Transition
I used to think people who transition easily possess some superpower. I thought they were lucky because I never find it easy; it takes days, weeks, months — sometimes a year to finally settle in and catch the vibe.
Before we go deep.
What is transition?
From dictionary: Transition is act of passing from one one state or place to the next.
Put another way: Transition is a change from one place or state or subject or stage to another.
In my current situation — it’s a change from one place to another which most times leads to growth.
At first, I’m like a baby trying to take their first step. The first step is always challenging, coupled with countless falls. But when the baby finds his feet — he starts running. It becomes hard to walk. At every given opportunity, he runs; gleefully.
My first transition phase comes with daunting tasks; my head is filled with thousands of questions.
Questions like:
- Why am I here?
- Must I be here?
- When am I leaving?
The more I inquire — the more I keep sulking over the situation I can’t change.
While I’m there pouting because I’m finding it difficult to adapt — someone in the same position is running gleefully like the baby who finally found his feet.
Now that I think of it — they don’t possess any superpower; they live in the moment.
I take pleasure in understanding everything that surrounds me ( tangible and intangible ); the process of understanding makes the transition challenging for me. Currently, I’m thousands of kilometres away from family, friends, office; because I need to. I’m in an environment where I lack basic needs ( trust me, this is tougher ).
Sincerely my first week here was full of anguish and regrets — but to what end?
While I’m complaining, my colleagues have already hit the ground running —
In my usual fashion, I started researching and reading whatever could help me understand the new environment. I typed questions on “Quora” and found a soothing piece.
The writer said, “When faced with situations you can’t change, rather than asking why — ask how.”
“Why” often leads to depression while “How” brings the best in every situation.
This piece changed my perspective. Rather than why am I here, I asked myself, “how do I make the best of my new environment”.
The last few days have been asking myself “how” — the answers are making the transition a bit easier for me.
- No water — How do I source for it?
- No electricity — How do I source for it?
- No good food — How do I prepare my own food
- I don’t understand their language — How do I learn?
- I’m alone — How do I make new friends ?( although I’m poor at this)
Why led to anguish while how presents me with thousands of solutions — Solutions!!!
Atta boy!
I’m about to run — catch me if you can!!! So my dear — do you always find transition challenges?
