Sane Shifting

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This blog is not “philosophical” or “deep,” but it's about the reality of life!

We just shifted our home. They say that after death and divorce, moving house is the most stressful experience. Interestingly, studies also show that moving house can actually lead to both death and divorce. Here's an article on that:

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/how-to-move-house-and-bypass-divorce-8508236.html


That said, we've shifted homes about 10–12 times (I’ve lost count) in our 35-plus years of marriage and have managed fairly well. But this particular move feels a bit more challenging. Maybe it’s the age, or the semi-permanency of this shift, or perhaps the likelihood of yet another move now seems far-fetched.

So here are three ongoing lessons from this season of shifting:

One – Shifting is stressful. Accept and embrace it. 

Three things that give me stress: control, confusion, and cognitive dissonance. Let me explain. Control – You are not in control! Luggage that left Delhi, meant to arrive in 7–10 days, takes 14 days and lands in Kerala on Good Friday, when everything is shut for the Easter weekend. Confusion – You thought you had packed with precision, only to find yourself totally confused about where things are. (Could be age-related too!) Cognitive dissonance – You’re in a new place, but your brain and cognitive functions haven’t quite caught up yet.

Two – Shifting strains your back and muscles.

You behave as if you're still in your 30s or 40s, lifting things around — only to end up with a sprained back and sore muscles. My well-meaning spouse and others reminded me many times, “Don’t do it.” But I had to prove that I could do it. I’m still young! And now I’m in pain — and a pain to others. So, learn to live according to your age. Know your boundaries and your margins.

Three – Shifting tests your sanity.

You begin to ask: Why did we plan this? Was there a better time to do it — maybe not in the hot, humid summer of Kerala? Was there a better way? Your mental health is at stake. That’s when I need to be reminded: forget the past, a new season is emerging. Just take one step at a time.

And in the middle of all this, another lesson appeared: Learn from the birds.



They neither sow nor worry. Yet at 6:00 AM, there they are, perched on a shrub, enjoying the flowers and the gifts nature — and the good Lord — has provided. 

So take time each morning in silence. Enjoy what is around and what is emerging. As John Lennon said, “Life happens to you while you are busy making other plans.”

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