Hello and Welcome to Groundhog Day (no really, it's Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, PA) from my Atlantic Life in Hatteras 😊
And....unless you heard it already......"Punxsutawney Phil" has predicted 6 more weeks of winter!!!
Although if you read the "Farmer's Almanac" (which I still buy every year😁, what can I say, John was born and raised on a 300-acre farm in Nebraska, and the almanac can be pretty accurate), it predicts an early and warm spring....so you can choose which you prefer to believe.
As someone who absolutely loves having 4 seasons, I'm happy either way.
I've often wondered if it's due to my "restless" nature that it's important for me to have distinct season changes, as I'm always happy and excited to embrace the next season when it rolls around.
Having a "restless" nature can be both a blessing and a curse....it does mean that I adapt well to change, whether planned or unexpected......and, is what led us to buying and renovating a century-old hotel in Hatteras Village 😉
Changes happen to all of us, all of the time - many may have little to no effect on your everyday life, and you continue along as before, or are pleasant changes that have a positive effect on your life....but unfortunately, that's not always the case. Sometimes there are those changes that we didn't see coming, or changes that we hoped wouldn't happen (maybe pulled the ostrich maneuver - if I don't acknowledge it, it won't happen)..... and when they do happen.....you're knocked sideways.
Career - Promotion, Sidelined, Retirement, Laid off, Toxic work environment, Burn-out, Too much stress, Loss of interest in current job
Relationships - Marriage, Divorce/Separation, Friendships ends, Loss/Bereavement, Children grow up and leave home
I could go on...
Geographical Location, Health, Emotions, Finances....and for each one, there is a whole new subgroup....but I think you get the point - Changes Happen
Being able to take a step back and work out what is the best next move for you, can be excruciatingly difficult, as so often our feelings and emotions take over, and we can't see any path forward. At that point, rationality goes straight out the window!!!
Having gone through many changes.....
2 divorces (third time lucky with JB 🥰)
Multiple house moves (I just counted, since I was born, I've moved house 26 times!!!!)
Lived in 3 countries - Scotland (yes, I do consider Scotland its own country), England and the US
Multiple career promotions and progressions - changed hospitals I worked in x 2, companies I Worked for x 3, academia x 1 ...and one lay off......
Along with bereavement, toxic work environment, burn out, loss of interest in job, being a Mom and kids leaving home...and many others
I can check off quite a few of the changes listed above and then some, which has given me some great insight into the types of changes that can happen (although I know that there are a multitude of others that aren't mentioned above...you could fill pages with them).
As mentioned above, I think my restless nature has helped me to deal with many situations where change affected me, but I also managed to develop a strategy to help deal with change.
Taking the time to learn and understand more about myself has been the biggest gamechanger.....my quirky personality, core values, passions - what inspires and motivates me, but also what discourages and can dishearten me. Being able to comprehend the many facets that affect the way I think about a situation, make clearing the path for more informed decisions so much easier.
Then it was just a case of learning how best to create, implement and execute thoughtful, cogent and realistic plans, that would give me the best chance of success. As someone who has worked in healthcare project management for more years that I care to remember, this part wasn't as difficult as learning about myself 😊
Having spent so much time learning how to deal with change is what gave me the idea for my new retreat "Transitions.....from Crossroads to Adventures - Start Designing A Life You'll Love to Live", where the focus is on not only discovering more about yourself and how to move forward when changes happen, but also how to begin building a blueprint for your future success.
If you're interested in finding out more about this retreat, you can click here:
"Sometimes in the waves of change... We find our true direction" (Unknown)
With regards to "Punxsutawney Phil's" prediction, if that holds, it'll be six more weeks of hot chocolate and cozy nights by the fire for me......and, if not - Roll on Spring!!!!!
Windsurfing.....here I come 😎
Until Next Time...
Take care, Stay Safe and....why not learn to embrace whatever season you are in 💗
Love and Hugs,
Pam
PS. That was just one of the blessings of my restless nature...Soon, I'll tell you more about the curses that come along with being restless😉
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I embrace change and always have. Maybe it is because inam a bit restless like you! I cannot do the same thing day in and day. I move my furniture every now and again because I get bored with it. I change cupboards around too. Infeelmifnthrre is nonchange we can get stagnant. But like you i have the negative stories as well!