the in-betweens

Transitions are hard. We're neither here, nor there. There's uncertainty as what had been normal is no longer and new routines have yet to establish. Our human desire for familiarity and our societal tendency toward doing make these in-between times especially uncomfortable. Often we'd much rather rush to the next thing.

Seasonal changes are much the same. When summer turns to fall, the mornings are cool and the days are warm. Some days are rainy and dreary and others are sunny and hot. But can you imagine if the weather jumped from summer to winter? Can you imagine if leaves went straight from green to gone? We would miss out on the beauty of the transition, not to mention have a huge shock to our systems!

I've just spent the last two months leaving my job of ten years to embark on a new adventure on the other side of the world. My transition included volunteering with my old job, visiting friends in other cities, dealing with many details related to moving, spending time with old friends and my family, and sorting through my physical belongings.

Here's what I learned from this most recent in-between time:

1/ sleep. Chances are you're more tired than you thought so let your body rest.

2/ manage your time. Find the balance between wide open days and a busy schedule. Pay attention and respond to what your body and mind need.

3/ set goals - daily and overall. I had 5 daily goals: sleep well, physical activity, contemplative/prayer time, quality time with someone and doing something practical related to moving. Also, an ongoing to-do list significantly helped my stress levels.

4/ know your priorities. Finish what must get done, but spend time with people and don't stress out about the non-crucial things that are left hanging.

At times I thought about how fun it would be to continue this way indefinitely. Who wouldn't want to have no responsibilities, the freedom to do whatever and lots of time with loved ones? But I knew that the lack of focus and purpose would get old. If we don't move forward, we get stuck. The next season is unfolding!