First up, an apology. I’ve been utterly rubbish at keeping my blog up to date. Like many other people, I can find myself caught up in the stresses of life, and putting less urgent tasks – such as writing my blog – on the back burner. Maybe that makes me look a little disorganised, or perhaps, a little more human? Either way, I’m back, and ready to start again. In more ways than one.
Out with the old…
You see, the last 12 months have been a time of both endings and new beginnings for me. After almost 28 years in London, I finally decided to opt for a quieter life and move out east to Suffolk. It’s been a bumpy journey. It’s well known moving house is one of the most stressful experiences we can face. A myriad of things can go wrong, right up until moving day, creating feelings of powerlessness, anxiety and uncertainty. As I explained in my blog post self-care tips for turbulent times, the human brain is wired to crave certainty, because without it we have uncertainty – which the dictionary defines as ‘a state of doubt about the future’– causing feelings of confusion, bewilderment, unpredictability and precariousness, to name but a few synonyms.
But it wasn’t just the nuts and bolts of selling my home that was stressful. With selling and moving, inevitably came endings. My work was in London, most of my friends were there too. More importantly, 28 year’s worth of stability and security was there. And now I was going to give all that up to make a new start in a place where I knew practically no-one. It was a very scary feeling.
…And in with the new.
Many of us struggle with endings. Whether it’s the death of a family member or beloved pet, losing a job or a romantic relationship ending, or even those endings we’re choosing, like my moving house, endings often inspire feelings of fear and loss.
But like the Death card in a tarot pack, endings don’t just symbolise loss, they also signify change and new beginnings.
I’m currently building up my new private practice, working both online and in person at The Stephenson Centre in Ipswich. I’m also settling into the unfamiliar routine of life somewhere quieter, and the challenges of trying to make new friends and find new interests.
It’s fair to say I’m out of my comfort zone. But as I know from many years of working with clients, that’s where the magic happens. So if you’re struggling with endings, new beginnings, or feeling you need a bit help to navigate the discomfort you’re feeling, do get in touch.