(no subject)

[katallison]

I've been trying to type up a grand summative entry about 2007, but you know what? Ta heck with it. Thumbnail sketch: after three years of ineffectual sitting and dithering, 2007 was the year I quit a job I hated, left a university I'd been part of most of my life but with which I'd grown disenchanted, ended a fifteen-year relationship, left a house I'd lived in for seventeen years, divested myself of two-thirds of my worldly belongings, and departed from the city and region that had been my home for half a century, to move halfway across the country and begin a new life.

The factoids themselves are not all that interesting; the emotional states associated with them might be rather more so, but I don't know that I have enough understanding of them yet to write them up. What I do know right now is: I have no regrets for having done any of this, though life just now is a bit more precarious than the ideal. I do have some regrets for how I handled some of the departures and endings, but I have no doubt that making the move was the right thing to do.

And one other thing I do know: 2007 was a testimonial to the fact that action (even if imperfectly executed) trumps sitting and dithering. This is a lesson I've never been able to really get a handle on, being, apparently, deeply and intractably sit-and-dither-prone. But insofar as I have resolutions in mind for this year, they coalesce vaguely around that whole action thing, in many forms and directions. Yeah.

Comments

[lynnmonster.livejournal.com]

Go, you!

I hope that 2008 brings things into somewhat more ideal shape.

Happy New Year!

[rosawestphalen.livejournal.com]

You are brave and amazing. Huge change on that scale requires a great deal of emotional acrobatics. Congratulations on your year of change and good luck with all the new in this new year!

[shayheyred.livejournal.com]

YES! That's the key to everything: action diminishes fear. Or, as a shrink told me once, it's better to be anxious about what you're doing than depressed that you aren't doing anything.

Brava to you for your absolute, well, bravery, in 2007. Here's to an excellent outcome in 2008 for all your chutzpah.

[reginagiraffe]

action (even if imperfectly executed) trumps sitting and dithering

I finally got the gumption to call the plumber to fix the faucet that's been leaking for the last month and a half!

Plus he's going to install the new sink that we've had for, oh, about a year and a half. (We'd do the install ourselves - we've done replacements before - but it involves drilling through tile to install the new bracket which the old sink didn't use.) Plus he installed shutoff valves right at the tub. Plus he's going to fix the newly-dripping shower (cracked stem).

So yes, action beats dithering but, Man!, do I love me some rut.

Good luck with all your actions in the coming year!

[isiscolo.livejournal.com]

Yay you for taking your life into your own hands!

[(Anonymous)]

Wow. You have balls of steel. As a lifelong sitter and ditherer, I salute you -- and I really do wish you the best of luck.

[iwondery.livejournal.com]

Sorry about the anon thing, I thought I was logged in.

[blacksquirrel.livejournal.com]

Well done you! It's not even so much the action thing as the change of direction thing that really inspires me about your transitions this year.

[namastenancy.livejournal.com]

Moving on is always scary but sitting still is worse. I have a friend who retired and has done nothing but eat, watch TV and count her money. Whenever I get anxious - and I am a very anxious person - about all the changes, risks and challenges that I am putting into my life, I look at my friend and realize that the cost of doing nothing is the death of the soul.

May 2008 bring you more balance within your soul.

[anoel.livejournal.com]

Wow. That's a lot of changes! I'm really impressed you did so much and took the courageous route. I know sitting and dithering too well and am going to try to make a change as well. Action is definitely very important. Yay you!

[ignazwisdom.livejournal.com]

The factoids themselves are uninteresting

Says you -- I think it sounds like a hell of a story. But I understand not being able to write things up yet. I am glad that you know you made the right choices, and I hope 2008 treats you wonderfully!

[heresluck]

::waves from afar::

::raises a glass in your general direction::

[sinensiss.livejournal.com]

::raises a glass of champagne:: really, every time I think about what you did in 2007, it's like a neon sign lights up in my brain that says "KAT ROCKS".

[china_shop]

*cheers you on* Happy New Year! May 2008 bring you wonders and joy. :-)

[nagasvoice.livejournal.com]

A very happy New Year to you, and here's to having a great time in your new location!
(toasts you in your active phase!)

[chickwriter.livejournal.com]

Kudos to you and a toast to 2008!

[qe2.livejournal.com]

action (even if imperfectly executed) trumps sitting and dithering.

Word word wordity word. As my father used to put it, "Doin' stuff is better than not doin' stuff." *translates into Latin and makes into shared Q/Kat crest*

[brooklinegirl.livejournal.com]

I SO admire you for all that you did this year. You took hold and just forged ahead and did what you needed and wanted to with your life. That takes so much guts, and I have been watching as you accomplished this huge, amazing thing in your life. 2008 is the year of WONDERFUL STUFF. I feel GOOD THINGS are afoot.

♥

[justacat.livejournal.com]

Well, look at it this way: when you do decide to act, you don't do it half-assed, do you?! That's a pretty amazing upheaval, and it's no wonder that you're not quite certain where you are, emotionally, yet. But what's so great is that the one thing you are certain of is that what you did was the right thing for you, what you needed to do to take your life where you wanted it to go. I think that's wonderful, and I'm so happy for you.

(But very bummed at the suggestion that you're probably going to miss con.txt!!! :( )

[maxinemayer.livejournal.com]

Kat - I hardly know what to say! This level of upheaval and yes, achievement, is awesome. To start over from scratch, taking with you only your skills and your courage - it's a great thing you've done. You're probably still in shock - I know I would be! Hang in there! My love and prayers are with you for a smashing, rocking, joyful 2008 for you and your friends! God bless! Love ya, max

[meri-oddities.livejournal.com]

Happy New Year. You know, I'm so impressed that you could do this. It takes some kind of bravery and determination to change such a settled, comfortable life. *applauds*

[raveninthewind.livejournal.com]

Best wishes for 2008.

Welcome to Seattle. :)