Moving somewhere new is never easy even if you know how necessary this transition is. You will be in a new place surrounded by new people whether it is a new job, new city, country, or new people. This can bring about anxiety or feeling withdrawn from everyone feeling you will not gain acceptance. It is important to be open to change and to accept new people in your life in order to make a smooth transition.
Do research on this new environment before you move. If it is a new job, study the website and learn about the history of the company as well as those in power so they do not feel like strangers when you meet them. If you are moving to a new city, research everything you can about the area like places to go for fun or the best restaurants in the area. Make sure to be polite to everyone you meet as you want to make a good first impression. If you do not smile or do not socialize, people will think you do not care enough to interact with anyone.
Be approachable and just start off by saying hi to new people. If you want a conversation starter, you can let them know that you are new to the area and if they know any good restaurants. Maybe they will invite you to lunch. If you are sitting at a table with people and you do not want to outwardly start talking about yourself, listen to what they have to say and see if you can jump in and clue it in to what your life was like before this transition.
You can also go out and explore your new surroundings as you might be surprised by what you find. It will help you know your way around so that you do not keep feeling like an outsider. If you see an interesting grocery store, park, library, or restaurant, do not be afraid to give it a try. Find something familiar from your old life that you can bring to this new life like if you went to the beach a lot back home, find a beach in your area. Make sure that you are still taking care of yourself such as eating right, exercising, and getting a good night’s sleep so that you are ready to go for a brand new day.
Located in downtown Midland, The Springboard Center’s mission is to offer programs and services to treat alcohol and drug addiction treatment using an evidence based curriculum, 12 step programs, diet, nutrition, exercise, emotional, mental and spiritual development for a long recovery. For more information, please call us at 432-620-0255 as we are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
