More than 43 million Americans move each year, half between May and Labor Day. My family was included in those statistics this year, and last year our office moved. Considered the third most stressful event in a person’s life-after death and divorce-I found the moves physically exhausting, but emotionally challenging in a positive way. As with most things, coping with a move is all about attitude.

The average American moves 12 times in a lifetime, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and we have the highest mobility of any country. Having moved at least 20 times in my life-across town, across the state, as well as out of state-I’ve had some training in the process. I learned early in life how to adapt to a new environment, whether it be my room, the town we moved to, the new neighborhood, the school or church we attended, or the new friends we would meet.

Exploring became, and still is, a great adventure. These moves always provided an educational opportunity for me, and a chance to re-design not only my "space," but in some instances, my identity. A move from one city to another prior to high school allowed me to begin calling myself "Jan" instead of my given name of "Janet" without having to retrain teachers or friends.

A move first requires the purging of unnecessary items-things never used, outdated, worn-out, or broken. The more often one moves, the easier it becomes to recycle. I was taught early to try to adapt existing pieces of furniture, coordinate color schemes, etc., but inevitably something wouldn’t fit the new space. A lesson to be realized later in life was that "things" of course, do not make a home.

The people within the living space make the home. Moving offers the opportunity to be creative, to change colors, styles, and even to change lifestyles. Eating breakfast in the dining room instead of a kitchen counter, for instance. Relocating that rarely seen curio from an upstairs hall to a larger living room. Furniture, pictures, and collectibles are often "rediscovered" in new surroundings.

My children would usually catch my excitement with the moving concept. We would dream of our new space and prospect of making new friends, while planning how to keep in touch with current friends. Visiting with the neighbor became an event for my sons, as "hanging out" for the evening became an overnight or weekend stay. The excitement would build on the prospect of getting a new bedspread to finally having separate bedrooms.

One of our moves was featured on a WEEK "Kids Nowadays" special, hosted by Christine Zak. "What do you think about this move?" Christine asked my four-year-old daughter. "Well," she said, "there’s lots of other kids to play with, and there’s four swing sets!" She proceeded to arrange her doll bed and "babies" around her new room while being video taped, feeling very proud of her decorating talent.

At almost 17, this summer’s move provided an exercise in patience for my daughter, as her cell phone and television reception is limited due to the surrounding trees, and drive time home from a friend’s to meet curfew necessitates an earlier departure. Swing sets are not the concern, but having seen her first snake on the patio, she walks her miniature Dachshund outside with a keen interest in her surroundings.

Change from the routine is therapeutic, I’m convinced. One doesn’t have to change addresses to enjoy the benefits; rearranging the furniture or a break in routine habits would work as well. That’s probably why I enjoy the changing Midwest seasons so much-the anticipation of the first snow is as exciting as a the first summer picnic or pool party. Enjoy the summer! TPW