Living in a Hotel Room, Starting Over, Moving Up and Out

Growing pains, and "starting over" pains are real.

It is not easy, but just put one foot in front of the other - This too shall pass.

Everyday will not be like this one.

Living in a hotel or small transient apartment is better than staying in a public shelter, or worse...the streets.

(If you have not already read them, I have two other Hubs to help those who are already down, and feeling no hope.)

Here is hoping some of the earlier tips from Living in a Hotel Room - Starting Over - Part I, and Living in a Hotel Room- Starting Over - Part II have given you hope, encouragement, some good tips, and a few laughs.

When we start to feel cramped and uncomfortable in the confined living space, it is a good sign. It is okay that NPS (No personal space), is getting on your nerves.

Remember the days when something as simple as going potty, could be done without everyone listening in; giggling on the other side of the door?

In the hotel room, turning on the "fart-fan" covers your noises, but it squeals like the "Three Little Pigs" running from the Wolf. You always keep one eye peeled on the fan, because you suspect it will fall from the ceiling some day soon.

You have been nice to the maids - a model hotel-dweller, but whenever you are out looking for a job, someone takes food out of the fridge, and you feel that your stuff is being pilfered through.

The homeless are very defensive over what little stuff they may have been able to hold onto. It is a compounded injury to have their stuff stolen...they have lost so much.

This discomfort means, you are getting stronger and desire change. This is good, although it probably does produce some anxiety. This is normal...Breathe...Deep Breaths.

Don't forget to breathe deep every chance you get.

When you lost your home, your mind and body did its best to protect you from shock.

Losing a home, often means losing jobs, autos, health insurance, etc...the chain-of-events lottery...

When you hit the numbers on this game; it is like getting kissed repeatedly by Pennywise from "It" - the Stephen King movie. The nightmarish kiss lingers.

When a person has had this type of shock, it may be akin to PSTD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Staying in shelter, you have finally reached a level of safety.

This is only temporary shelter.

Help comes, like Food Stamps, and other resources finally come.

It is scary to risk this temporary safety and to get back to living in a real home, but the restlessness grows.

Thinking about taking the large steps of being in a real home, can actually produce stress and anxiety.

Now that you have started getting steady work, and things are looking better, you are noticing that it is quite expensive living day-to-day, or hopefully week-by-week in a hotel or transient apartment.

Millions of homes sit vacant all across America. Some people were able to save theirs, many were not. Looking at all of these once loved homes, sitting lonely and forlorn; it is easy to think of it as a wasteland and only loss. Like the second shoe salesman who landed on the island where no one ever wore shoes; empty homes and homeless people are a golden opportunity for hope, happiness and success. [The first shoe salesman landed, turned around and left. He only saw it the way it was, he was unable to imagine the way it could be ]

Everyday, we are losing 8 small farms in America...I believe this is another opportunity to match generational small farmers, with homeless individuals and families. There are many abandoned properties, and distressed areas of towns, cities and parish's. Those empty structures are opportunities galore.

One thing that is needed in the market today is cold, hard cash. Credit is hard to come by. When you have lost everything, and are forced to file bankruptcy, you are starting with a clean slate. This is an opportunity and time to work double and triple hard to save as much cash as you can. In a few months, you can either rent a place, or maybe rescue an abandoned or distressed property. I have recently read stories of people buying their foreclosed home back, and at much more affordable price.

In most municipalities, at the tax collectors office, they have properties that were confiscated or foreclosed on over the past several years. There may be thousands of dollars, or tens of thousands of dollars back taxes owed, but in many cases, if you come with a Plan and a promise and pennies on the dollar, you can acquire a distressed or tax delinquent property. There are many options for making this work for you...even getting your monthly mortgage paid, by renting out the other duplex you rescued.

There are many people who are real estate guru's and know the technical end of real estate, and buying forfeited and foreclosed properties.

Remember your Library and Librarian. That person can direct you to resources to help you find out what steps to take, who to contact and other good information.

In today's economy, and lack of services for the homeless, or those living in marginal conditions, the library is taking on more, and striving to provide information and resources to those who do not know where to turn.

July 27, 2010 / Bob Marley - Three Little Birds Vimeo