Mahitha Suresh

Moving home after 20 years, was an experience filled with the excitement of looking forward to new things, and sadness at leaving so much behind.

Which home isn't stuffed to overflowing with memories? I remember being carried over the threshold as a new bride, in front of a dozen people, by my very non-demonstrative husband. I remember where my son jumped off the table pretending to be superman, split open his chin and left blood stains I couldn't scrub off for 3 days, and I remember where my daughter took her first steps.

It's terrible to walk away from all of this, but a new home is like a fresh clean board. With the wisdom that is supposed to come with years, you are free to make of it what you will, and when I moved, I promised myself I would leave all the needless emotional baggage behind, fill this place only with positive energy and happiness. That's the way it has been so far and I hope to keep it that way.

For people who are moving I would say take lots of photographs of your home with your family, your friends, your dogs, plants, of nooks and crannies, in the sunlight and rain. These are precious memories. Plan and start the process of moving at least 2 months in advance and ruthlessly discard what you don't need - take with you only what you can't live without.

I wish Mathangi and Chamiers all the best with your move - its one more chance to reinvent yourself while keeping the warmth that is so 'Chamiers.' I look forward to more happy times with you in your new home.

Geeta Rajagopalan

Born into a bureaucrat's family, I was brought up in the same house from the time I was born, until my father retired. I would spend hours mentally decorating and redecorating various rooms in the house, giving flight to my imagination, wherein I would be an interior designer with the world as my canvas. Little did I know, that this flight of fancy would actually be given wings when I got married to a man whose zest for life and profession led to a change of residence throughout my married life. I moved houses, localities, cities and countries, each change enriching and fulfilling my wish of designing interiors of houses all over the world.

Every new place had a new ambience, and playing with this became my pastime and passion. Instead of daunting me, every aspect of moving gave me new perspectives: from rediscovering my old furniture and the objects d'arts that I had collected from my various forays into local markets all over the globe to buying new pieces to reflect the growing palette of my life!

Every new place gave me a chance to de-clutter, decorate and add that special touch to every room that was uniquely mine. I gained insight into other cultures, people and, best of all, I got to give house-warming parties expanding my ever-growing circle of friends!