Despite U.S. mobility being at its lowest point since WWII, people still move an average of 12 times in their entire life. I’ve moved 16 times in the past 25 years. That’s a new place every 18 months.
In retrospect, I’ve moved just as many times based on pure boredom than I have based on circumstance or necessity; which means there was definitely something stirring on the inside. Turns out, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Seen here on a recent trip to LA, my Mom is an accomplished interior designer, restaurateur, prolific collector of all things fabulous and mother of four as well as grandmother of four. I have no idea how she does it.
A story I often tell is how every time I would come home from college to our house in Raleigh, it would look completely different. I’m not talking about a seasonal change in throw pillows or a new lamp shade. Think upholstery, painting, window treatments and Tetris-like rearrangement of furniture to accommodate new found pieces– you name it, my Mom did it!
In fact, one weekend I came home to visit (or do laundry and eat lamb stew) and an entire library and sun room had been added on to our house. Seriously! She’s no joke. By now, you might start seeing the connection. Whereas my Mom changes rooms; I change houses.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve lived in some pretty cool spots like Katherine Hepburn’s old studio off Sunset and a mountaintop ranch in Bel-Air just to name a few. But despite living in sensational surroundings my entire life (the Raleigh home included), there always seems to be a sense of restlessness that wells up inside of me every 1-2 years. And my way of dealing with it would be to change digs or as my Mom would say ‘get a new outlook on life’. In essence, it was my way of moving forward.
We all have our thing. It’s part of what makes us tick. Seeing it as a blessing and not a curse, however, is the real gift. And I have my Mom to thank for that.
What’s your thing? That something something that’s unique to you. I’d love to know in the comments below.
Until next time…
Mark, your Mom is lovely.
I think it’s great that you lived in Katherine Hepburn’s home. She was my all time favorite actress, as you are my all time favorite interior designer. I wish you luck and happiness. 119 days ago
I must have that same bug, I have moved so many time in the past 13 years it is ridiculous. Also, like your mother. My house is always a work in progress. My husband says he’s going to nail the furniture to the floor since at least once a week and something is totally different than it was when he left that morning. I told him fine, it’ll just make it harder on him when I have help move the big pieces. lol I didn’t realize you were a Carolina boy. I’m a South Carolina girl myself.
With love,
Stephanie 119 days ago
I am the same way. I get antsy after a couple of years and need to move. I just signed a new lease today…bet you can’t guess what we are doing the next couple of days! My son is 15 and this will be our 9th move since he was born. 119 days ago
I spent my 20′s living in vans and traveling the USA, Canada and Mexico. I came up with ingenious ways to store my few belongings and made my vans look cool and homey every time. I have been to every state but Hawaii (only because you can’t get there by van! haha!) Lately, that old lifestyle is looking better and better to me. My feet have been itchy and restless for awhile now! 119 days ago
I’m basically a small town girl. I lived in CT for 53 years but my “thing” in Disney World. We have visited there so many times that it became apparent that in order to be really happy, we needed to live there. So I’ve only moved once in my whole life and that was in 2008 to Orlando, FL. I am now living my dream to be near the World and go anytime I want, every day if I want. And my health is much better being out of the cold. So moving for me was also a way to get to where I really wanted to be, and not having to fly here and pay for hotels makes it a lot more affordable. The one down side is missing my extended family. But it’s only a 3 hour plan ride! 119 days ago
Angie! I accepted a teaching job in Orlando just to be able to go to DisneyWorld whenever I wanted to go also. (I was driving up from south Florida two or three weekend days a month anyway…why not move up here?)
And Mark, I have moved well over 50 times, usually I get the urge every 2-3 years. So far, Orlando has kept me the longest. I love the idea of rearranging my things in a new place. When I was young I moved my furniture obsessively, just like your mom. Once I put my piano in my kitchen. 118 days ago
And I thank you for being my son to live and pass on the wonderful wonders of living this beautiful LIFE. 119 days ago
Caroline, you have an amazing son. He’s been a huge inspiration in my life since I first met him back in 2009. I have 3 sons and 2 daughters. Each child is so unique and special. I trust one day as my sons grow into young men that I will also have the beautiful relationship and friendship that you both have. Blessings to you and your family. <3 119 days ago
you beat me by four moves. Most of mine were sweat equity homes. We made nice profits while others whined about losing money. Dont want to move for a while, but if someone makes a good offer, I’m gone. All homes sell within one week’s time. 119 days ago
Hi Mark…I don’t have a “thing” as far as my house is concerned….but I love to watch old romantic comedies, vacation in DisneyWorld, and spend time with my kids in my house. I’d love to have my house look a certain way, but at this point, I’d settle for it just to be “picked up and tidy”…..Linda C. from Shirley, MA. 119 days ago
I love reading your blogs.
