Moving is an extreme sport; it risks your (current) life and forces you to adjust under the most challenging climate and situations.
It is not for those with weak hearts.
It requires strength and faith.
Twenty years after its publication and over 100,000 copies sold, Susan Miller’s bestselling book After the Boxes Are Unpacked is back in its new expanded edition with more practical tips and spiritual guidance in helping women cope with the trauma of moving.
Miller writes in a language that speaks to the readers like a nurturing mother caring for her infant. Her sharings are genuine and sincere having been in the shoes of millions of women who were uprooted from the lives they were accustomed to to move to another place for varied reasons.
There has been no book that speaks with gentleness but strongly deals with the emotions which come with transitioning from one’s old home to the new place.
I’ve been moving in the last 29 years of my life. This includes moving 10 times within the Philippines, a move from Philippines to China which involved moving to two apartments twice, and then the great leap forward of moving from China to the USA. We are due to move again in a month or so.
Moving is exhausting — physically, mentally, emotionally. Let’s not even discuss the financial cost that comes with moving furniture pieces, luggages, valuable items that you don’t want to be separated from because they are memories of love, hope, faith, happiness, trust.
The book agrees in that aspect; it allows women to complain, whine, and rant about their hardships and difficulties but… it doesn’t stop there.
Miller emphasized that there is something the woman mover can do to battle anger, frustration, and depression. It tells women — with basis from her experiences — that we don’t have to forget our past friends while we go about our present lives as we look forward to the future.
Write a letter to your friend. Send a party card. Subscribe to a magazine from your hometown. Maintain a journal. Join a book club. Explore your new city. Check out a different restaurant once a week.
These and more are her suggestions and you are free to work on something that will make you a better person as you transition from your big move.
It has to be noted that this book is swimming in faith-based teachings and principles so if you’re uncomfortable about that you may find this preachy. But still… give this book a chance. Miller did not only talk about herself but included testimonials of different women she has encountered over the years who were willing to share their stories in this book. There is a big chance you’ll read about a woman with similar experiences.
As the founder of Just Moved Ministry and developer of a study based on this book, Susan Miller knows that you, me, we are not alone in this process of moving on after moving in a new home, city, or country.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from the Tyndale House Publishers for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write positive reviews. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”.
