Let’s talk about moving.
Not the cute, “new throw pillows and housewarming gifts” kind of moving. I’m talking about the chronic-illness-kind-of-moving—where you’re managing a healing protocol, working and trying to convince your dog that yes, we live here now.
This move was bittersweet. The place I just left was more than a home—it was our safe haven for 2.5 years. It’s where my healing journey truly began. This was the first home where I felt safe—physically, emotionally, and environmentally. It wasn’t just walls and furniture; it was the foundation for nervous system repair, detox support, and so many small wins. I began bee venom immunotherapy here and gained the confidence to rebuild and repair my mind and body.
I’m adding a video to say goodbye to that space, because it deserves to be honored. But I knew in my heart: it was time.
Time to step outside the safety bubble and move closer to community. To real-life hugs and grocery stores like Trader Joes and Whole Foods (yay!) So I packed up everything (again), said goodbye (again), and started over (again). This time with a little more strength—and Lola by my side.
I Packed My Life, My Protocol, and My Pup
When you’re chronically ill, moving isn’t just about location—it’s about survival. I needed to ensure my new home was low mold to ensure I was safe to be using BVT, as well as closer proximity to my partner for more date nights!
I thoroughly cleaned everything with a special mold cleaner and did the best I could to stay on top of ordering new air filters and cleaning my dehumidifiers before the big move! It felt like a huge emotional release to purge some things that weren’t serving me anymore.
Pro tip: Always have a “first 3 days” box—something with daily essentials with clean sheets, Lola’s food and 2 fav toys (duh), and your comfiest clothes. Because when you can’t find your PJs or your electrolytes on day one, you may cry. (Speaking from past experience.)
And before moving in, I scoped the neighborhood like a detective on a mission. I was on the hunt for:
- Quiet walking paths
- Dog-friendly green spaces for recall training
- My fav grocery stores and farmers markets
- Bonus points for a neighbor who loves dogs and waves at 7 am
This move wasn’t about chasing perfection. It was about creating the next level of healing—one with more connection, even if that means a little more unpredictability. Scary but hey that’s life!
🐾 Helping Lola Adjust to Her New Queendom
Let me tell you: Lola has feelings.
She’s part healer, part emotional support fluff, and part tiny security guard. Within 24 hours of moving in, she’d already chosen her window (for squirrel surveillance) and her perfect spot to sleep (not in either of her two beds, mind you).
But even the bravest pups get stressed with change. Here’s how I helped her adjust—and kept my own nervous system in check too:
- Repeat daily walk routes. Predictability is calming. Even if it’s just to the end of the block and back, it helps build familiarity with all the smells of the new hood.
- Bring the smells of home and place around the house. Scent = comfort.
- Place familiar toys around the house and invite familiar faces over for dinner to help her acclimate.
🚶 New Routines, Same Nervous System
My resilience has increased so much the last year, and adapting to my new surroundings much quicker now, thankfully. This helps Lola as she feeds off of my energy. I try to keep it positive for her and my sanity!
Our new routines have became sacred quickly and I am loving thm:
- Early potty strolls first thing in the morning to ground int he grass and reset my circadian rhythm in the sunshine.
- Evening routines that feel comfy and safe —amber lights on, jazz music playing, gentle stretching, Lola snoring by my side.
- A quiet corner of my home to have my sting sessions and listen to my sound bowls.
The Bees Came Too: Moving with my Bee Hut
Oh, and did I mention I moved with my last batch of bees? I was a bit nervous because they are very sensitive to temperature and stress, but they survived! Sting days don’t pause in my world. I feel better when I am stinging, so I try to avoid skipping days if possible! I have been at 10 stings three times a week now for 6 months, but was ramping up in stings a year prior. Coordinating sting days around the chaos of moving required carefully transporting my bees, protect them from temperature shifts, and ensure I had a clean, mold-free environment where I could safely sting when I arrived.
So I planned the move between sting days, loaded up my detox tools last, and prioritized setting up a sting-safe area immediately after arrival. No candles. No weird paint fumes. Just air filters, bee supplies, comfy blanket to cozy up with Lola and plenty of clean filtered water!
🧼 Starting Fresh with Low-Tox Living
One of the things I was most excited about with this move? A clean slate—literally.
After living in a space that supported deep healing, I wasn’t about to mess that up with harsh chemicals or high mold in my home. Testing my environment with an ERMI, was step 1. While I am in a new build, the construction can still become moldy while being built. Also, I replaced all air purifier filters, as well as deep-cleaned my humidifiers prior to moving. I have worked very hard on keeping myself safe, while also learning not to fear mold to help me regulate my nervous system! Yay Primal Trust in supporting me on this!
I’ve fully committed to a low-tox cleaning routine, while staying fragrance-free! Think….baking soda, borax, vinegar and a HEPA vacuum cleaner. My newest little splurge was Branch Basics cleaning supplies. I am in love with them already and its giving me a break from plain ol’ vinegar water!
Check out another blog to learn more strategic ways to keep your air clean here.
Switching to non-toxic products isn’t just about avoiding irritants—it’s about supporting my immune system, endocrine system and nervous system with every choice I make. From washing Lola’s bowls to swapping out plastic Tupperware to glass, every product I touch either supports healing… or works against it. And I’m choosing support my body with simplicity in my cleaning supplies and overall lifestyle. This leans well into my minimalistic lifestyle very well!
Rooting into the Present: Starting My Little Patio Garden
With so much change, I needed something tangible to root me—literally. So, I committed to starting a patio garden. As a farmers daughter, you would think I would have done this before, but nope! Super excited to take you all along on this learning opportunity.
While the intention of this garden is to actually grow things, it also helps to remind me that establishing yourself in a new community takes time, patience, and the right conditions—just like growing this new little garden.
The act of tending to something living (besides myself and Lola) has brought calm to my mornings. It’s a ritual. A pause. A moment to connect with the Earth and remind my body, you’re safe here. And bonus—fresh herbs for all the healing meals I’m making in our new kitchen. Stay tuned for snap peas, tomatoes, lettuce and green onions! Luckily my dad has a much larger garden he always shares with me too.
💛 Final Thoughts from Our New Home
If I’ve learned anything from the dozens of times I’ve had to start over, it’s this:
You’re not back at zero. You’re just recalibrating. Luckily, this was not my first rodeo, so it went very smoothly and Lola acclimated pretty quickly. As long as we are together, we are home!
Lola and I are still adapting. Still healing. Still finding our rhythm in the chaos. But we’re doing it—together.
So if you’re moving, healing, or starting over: give yourself grace, pack comfy snacks, and know that it will get easier!
Because some of the best chapters start with a relocation… and this time a whole lot of dog hair.
Thanks for being here and all of your support! I love sharing our healing journey back to wholeness, buzz along for more day to day fun on instagram or tiktok @healingwithlolaandme
Happy Healing!
Lola and Amy
Hiya! My name is Amy. I am a Lyme Warrior navigating my healing journey with my emotional support dog, Lola by my side! I rescued Lola girl in 2022 when I needed her the most, she is an Australian Shepherd/Border Collie Mix with lots of love to give. Buzz along with us as I share all things pet therapy, dog training and my personal healing journey from Lyme and all the things that accompany it!