Being tired, all the time, that is.
Apparently it has something to do with weather and/or elevation and/or time change, but when people first move here they are tired all the time. I thought it was just the time change. Flying across the continent causes one to change time zones a couple of times. You can end up at your destination an hour after you left!
But these first few weeks have seemed exhausting. Concking out at 9 or 10pm has been the norm. My head still automatically calculates that “Yes, you should be tired. It’s 11 or after midnight in Chicago!” But even during the day I’ve felt sluggish, and my brain has, on occasion, decided it was done for the day. At noon! Ugh. Rather frustrating but I’m learning that there are some things, a great many things really, that simply can’t be rushed.
There must be an adjustment period, and it will clearly on its own time.
Turns out there is a great deal of stress when moving countries. Things you think oughta be simple, like moving money from one bank account to another, are actually ridiculously complicated. It’s like you have to show up in the States to demonstrate you are who you say you are and really are living and working somewhere else so are moving money to cover expenses until the first paycheck arrives. But you also have to show up in Canada in order to demonstrate you are who you say you are and yes you do have a work permit and a job in order to open an account. There really oughta be an easier way but I haven’t figured it out, or found information on it yet. I do know the problem resides with the bank in the States. They have no problem collecting money, but once you mention you want to take some out, they turn grouchy and give you concrete hoops to jump through first.
There really are an inordinate amount of things to juggle and track when moving to a different country. I can see why few people would venture to do this on their own. And again, it’s something I knew. I even made a list of things that would be different, which is pretty much everything. Even Netflix and iTunes are different.
“Fresh start” isn’t just a figure of speech. It’s a literal meaning.
Things seem to be working themselves out a bit more now though, and falling into place. I feel a little more settled in my temporary dwellings, getting into a little more of a routine. Looking ahead a little bit, set some things in motion to take advantage of my new geographic location.
And really can’t wait to get over this whole being tired for the first month or two thing!