Embracing change may not be the easiest thing to do for most of us. I know change is not something that is always welcome but it’s part of life and as we grow older we start to appreciate this. Moving from one country to another, one school to another or one house to another all calls for changing. These are some of the different scenarios that most of us would have experienced in our life time. It’s these situations that taught to learn about embracing change.
“Growth is painful, Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong – Mandy Hale”
When I was 14/5 my parents made a decision that we would move from Zambia to another country. At that time “a country” was not decided upon only that my parents wanted the best for us kids. When we learned of this, it was an amazing feeling but scary too. We would be moving to the unknown country, with no friends or family (that we knew of). Yes our parents decide their children needed the best education they could afford and moving abroad gave us that higher chance.
When it finally happened I was a hormonal 16/7, in a relationship I thought was everything. I did not take change well, yes we were moving to England but I was leaving my entire life behind. There was foresight that I would be creating a new and even better life. Yes it would be better Life in some respects but it was also worse life in other areas. Embracing change wasn’t the easiest thing for me, I hated the weather (still do) and the food.
Embracing Change
I no longer had confidants to talk to apart from my siblings but as a teenager you only share so much. It was super hard, we had to adapt to the culture, the weather, the people and everything. The area we first moved to was nice and we have really lovely neighbours who made us feel welcome. When we started school, we quickly made some friends but it wasn’t like back home. It took some time adjusting to how things worked here.
“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change. – Kim Rohn”
Over the last 15 years, the fear of embracing change after moving from one country to another has disappeared. Now it’s different kind of change that I am learning to embrace. Those close to me know I was in a 10 year relationship which ended. It has been difficult learning how to be me again without being attached to someone. Though I am an independent woman and always have been there still a part of me that was dependent on him. If I am honest with myself the relationship ended three years ago but I held on emotionally because I didn’t want change. It was a tough realisation knowing what was keeping me from moving on. Even though I am now embracing change, it hasn’t been easy and won’t be for a while. But that’s ok, change doesn’t happen over night it takes time.
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it and join the dance. – Alan W. Watts”
With Alan W. Watts’ quote as my base I decided to plunge right in, move with it and enjoy the dance. Though life is nothing like I had imagined before, I am still happy with what I have achieved so far.
HackingParenthood says
Yup, I can totally relate. My mum brought me over from South Africa when I was 15. Obviously I know now it was the best change. Then, not so much.
I didn’t make friends until I started 6th form, after a move from London to Oxford.
I’m now thinking of going travelling long term with my family through Asia. I know what it’s like now, and look forward to change more and more.
Emma - Our Fairytale Adventure says
Change can be difficult, but is sometimes necessary. I love the saying ‘when one door closes, another opens’ and in many cases, is very true.
Cathryn Daws says
I’m not great with change at all. I can imagine that it must have been really difficult moving to the UK.
Ana Razon says
Must be a culture shock for you to come to UK. I too faces many challenges in my life but it makes us stronger and take it as a learning curve. But finding comfort takes a while to adjust to the new changes.
Stella Kashmoney says
Change is painful but sometimes necessary. I had to move a few times while growing up and I didn’t like it one bit too.
Lisa says
It seems like when we are growing up we are often taught to fear change and be comfortable in the same old routines. I think we need to embrace change and see it as an opportunity.
Lyndsey O'Halloran says
I’m terrible when things change. I like routine and any changes really throw me off
Rhian Westbury says
It is hard to embrace change especially when like a relationship or where you grew up you are so dependent on things, or think you are. But change can lead to bigger and better things x