Shifting to a new city! How it feels?
Embrace is the key word that I have heard for a long time, and I thought I would have known the meaning of it; until last month, when my life decided to restart in Hyderabad. Before telling you about my city experience, I need to let you know I’m a guard kid, I’m a defence kid, have stayed in multiple cities in the last 25 years of my life, and yet shifting to a new city always feels new to me.
This time it was different than before, this time I have left my friends and family behind. It was too heavy on my heart despite knowing that I will have all the freedom in my life ( But do I want it, is the question!)
Following are my thoughts :
/ Moving to a new city feels like a huge change in one’s life. Remember the time when you moved from school to school or school to college, exactly, I’m going through the same feeling right now. As much as we appreciate the good times there, we know we need to get through the bad ones too.
/Something which I have underestimated was my companions who were only a couple of mins away, and presently they are by and large in an alternate city. One could have a lot of new individuals around, yet the sensation of ‘home’ is what we continue to look at with each day passing by. Am I there? Ummm, Not yet.
/ With this feeling of missing close ones, you start questioning the meaning of life. The meta questions in the middle of the night, you clench your fist and feel like running back. At this moment, the other part of you says to you — everything is going to be alright. Focus on what we have today, rather than what we didn’t.
/ Lover of ‘unknown concepts’, moving to a new city will make you feel better. Moving to a new city, it’s all about understanding the integrities of every small thing you visit, watch, see, and hear. Currently, I’m craving Delhi’s momos and I know I won’t be able to have the right taste in the city where I’m currently i.e. Hyderabad. ( I know the food here is great, but you know, if you know)
/ Taking a leap of faith is what we need now. You just don’t take a leap of faith to move your home from one city to another, but also with every day like you wake up in the morning to visit everyone until you dozed off. The feeling of unfamiliarity will make you feel uncomfortable, and with time it’s going to get better. Trust the process.
/ There are two feelings which might make things worse — ‘Fear’ and ‘Stuck’. Do not expect anything to happen at the doorstep of your house. You have to wear your best attire of yours, show up to socialise events, and find people. I understand, that it’s an exhausting process but this is what one needs to do. Let people love you and welcome you in the way they want. Be cautious at the same time. Remember you are your own best friend.
/Cultural shock will happen to you. As we live in the world of diversity, we feel this shock. Let it happen to you. It will make you feel grateful for what you have at home and with your swag, you will start enjoying the different culture. It will open your perspective towards things in a way, you haven’t even imagined.
/You learn with time that no matter what happens, you will be fine. With every new step, your courage bucket increases proportionally. You push yourself in a way that you aren’t even aware of it.
/ World isn’t about people at the top. Talk to folks at the very beginning level in the company, pantry folks, security folks, and every other person. These people will give you so much warmth, that it will start making your day. Every folk is important in the ecosystem.
/ Who says you it’s going to be easy. It’s the toughest thing you will go through in your 20s. Things might fall apart, yet the universe has given you so much strength, that it will give you the strength to rebuild it.
/It’s a terrific thing to say but this might be what you need now. This will allow to you let go of things that might be bothering you at some point in your life or you weren’t just happy. Allow yourself to open your life in ways you might get pleasantly surprised. The world is a beautiful place to be in.
/ Love has its way to return to you. You might feel you aren’t feeling loved or at home, you might feel restless but trust yourself enough. Things will become easier sooner or later. Take a break to explore the city, even if you don’t have anyone around. Learn to love yourself.
/ Explore the nook of the city. You only love someone who you know someone in and out, maybe let’s try this with the city as well. It might bring the best people in your life or maybe the best corner of the city to you. Wear your slippers and move out meri Jaan :). Be a tourist in your city.
This new chapter of life may seem daunting but who knows it could be one of the best gifts you will ever receive in your life. Any change is threatening, just stay in touch with your loved ones and yourself, and trust me you will get through.
“Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.” -John O’Donohue
