Has it really been a year already? a year in Valencia? a year on Steemit?... Well that's gone fast!

Seems like only yesterday I was sitting in a hotel room, wondering what I had done in accepting a job overseas following a Skype interview, taking a one-way flight to a new city with only two bags and a single suit - turns out I didn't need the suit, or the shoes... not a fan of those anyway.

I was nervous though, had I really thought about this move? What if I was out of my depth at work? Shit, I don't know a single person in this country!

and then...

Oh cool, they aren't so bad and the office is alright...... Hey this city is pretty cool.....

and now...

I feel happier than I was a year ago.

Big changes, big rewards?

Change is a gamble of sorts, usually involving some early fears, but hopefully containing rewards if the full course is stayed (No guarantees though). A ride through many emotions you might say, and that seems to be the case when you look at The Kubler-Ross Change Curve....

Anyone for a ride on the big dipper?

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A similar image to the two above was first introduced to me during a meeting in a previous job. I think this particular change was a relocation for the IT department to a fancy new building. A project that would take most of a year from start to finish, involving 8 project managers, 6 business analysts, 1 million pounds, and 12000 Starbucks.

Ok, the numbers aren't totally accurate, but i remember thinking at the time, are you kidding me? What's the big deal, just pack your personals up and sit at your new desk and get back to work, no?

No. I failed to regard the thoughts and feelings of 150 IT staff as they individually, and collectively prepared to undertake this change to their working environment - an environment they were committed to living in for at least 8 hours a day.

How far are the toilets and kitchen from my desk?

Can i get a window seat?

Am I sitting next to John? He never stops talking!

It's interesting to note that the company employed a Change Management team and departmental personnel welfare committee not long after this move was completed - yeah, change is not loved by all, at all.

What seems small to one person, is a big deal to another. Why's that then? Does practice make perfect, or at least bring awareness of what partners change on a personal level?

Back to Kubler-Ross and her curve

Did you know she was actually a psychiatrist, specialising in near-death studies? Yep, the change curve is based on her theories of the five stages of grief. So yeah, change is an emotional deal, implying grief will be a part of the process. source

So if 'change is inevitable', grief is inevitable? I guess so.

Perhaps keep 'known' major changes infrequent then, to avoid perpetual grief?

Personally, I think awareness of the change process leads to a greater ability to face the on-coming headwinds, and deal with the emotional pressures that will likely arise. And in this case, I think awareness and understanding comes mostly from experience - ok, lets do this!

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This year's change!

Has already begun, Kubler-Ross curve-wise. I've resigned from my Job and (insert shameless plug) we are leaving the city of Valencia shortly. Clearly the fact that we will soon have no regular income, no future destination, and generally no solid plans as yet, is a reasonable sized change to undertake.

The fact I'm talking about this today means we have passed the 'shock', 'denial', 'insecurity', 'depression' phases. Blogging about change whilst living these phases isn't for me, although I have seen some examples (here) recently and to which I've tried to respond with positive comments.

So for us, I feel we are on to the 'decisions' and 'engagement' phases, leaving many frustrations and fears behind and welcoming a new positive feeling, It's a good place to be, and when the fun in change begins......

'Change is inevitable' Are you coming along for the ride?