Interestingly, I’m the exact opposite. My parents still live in the house they lived in when I was born, and I’ve moved only two or three times, both out of necessity. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that I need the stability and continuity of a relatively unchanging home base; after all, the only thing constant in our lives is change, and I think that’s my way of seeking solace from that. But I can completely understand why you, as a designer, would crave change like you do; you’re pretty much the personification of the creative process.
The world would be a much happier place if everyone took time out of the daily grind to really reflect on these idiosyncrasies and try to understand why they are who they are….if only everyone could be such well-adjusted, self-actualized (and humble?) individuals such as ourselves… Teehee.
119 days ago
I have lived with roommates since 2001 … just (!) moved into my own 1 bedroom/1 bath apartment! I LOVE not having to worry that leftovers have been inhaled, or things I put down are going to be moved. Your blog is GREAT inspiration!
Thanks! 119 days ago
My”thing” isn’t about moving around at all but rather deals more with my kitchen obsession. I completely clean out my refrigerator every week. I like it to look brand new and empty. I also like my pantry to look “pretty” so I often reorganize the cans and boxed goods. I get such satisfaction from everything being in its place (including my OCD medication). Lol 119 days ago
I’m constantly changing up rooms in my home. I paint about every 2-3 years. When we bought our home 16 years ago we only had 2 children, now we have 5. We are blessed that every child has their own bedroom plus we have 3 full baths. As the dynamics of my family change through the years I listen to the heartbeat and soul of our home. As a mother I understand the needs each child has and work with their likes, needs and wants. So in a nutshell my thing is to paint and rearrrange as my family grows so they can thrive in an enviroment that suits them. 119 days ago
I’ve moved 25 times in 30 years. My godmother sent me a list of all the places I’ve lived…it’s was little embarrassing!
I’ve found some element of charm in every place I’ve lived…like the tiny ‘skylight’ in the bathroom of one my very first apartments…and the built in shelves in the closet.
This past year, I was able to buy my first house. There’s lots of charm here.
The most important thing, though, is the feeling when walking in the door: there’s a feeling that people have been happy here, that people are happy here. The furniture does gets moved, the curtains aren’t right, I’d like new throw pillows, there’s too much clutter in the family room, the counters are too low in the kitchen, and still I am HAPPY here…like the residents before me, and all of my guests.
Essentially, what makes me tick is my ability to find something to love every place I live. It’s easy to complain…but life is so much more joyful when there are things to appreciate! 119 days ago
These tips are very helpful. I have only move five times in mylifetime and I put a litle of my touch into each abode. 119 days ago
I’m a furniture mover, not a house mover!! I get so bored with the same layouts that I need new. But sometimes there are only so many ways you can arrange a room…
( 119 days ago
First of all, you’ve got a gorgeous Mom!
Secondly, I don’t like to move. Moving for me usually signifies a change in a relationship. However, I’m like your Mom, change what you’ve got to make it wonderful.
My real “thing” is when I’m upset, I reach for my paint deck and try to create something beautiful out of things I already have, or in my mind with things I’ve seen. 119 days ago
I have moved 12 times and it seems I have learned to sell sell sell as many of my furniture pieces and paintings just don’t feel like they work in the new place which is not bad as I can start fresh. I can continue to reflect who I am at my particular time in my life…I have embraced color and have learned that less is more! 118 days ago
My “thing” is I love learning how to do everything. I’ll pick up a nailgun and master that. I design and sew evening gowns, install electronics on airport runways, climb towers, knit Irish knit sweaters, and now I’m learning Spanish..just for fun. I’m not content to be the limit myself with doing only “traditional” female things, PLUS I’m a girlie girl, in that I love dresses and heels. I love your artistic mind, Mark. You inspire me even more. Thank you for being you. Love Lisa 118 days ago
I grew up military and we moved ALOT! My thing was to build my dream house and then STAY there. But I do love to travel and it inspires me to make changes in my home. I didn’t really do a major makeover until I became an empty nester. The kids left all their junk behind and looking at their empty beds only made me sad. My house was a mere storage bin until I began watching Clean House. Mark, you inspired me to explore and create a new environment, leaving the past behind. Now my house is my haven. I love every moment here so thank you. 117 days ago
Wow! in 63 years I have moved 38 times. I will be moving again in March. I really think I should settle down! 112 days ago
I have lost count how many times I have moved altogether, but 5 times in the last 10 years. Some because of necessity others life changes. I have a friend who says I am the only one whose address is in pencil in her address book. LOL. Hopefully, I will move a few more times before I settle down, but half the fun in moving is the challenge of decorating a space to make it look like your home. I moved into my presetn surroundings 6 month ago and I am still working on that. Love you Mark! 111 days ago
i wish u could do my home someday!
oh ya and i am frm pakistan and i have moved about 31 times and am currently in qatar! 104 days ago