Time to move again...

After having spent almost a full year in Launceston, it's now time for us to pull out the moving boxes again and start on a new adventure as we move to Burnie, a coastal town in north-west Tasmania, in less than a month.

I thought I'd jot down a few of my thoughts on the moving experience, as it's now been 12 months since we moved to Tasmania (I wrote a blog post here on my thoughts a few months in).

One of the things I struggled with the most when we first moved here was missing my friends and family back home, and trying to make new friends here. I think one of the major things I learned was that it definitely takes time, and you can't expect to have a new group of friends instantly. I also learned that you can't plan your friendships - some of the people I have grown closest to, I met through very unexpected circumstances (who would have thought that my optometrist would be one of my best buddies here!).

I also learned that moving away from home doesn't mean that you will lose all your old friends, but it does mean that you have to put in effort with keeping up the communication. I have gone back to Sydney 4 times this year, and each time I've tried to catch up with as many close friends as possible. I have also come to realise how important it is to keep in contact with friends and family, whether it be via text, email, facebook message, or a good old phone call.

I think one of the most valuable parts of moving somewhere new is the chance to discover so many areas that you would never get the chance to explore otherwise. This year, I have seen some of the most beautiful, unspoiled, beaches; I have hiked through waist-deep snow; I have surfed in 12 degree celcius water; and of course, I have tasted so much delicious seafood, cheese, berries and wine. Living in Tasmania has presented so many amazing experiences, and I'm excited to discover more of the north-west coast of this beautiful island in the coming year.

Having gone through the moving experience this year, from the initial shock, to feeling like I now have two homes, I think I am equipped to face the upcoming move and all the exciting adventures (both ups and downs) that will come with it. While there are so many emotions that come with moving away from somewhere you love to somewhere completely unknown, I think it is important to remember that you are not losing anything; rather, you are gaining friendships in a range of places, that you can continue to grow no matter where you are.