Change is Inevitable

Summary

The author describes a journey of personal growth and resilience, navigating through multiple international moves, and embracing change during the Covid pandemic.

Abstract

The article titled "Change is Inevitable" recounts the author's experience with significant life changes, including three international moves within three months during the Covid pandemic. The author reflects on the challenges faced, such as adapting to new environments, managing a long-distance relationship, and dealing with the pressures of finding employment and self-identity. Despite the struggles, the author found strength and resilience, learning to embrace the uncertainty and trust in their own abilities. The process of change led to a realization that personal growth comes from learning, failing, trying, and re-balancing life's components. The author emphasizes the importance of making choices that align with one's own path, rather than following what one is 'supposed' to do.

Opinions

The author believes that embracing change can lead to the development of resilience and openness.
They acknowledge the difficulty of the transition period before a change, viewing it as the most challenging part.
The author values the role of writing in processing and understanding their experiences.
They express a strong desire to not give up on their beliefs and the life they envision, despite external pressures.
The author recognizes the importance of balancing career and personal relationships, and the possibility of finding opportunities even during challenging times like a pandemic.
They admit to the temptation of seeking clear-cut solutions during stressful times but appreciate the growth that comes from navigating uncertainty.
The author emphasizes the significance of self-choice and self-management in overcoming life's challenges.
They conclude with a sense of empowerment, having learned to trust their own decisions and the journey they have chosen.

Change is Inevitable

And Here’s How I Managed

3 flights, 3 countries and 3 moves in 3 months.

It’s taking a while for my brain to catch up with my own reality, especially in the new circumstances of Covid. But I feel like I have navigated so much in the past year and months that a new pathway of resilience and openness to change is really starting to grow in me.

I am taking the time to acknowledge my journey so far, and writing has been my friend and light throughout all these times. To help me consolidate, organise my thoughts and unpack the change that is continuously happening. Now, I began to see that all the struggles were worth it. I grew exponentially and with each change and move, it got easier and easier. (But the leap before the change has always been the most challenging)

With my first move, I claimed back my courage and space for myself.

With my second move, I stepped into the unknown and shared an intimate and closed space with my partner, with the 90-day stay limit ticking at the back of my head, learning to cope with fear and anxiety each day.

Within those 90 days, I struggled, I cried, I wanted to give up and go home and choose the easy path. But I knew deep inside me, I had the grit to keep going and chasing the life I want. I didn’t want to give up what I believe was possible. (Though my mind and family often tell me otherwise) That I can make something work for both my career and relationship, that I didn’t have to give up either one of them, that there are opportunities amongst Covid times. That I can simply live my truth.

On top of the stresses of finding a job in these times, managing my relationship, pressures from family, I was trying also trying to find myself and understand who I truly am. I was eager to work in the online space to make the relationship work, but I realised I’m not that kind of person. My inner calling is yearning for work involved with people, education and communities.

My mind was so exhausted of all the changes and stresses that sometimes I just wished someone held my hand and say ‘do this exactly steps XYZ’. But now looking back, there is so much beauty in the process that I failed to realise at that time. This is how we become better. We learn we fail, we try and we keep learning, trying and re-balancing all the moving parts of our lives till we find our optimal.

And not to forget, that we always have a choice. There lies the key to all the challenges and changes in life — we have a choice in what we choose and how we manage ourselves. I had an epiphany today as I looked out of the plane window. I had a double-take moment when I saw people boarding the flight that I was supposed to take. Where would it have led me if I boarded that flight? At every point in your life, double-check that you’re boarding the right plane, for yourself and no one else.

I’m glad I decided to run with it, spread my wings and take-off on my own lane. With this move, I claimed back the belief in myself, my abilities and my self-autonomy that no one can ever take away from me. I learned to trust myself, trust my own decisions and let it guide me to places where I want to be.