Friday, January 28, 2011

Ch-ch-changes

Life is all about changes.  There is, of course, The Change, which we women are very familiar with.  Some changes are out of our control, such as ageing.  Others, we can decide whether we want them or not.  There is a perception that, as we get older, we are more resistant to change.  Look at the expressions in our language- getting set in our ways; stuck in a rut;  same old, same old.  Who hasn't used these to describe an elderly parent, or a partner who won't fit in with our wishes?

We now have consultants in change management, which is an organisational process to help employees change behaviours and systems in a business .  And of course, there are a myriad of self-help books and DVDs produced each year to help us make changes in our personal lives.  There's no doubt that change is happening at a far greater rate today than at any other time in history.

I've always enjoyed change, but I've come to realise that this is because I'm usually the one instigating it.  Like many people, I'm not so keen on change that is imposed on me.  I grumble at the supermarket because, during a year-long upgrade, many items have been shifted to different parts of the store.  I get cross when I've gone into the city and found my way blocked because of buildings being demolished after the earthquake, necessitating detours to get to my destination.  But these are minor things. 

I am about to make two major changes in my life. Firstly, I am going to move to Invercargill, a city around 600 km away, and right at the bottom of the South Island.  Secondly, I'm going to start a university degree in Visual Arts.  Because I live alone, I can make these changes without having to fit in with a partner.  I'm excited about my new life and the challenges it'll hold. 

What about you?  Are you planning any major life changes?  Do you want to, but something is holding you back?  Or are you happy to continue as you are?

2 comments:

  1. What interesting topics you raise for our discussion Shirley. Like you I struggle with imposed change. I often find it difficult to see the purpose of change, "if it ain't broke", sort of mentality and whether the change will lead to improvement (it so often didn't in my ex-profession of teaching). But I'm not afraid of change itself, it can be exciting.

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  2. I too, am embarking on some new changes this year. I like your blog, Shirley and the things you have brought up.

    Change for the sake of it isn't necessarily good, but change that will bring improvement to us is always going to be of benefit to both us, and the people we associate with.

    Generally I have been one who has embraced change, be it change of location, change of job, change of lifestyle. Sometimes though, I have had thrust upon me some life changes which have been difficult to go through. However whenever I have looked back at these times, I am so aware that it is during these torrid times that I have grown as a person.

    So enjoy Invercargill - it's not all bad (really!), and enjoy your life as a student. I am facing being a second-year student here in Dunedin.
    Last year found me facing huge changes in that realm - entering as a mature student, the financial and lifestyle changes that it brought me, plus the new friends, both old and young.

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