Ever had to change your way of living radically for any reason?

Marriage. Definitely. But I expect you’re thinking of something different than that. On two separate occasions I have made a total overhaul of my way of looking at the world. On the outside everything looked the same, but inside my whole world was altered. People began to notice when I changed my habits and behaviors, and for the most part they weren’t happy. Was it better? Definitely.

Divorce. I stayed in my house but had to completely revamp my friendships, my way of thinking about my future and my activities. I had to become a totally independent person.

Oh gosh what a question. Yes indeed. My parents had itchy feet, so I have lived in four countries and traveled to so many I lost count. However, this last move has been the most shocking, overwhelming. I moved from SA to the UK. Culture shock, alienation and bad food have been the order of the day. The weather is the worst part of all. I have a phobia of the weather (weird I know). I won’t go out if it’s really cold.

I am beginning to see that the circle I am in has led to my perception of where I am at. So, hopefully moving on from that.

I suspect though, my image of the UK has been particularly bad for a number of reasons. So, currently trying to turn a corner. (Phew and I did not have the energy for a massive move again I must say). I was looking forwarding to chilling at this age. Seems, I am starting a whole new life once again.

Have I adapted? Probably not. Did things get better? I think I swapped a lot of old issues for new ones. So I’d say no. Although yes in some ways it did get better. I wish life had a scale one you could really weigh in to see if things had improved. Like for example, which is heavier on the scale? Leaving a country that is violent or moving to a country that is alienating? I guess I will adapt us humans are funny that way :). I wish I could stay in this house as I feel it was the only familiar thing I had.

When I retired, and we moved to the small, mountain town up north from the biggish city, we had to change how we approached going to the store, the movies, and out to eat. Before, we were 5 minutes from lots of different restaurants, 2 blocks from the grocery super store, and 5 minutes from the movie theaters. Now, it is 25 minutes to any of those. We now have to plan our day, rather than just doing what we want when we felt like it.

@filmfann in many ways I think you are now better off despite the seemingly covenient life in the city. You probably now have a better quality of life, don’t you?

When I had to retire I had to learn to live within a far more limited lifestyle, both physically and financially. Days of physical and medical therapy fighting my illness. Slowly I learned to walk and make use of what was left of my physical sensation to my legs and feet. Adapting to a physical disability is far easier than staying at home alone with only the TV and this (actually been through 4) laptop to occupy me through the day. When the Doctors cleared me to drive locally, I pressed my luck and made a solo adventure to the Dolly Sods Wilderness and spent a week there to find my center. That was really a turning point for me and I found there was much I can still do after I learn to let go of the things I can no longer do. Sometimes typing it out like this helps to remind me when I am feeling a little blue.

I think moving away from San Francisco was a big life changer for me. I didn’t own a car—and I knew very few people who owned one. I walked or rode public transportation everywhere. It’s a big part of how I stayed thin and trim no matter how much I ate. Now I’m in the midwest and I have to drive everywhere and I rarely get out and exercise. I am fairly sedentary now.

I was also very socially active. I performed in many plays at once and was always going to a rehearsal, performing in a show or promoting a show in a club. I think this may be more of growing up into my 40s, but I just don’t do that stuff anymore.

I loved being open about my opinions and politics. The Bay Area was even more liberal than me so I felt comfortable that most people around me had similar views. In the midwest, I have to hide my political bent.

Like what my grandmother said “I want to go home”. I want things back the way it was. The only advantage is I can watch porn without getting caught.

@filmfann.
The ultimate retirement: ” We now have to plan our day, rather than just doing what we want when we felt like it.”

Moving out on my own, at the age of 19, from a rural village to the third-biggest city in England. Best thing I ever did.

@keobooks, being from the (kinda) Midwest, Ohio, my life is like yours in that to go anywhere you have to drive. Now that I can’t forever, I need to depend on everyone else for transportation. I really have no right to complain, because my husband and friends are awesome and help out when they can, but I can no longer go to the gym and when it’s snowing or icy I can’t go outside to walk. My balance is bad so I need a three wheel bike, and again weather is a factor. Most of my friends have jobs, so I volunteer to have something to occupy my time. I have to admit I want to drive again, but like I said before I really have no right to complain!

@GracieT I still sneak out and drive short distances anyway. There are lots of stupid people to cover my tracks so long as I don’t hit anything

@majorrich, I’m just worried that I’ll have another seizure and kill someone. I’ve been lucky twice already and don’t want to risk it again!

Several times. The first was when I was 14, I left home to attend a boarding school. Then when I left that school at 16 to go back home. Then when I was 19 I joined the Navy. Just before I turned 22 I was honorably discharged, moved back home. A few years later I moved away from my hometown, and most importantly, in 1988 I got married.