Changes
Well, a few weeks ago there was a change. I was planning to resign from my full-time faculty position this year so that I could focus on what I feel God has called me to fulfill. But, as luck would have it, I was informed that my contract would not be renewed for the next academic year as the position is being dissolved. Harm done? Well, it did sting a bit. As with my experience in higher education administration, there is a lack of awareness of the work that underlings do on a daily basis to support students and keep the systems moving forward. On the flip side, this may have been God’s affirmation that it is time to move on from full-time employment and go back to self-employment.
2025 is bringing many changes for me. First, two years ago I moved into a large, brand new home in which I did all of the interior design. It is a lovely home located in a 55+ community with loads of amenities. I like it here because it is so quiet and there is no light pollution, so I can view a starry sky at night. I have come to realize I do not want to slow down nor do I want to maintain a 2,064 square foot home. I figure I have another 20 years of pursuing my passions, keeping my mind sharp, and serving others. The house has, however, given me the space to go through all the boxes and bins of stuff that no one wanted from after my parents had passed away. As trustee, I got stuck with all the leftovers. My parents were depression babies. They kept everything because you never knew when you needed it. And, my mother being the gracious hostess she always was, bought things in anticipation of someone needing something. Sorting and giving away so much gave me pause to think of all the things I have had in boxes or in cupboards for decades but have never used. I then decluttered my own things. It was amazing to realize how much I had. All this decluttering made me realize I really am a minimalist at heart.
I grew up in Orange County, CA in an affluent neighborhood with high standards of living. I was taught I needed a big home with lots of stuff. When I lived in Montana from 2018 - 2021, I lived in a 39’ luxury fifth-wheel. I actually enjoyed it. This got me thinking. Why not build a custom tiny home on wheels. My large home is now for sale. I have found, what I have been told, to be the only custom tiny home on wheels builder in the US. I can design my own home from the trailer up! (I am the daughter of an architect, by the way.) Tiny Heirloom is located in Portland, OR . They build their homes in their warehouse. Beautiful craftsmanship. As soon as my house sells, I will go under contract with Tiny Heirloom and start my build. My sales representative is Brian - he is amazing. Now I can take my house wherever I want to go. And where am I going…
I want to bring my areas of expertise to local areas; offer parent special education workshops at local schools/libraries; play my harp at retreat locations; meet with women who are struggling to overcome abuse and trauma. I want to be on the ground serving others and doing research to better understand best practices as I have for so long in Southern California and via my remote university work; touching the lives of others. I would love to visit you, so let me know!
And, along the way, I will take my home to the San Francisco Bay area to stay for a while and visit my older daughter and her family and then travel south to the Eastern Sierras to stay for a while with my younger daughter and her family. I want to visit the ten remaining US states I have not explored, explore all of the US National Parks (https://www.nps.gov/index.htm), hike hundreds of trails, sit in awwwe of nature, venture further into Canada, and finally get up to Alaska. My companions will be my two English Springer Spaniels - sisters now 10 months old.
It will be a minimalistic being. And yes, 2025 is another year of discovery. Who am I? What do I need? This is a step in my long healing journey.
Welcome to my journey ~
Julie
If you feel so moved, please reply with your thoughts.
Note: JM Lane is NOT a mental health professional, nor does she carry a license to practice medicine. Posts, blogs, and content are based on JM Lane’s personal experiences, perceptions, and reflections. By no means does any material convey what others should or should not do.