Finding Home - Prioritizing Recovery in the Midst of Change
I moved to Washington, D.C. in August 2009 to pursue my Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from American University … and never left. Nine years, two degrees, too many internships to count, and two “adult” jobs later – Washington, D.C. was “home”. That changed in April 2018, when I received an offer to join a reputable technology company. The catch? The position was halfway across the country in Austin, Texas.
After close to a decade living in Washington, I had built a home there – one that I certainly was not ready to give up. I had a close-knit friend group I could call on for anything, numerous social groups I engaged with regularly for professional and recreational purposes, a variety of non-profits that I volunteered for that enabled me to become increasingly connected to my community, and, on top of that, I could easily tell you where to find the best authentic ethnic foods in the area were. In addition, my mother and sister had just moved back to the area after living out-of-state/country for the last three years. Most importantly, Washington, DC was where I was when I first came to terms with my eating disorder and where I got the treatment I sorely needed.
Opting to leave my home and network made the progress I made in my recovery less secure. After weighing the pros and cons for a few days, I ultimately accepted the offer and started planning my move to the Lone Star State.---I settled in Austin *almost* two months ago. The move was anything but easy – from living out of a suitcase for two months, to getting acclimated to a new job, to adjusting to Austin’s oppressive heat.
Over the last few months, I have taken several steps to make Austin “home”, while simultaneously prioritizing my recovery and mental health:
Build a Community
Leaving your home is hard but building a new community in your new city can help make things easier. Ahead of my big move, I gave some thought to how I met my friends in DC – via school, volunteer engagements, the gym, mutual friends, etc. Thinking back to that helped me prioritize the areas in my life I want to get sorted quickly in Austin. Already, I am enrolled in German classes, have identified regular volunteer opportunities, and signed up for a membership at my favorite yoga studio (hey, CPY!). Knowing that I’m putting myself in a position to make friends with similar interests has already made all the difference in settling into my life in Austin.
Establish Your Health Safety Net
Moving can take a tremendous toll on an individual’s physical, emotional, and mental health. As one should always do when moving to a new city (even if they haven’t struggled with an eating disorder), I have already started researching new health practitioners in Austin who can meet all of my needs – from general practitioners to dentists, from optometrists to therapists. These steps are even more important for anyone struggling with a mental or chronic illness and it’s important to get these practitioners lined up as soon as possible to ensure a healthy, smooth transition.
Practice Self-Care:
Moving is stressful. Within a matter of weeks, I uprooted my entire life and relocated halfway across the country. Not only was I worried about starting a new job and making new friends, but I also had to make a new city “home”. As someone already prone to having anxiety, the chaos was overwhelming. However, over the last few months, I made sure to prioritize my own mental well-being over everything else. This has included everything from allowing myself to take breaks, see friends, and take a yoga class or go for a run. Giving myself a mental break went a long way towards making my move less stressful.
As with any major change in life, my move has been filled with ups and downs. However, the steps I’ve outlined above have helped me start my new life in Austin and made me enthusiastic that I can make it “home”.
About Ashley: Ashley Kula has been a crucial part of the Rock Recovery community since 2013. She led a number of Rock's community events and has played a critical role in the growth of the organization. We're grateful for the work that Ashley has done with us and her willingness to share her recovery story with our community. We are so excited to continue to work with her from the great state of Texas!