Rearrange Change

Who knows what I was thinking about in 2000 when I made my first Letterpress Project. I remember visualizing the final project. 1" cut blocks of letters to move around and create, but I can't remember the basis of the words I used. It makes me blush a little now. I got this print out last week and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. Considering so many changes are happening to most of my near and dear right now, I am constantly thinking of change. I feel like so many people are at the point where they need to make a series of choices to make the changes in their life they want to happen.

"At first everything is surreal"... what does that even mean? I want to shake my 21 year old self and guide her. Things do change, but I'm not sure only time does it. I saw everything in a new light? I remember that part. Sometimes you are struck with a moment of clarity that you wish you would have had at the beginning of a project. "Everything" seems such the dramatic word now. I've never adapted well to change. I adamantly hated most change growing up. I threw a diva worthy tear fest when my dad sold his 1969 pick up truck in 83' when I was 5. When my parents talked about shopping for a bigger house when I was in junior high, I nearly had a panic attack when faced with the idea of leaving the house I grew up in. My heart literally skipped a beat when we drove my twin sister to college 2 states away, when we'd never been apart for more than a few days. It took me many years to come around to the fact that change might be a good thing. I'm a creature of routine. It takes me almost all summer to adjust to our 8:30 am summer work schedule. When Life is moving on along happily, I hate to rock the boat.

Every now and again that Boat needs a rocking though. Some things change gradually... over time. Others, need a little push. When I moved to NY 9 years ago, I only thought I'd stay for 5. I thought I would tackle the big city pretty quick and move to a little quaint house with a matching community and trek on with life's little plan. I realize now that it's not that easy to pick up every item you've acquired and relocate away from your friends, career, and connections. I hear so many questions and not many answers. Where should we move? What do I love to do? How can we increase our quality of life? Wouldn't it be awesome to have a washer, dryer, and dishwasher? Where are the jobs? If we pick up and move, will we regret it? What if we buy a house and we can't sell it if we want to move? We have way too many choices! Who knows if the grass is greener somewhere else. Choices are hard. They are hard to make and increasing harder to maintain.

I got this old project out for a little inspiration and motivation for printing, and it's ignited a whole other passion for change. I guess the point of the project circa 2010 is to pick apart what you already know and rearrange it however you see fit to create your happiness. I'll try to do just that.

Are you doing what you love? Living where you want to live? Create on, my friends.