I moved 13 times over 15 years to advance my career. I would never wish this on anyone.

"With every move, packing felt heavier, and hiring movers didn't lighten the load. The sight of boxes became demoralizing. Moving so frequently lost its excitement. Every new city, I'd think: new cafés, new restaurants, and new yoga studios! But once I actually settled in, I only started to miss the spots and familiar faces I'd left behind."

"Every time I'd, again, go out frolicking, eating, meeting, and socializing, a cloud of impermanence would steam from the back of my head. I became confused about how much to invest in new relationships. I wondered if I should connect deeply with new people, if it was likely I'd be moving."

A developmental psychology professor describes moving 13 times across the United States while pursuing an academic career, including multiple cross-country relocations. Starting with figure skating commitments at 15, the pattern continued through undergraduate and graduate studies, postdoctoral positions, and tenure-track appointments. Early moves brought excitement about new cities and opportunities, but repeated relocations became increasingly burdensome. The accumulating weight of packing, hiring movers, and managing boxes created emotional demoralization. Beyond logistics, frequent moves generated persistent feelings of impermanence and disconnection from family. The speaker struggled with relationship investment decisions, uncertain whether to form deep connections knowing departure was likely. By the 30s and third year of tenure-track, exhaustion replaced enthusiasm. The final move to Southern California represented a turning point where career advancement success was tempered by profound emotional fatigue and desire for stability.

Read at Business Insider