How to Move to a New City
A recent article in Relevant Magazine inspired me to write my own rules for moving to a new place. Here's what I came up with...
1. Realize it's OK to miss how things used to be.
When you move you leave behind a whole life. This is includes your friends, church, work, home and environment. Moving demands leaving these behind, or at least, at a distance. Thing's aren't going to be how they always were and it's OK to grieve that. Remember how it was in "the good old days," realizing there are plenty of good times to come. Be thankful for what has been and open to what will be.
2. Be outgoing.
Explore, taste, do, engage, be made uncomfortable. It's the only way to introduce yourself to a new city. Making new friends requires getting out of your comfort zone. See what the city has to offer. Sometimes the natives don't even know what is unique and beautiful about their own hometown. Show them.
Whatever happened before is over. This is a new phase; a fresh start. You are a new creation, with all new possibilities. Give yourself some grace and move on. Don't bring regrets with you. It's never too late to start again. Let this be the place and the time.
4. Give yourself time.
"Rome wasn't built in a day." All thing's worth doing take time. Lifelong friends don't materialize overnight. Work doesn't become second nature after only a few weeks. And finding a church family can take years. The important thing is not to get disappointed in the beginning. Hold on, it will all work out. And until that happens you may need to make it your mantra.
"Be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you." - 1 Peter 5:7
5. Rely on God.
Have faith, God is near. Sometimes it's when things aren't going well, that we can set down the false story we tell about ourselves and depend on a strength that is not our own. