There are multiple transitions coming for the Barlow & Williams team in August. Nothing will be changing with the firm itself. We’re still going to provide great service and fight for clients to complete business sales and acquisitions, but things will be changing in our personal lives. Mine is the smaller transition but I only describe things happening in my life in this column so that’s all you get. I signed a lease on a house this week, which means I’ll maintain the rhythm of moving every two years that I’ve kept for what will now be four occasions. Each move has been shorter: DC to Charlotte; Charlotte to Raleigh; Raleigh to Durham; now Durham to a different part of Durham. Each of those (until now) also saw me move from one apartment to another so this will at least be some change.

This move feels less consequential in many ways. It doesn’t accompany professional change. It doesn’t come with a need to start from zero in my persistent attempts to find/build community. I won’t change many of my regular destinations or weekly routines. Yet in other ways it marks a more pronounced departure. It will be the first time I’ve lived in a suburb. I’ve only ever lived in a small town or an urban environment. Being tired of my current milieu is part of the impetus for this move, but not that long ago I was adamantly against living on a cul-de-sac. I’m not really sure what has changed for me, perhaps just the passage of time. 

I booked movers yesterday to assist me. I abhor the moving process, something I assume is a near universal sentiment. This time I do have the benefit of a two week period where I’ll have possession both of my new space and my current one, which in combination with the shorter distance of this move will allow me to make a few trips myself with the more fragile items. I’ll leave the heavier furniture to the professionals with their box truck. I just have to pack things between now and then.