A few years back, I watched “World War Z.” The character Gerry Lane, played by Brad Pitt, says, “Movement is life.”
This phrase stuck with me, probably because the force that drives my life was distilled down in those 3 simple words.
I like to move.
For years, I thought this was because I like fresh beginnings, shiny objects to chase.
Yet I had a beautiful discovery about myself recently.
I love to leave.
I love it.
My dad and I used to sing “take this job and shove it” with the enthusiasm of people who had nothing to lose, at least not while singing that song – ha!
One of my absolute favorite movie scenes is when Keyser Soze walks away from his village that’s up in flames behind him. (The Usual Suspects)
I threw my high school yearbooks in the recycling bin one year in a fit of “Been there, done that.”
I love the view in my rear view mirror.
I have a personality of a dilettante, a wanderer, a rolling stone who is havin’ none of that moss.
I dabble. I jumble. I declutter viciously.
This is not society’s preferred personality type, let me tell you, and certainly not in a woman.
As a woman of my generation, I’m supposed to feather my nest. Stand by my man, preferably in the kitchen baking’ a pie. (Thanks, Cartman, that’s curious advice from you.)
I felt caught between two worlds as a child…then a teen…then a young woman…then a mom.
I love to leave, skedaddle, and vamoose in a culture where I’m encouraged to stay, grow roots, and go deep.
It was very, very helpful to admit to myself, now in my 50s, that I love to leave.
I was in a situation where I was focusing on the love of the beginning, but it wasn’t really propelling me into action.
Then I remembered – aw, snap! – I love to leave!
I coached myself on this admission, allowing myself to feel the guilt and shame. I allowed myself to feel the grief of going against the grain because lovin’ to leave has consequences.
I come from a group of people who love to leave. I see it in my youngest son.
We want to be like the hero of Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again”: “Here I go again on my own / Going down the only road I’ve ever known…”
What about you?
Do you like fresh beginnings?
Do you like to stick with something through thick and thin?
Or do you love to bounce, quit, change your mind, leave?
Each of us has our preferences and that’s part of what makes us unique. I asked myself, “What if my love of leaving has nothing to do with character or morality?” That was a freeing thought!
What about you? Consider the following journal prompts:
- What is your opinion of being a person who sticks with things vs. leaves them? Do you love fresh beginnings or the release of endings?
- What is your opinion about others who love to stay or love to leave? Has your preference for what other people do influenced your relationships?
Have fun learning more about yourself through my public musings.
And now? I’ve gotta run…catch you on the flippity flip! P.S. I invite you to fall in love with the “Less Stress, More Fun” podcast. Subscribe today! Each week’s episodes offer smart, fun ideas to reduce stress and boost your sense of playfulness.
