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Transitions & Transformations
Spring 2013 |
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 Welcome to Transitions and Transformations, my seasonal newsletter for people who want to learn and grow through times of change.
Here at Alive to Change, I work with individuals and groups as they explore the different aspects of their own personal transitions.
Change is inevitable. We know that intellectually, yet we often resist this when change is forced upon us. The energy we use to fight what is happening could be used to help us explore this opportunity for transformation.
I invite you to be alive to the possibilities present in and during change. Let's explore ways of being alive right now whatever changes come.
The twin themes of transition and transformation cry out to be linked to the seasons, so my intention is to publish this as our seasons change in the northern hemisphere. Each issue will explore what the seasonal change brings and will highlight one specific transition.
I welcome your insights and experiences as well as ideas for future topics.
Kirstin
Kirstin@alivetochange.com
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 Winter to Spring Here is a welcome transition for many. We move from the cold, the dark, the apparently lifeless toward something lighter, brighter, and dynamic. Buds and bulbs appear, promising new life. There's a sudden shift in energy as the clocks spring forward to reveal lighter evenings.
In our own lives, we all have these transitions. Winter reminds me of periods where we are inwardly focused, perhaps recovering from illness or injury, perhaps dealing with loss, perhaps feeling hurt, sad, sick and tired, frustrated, shocked, or stressed. Like we do in Winter, we slow down, close our doors and curtains, and settle in for the storms to pass.
The signs that we are starting to shift out of our winter period can come slowly and gradually. A lighter moment, a warmer feeling, a bright mood drifts by. These might come and go several times before appearing to settle for a while - only to be replaced suddenly by grey skies.
When we're moving from Winter to Spring, we can have good days and bad days. Good hours and bad hours. Moments when we feel we are getting "there", moments when we feel we will never get "there". We look forward to "when we can . . .".
Yet in constantly looking towards "when" and on "there", we miss out on now and on here. If we've slowed down, perhaps we also have time to invest in getting to know what now is like. Could we stop wondering and worrying and planning for the future long enough to enjoy listening to the pitter patter of raindrops, to follow the angry storm clouds, or to breathe in the fresh air left behind after the deluge.
I suspect we learn more about ourselves during these times of transition that we never get to discover in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We learn to be more patient with ourselves, to begin to accept more as things are, to adapt more, to find out what is most important in that moment and to focus on that. Here is a precious time, like all times, to cherish not to wish away.
We know that come Spring, all will again change, in a hustle of blossom and a bustle of new growth. |
 Focus on Relocation As a major transition, relocation has it all - a new place to live, new surroundings and people, perhaps another language, coupled with a sense of loss of an old life and lifestyle. It's one of the biggest "fresh starts" you can have and can feel tremendously exciting at times. However, the impacts of relocation on the individual can be significant and long lasting, and we experience these in our own unique way.
To make this work, there is a need to invest time and energy not just on the practical side of the move, but on the emotional and personal adaptation too. Unpacking "yourself" after a move can be the trickiest part - and at a time when you may feel vulnerable in a new environment, you know you need to be outgoing and sociable to get connected and to start to feel settled.
There can be a sense of loss of an old life and a "gap" before a new life is created. This inbetween stage of exploration and discovery can feel scary and uncertain - or alive with possibilities, depending how you view it. There can be a honeymoon period when you almost feel lik you are on holiday, followed by a dip of energy and motivation, and homesickness can crop up when you least expect it.
In preparing for my own relocation, I became fascinated with the various personal challenges I was facing - how to introduce myself now I didn't have my important job title to give me a short cut into conversations, how to string together an interesting enough phrase in French so that I could start to connect with like-minded souls, how to get over my fear of standing at the school gates every morning and afternoon, who could I ask to help me if I got stuck, how to stay close to friends and family. Most importantly, what was my new life going to look like and feel like?
I got lucky - because I was studying for my coaching diploma at the time, I had the opportunity to anticipate and work through my questions and concerns with a coach. This really helped me get prepared for the move and the early days. I then decided to study this some more for my coaching thesis and learnt more about how different people responded to this change. The study resulted in my early workshops and coaching work, and, ultimately to the work I now do at Alive to Change.
To see more about the work I do to support people before, during and after (often a long time after) relocation, check out
Your Relocation Situation
Success Stories
Introduction to Relocation articles
You can see links to all six articles in on the move and other transitions |
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 Coaching Programmes and Workshops
If you'd like to find out more about how coaching could help you transform your experience of change, please contact me for a free exploratory session.
If you'd like to experience group coaching in a fun and inspiring workshop, please contact me on kirstin@alivetochange.com for future events.
I work face to face or over the phone, so distance is no object.
If you'd like a more regular dollop of inspiration and an idea or two, please check out Alive to Change on Facebook - and if you like it, please like it!!
I am running the following workshops in the Spring:
30th April: Returning to work after a (career) break
26th May: Beyond the Juggling Act
28th May: Rediscovering your Identity after Relocation
25th June: Rebuilding your Confidence after Relocation
For more information, please check out the event page on Facebook: Event Page
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The next T&T will come out in June, just as I approach my 45th birthday at the mid-year point. This is always a period of review and reflection for me, I look forward to sharing what the Spring Summer transition says to me, and will focus on another transition - into the holidays!
with my best wishes for the Spring, Kirstin
www.alivetochange.com |
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