own. It has also forced us to declutter, reorganize, and simplify, which during the process wasn’t fun but now that it’s done, I’m glad we did it.
Here are a few lessons I've been reflecting on during this move:
Thank you to everyone who reached out with inquiries and shared words of support through email or in sessions; your kindness and encouragement have meant a lot during this transition. A big shoutout to my wonderful clients who have already made the trek to Burlington; your dedication is greatly appreciated :)
Hey, thanks for reading this far down! LOL So we're halfway into the summer now, and it’s also the August long weekend! I hope you're spending it in the way that feels most satisfying and enjoyable. Have a great one—enjoying and being present when possible, forgiving yourself when you're not, and making lots of fond memories.
Once we moved in, one of the first things we noticed was the attention to detail the previous owners had put into this home. I’m still discovering cool little details here and there. They even left us a sweet little welcome note, which was such a thoughtful touch and made our arrival even more special. I'm all about small acts of kindness because I know how much they mean to me, and clients have echoed that sentiment too.
We've been spending our days getting the lay of the land, discovering where the stores and restaurants are, visiting local farms, and finding nearby walking paths. Our daughters have been vocal about the distance when they go see friends or attend on an appointment in Milton, especially when the Skyway bridge is packed and slows down their commute. While it's been a huge adjustment for them at ages 18 and 19, we're making a conscious effort to focus on the positives and validate their feelings when they miss the old place. And amidst it all, I’m doing my best not to take their teen girl attitude moments personally—reminding myself that change is hard for them too, even if their eye rolls suggest otherwise! Our dog Toby is settling in more and more each day, adding to the sense of home we're creating here. I’m surprised that I, personally, haven’t had a chance to miss the old place since moving in, but I will always feel sentimental and hold the memories of the old house close to my heart.
My new therapy office in Burlington has been a surprising refreshing change. I love the space and the new routine of working out of the home twice a week. It brings a new rhythm to my days and fresh perspectives to my work.
This entire experience has been a powerful reminder of the importance of adaptability and perspective. It’s true that moving homes, like any major life transition, comes with a ton of challenges and uncertainties. But it also offers great opportunities for growth, new experiences, and fresh beginnings. In the new house, each room becomes a blank canvas, ready to be filled with laughter, love, and new traditions. There's also such a unique excitement in discovering the quirks and charms of a new space and finding new ways to make it your own. It has also forced us to declutter, reorganize, and simplify, which during the process wasn’t fun but now that it’s done, I’m glad we did it.
Here are a few lessons I've been reflecting on during this move:
- Embrace Change: Change is inevitable, and while it can be daunting, as mentioned above, it also brings such new opportunities. By embracing change with an open heart, we allow ourselves to grow and evolve in ways we might not have imagined.
- Focus on Positives: It's easy to get caught up in what's not going right, but consciously noticing and focusing on the positives that are also happening can shift our mindset. Finding the good in every situation helps us to stay optimistic and resilient.
- Validate Emotions: It's important to acknowledge and validate our own feelings and those of our loved ones. Moving is a significant transition, and it's natural to feel a range of emotions. By validating these feelings, we create a supportive environment for everyone to express themselves.
- Appreciate the Journey: Each step of the journey, even the challenging ones, contributes to our personal growth. Taking time to appreciate the small details and acts of kindness along the way makes the experience richer and more meaningful.
- As always, the things that always help me get through are, of course, mindfulness skills, mindfulness attitudes, psychological flexibility, working wisely with my “parts” when they get activated and trying to hold all the nuances with equanimity—kind of like balancing a wobbly stack of pancakes on a Sunday morning.
Thank you to everyone who reached out with inquiries and shared words of support through email or in sessions; your kindness and encouragement have meant a lot during this transition. A big shoutout to my wonderful clients who have already made the trek to Burlington; your dedication is greatly appreciated :)
Hey, thanks for reading this far down! LOL So we're halfway into the summer now, and it’s also the August long weekend! I hope you're spending it in the way that feels most satisfying and enjoyable. Have a great one—enjoying and being present when possible, forgiving yourself when you're not, and making lots of fond memories.