What was...... is gone.
What will be...... lies ahead
We feel like the baby bird feels leaving it’s comfy nest and flying into mid air to find a new location. Suddenly it is out of the nest and out of the comfort zone, and it flaps its wings frantically trying to find it’s footing. In the wild search to reconnect, that time suspended in mid air feels frightening and unstable. After much flapping and struggling it experiences the comfort of free flight.
Perhaps it is for this reason that making new friends and feeling ‘at home’ again is so difficult. A new location, throws us out into the void, where we don’t feel we belong. It’s uncomfortable and scary.
Try these survival tips to help you reconnect:
You don’t have to get rid of all of your old relationships the day you
step out the door. Those old friendships will give you the confidence to try
new ones.
This is your chance to try new things. See what your new environment has to
offer. Contact the Chamber of Commerce and other community groups to research
opportunities. You have nothing to lose.
Take new relationships one step at a time. Start with a small meeting over coffee
or talking to people at community events. Ask them about their town, and see
if they have similar interests. If you are a little shy, practice by talking
to strangers at the grocery store, or over the phone. Don’t expect to
fall into a whole new social life immediately. It will come gradually the more
you try.
Be a learner and a listener. People love to be listened to. Use eye contact,
listen, be curious and really care. Relationships begin there.
Adopt the ‘adventure attitude’… live life as a child, explore,
learn, try and allow yourself to go through the trial and error method of finding
out what is comfortable in your new environment. The ‘adventure attitude’
is positive and proactive.
Get rid of expectations. Don’t expect your new friends to be as comfortable
as your old ones right away. Give them time.
GIVE YOURSELF TIME and be easy on yourself.
Eventually, you will be comfortable in your new nest.
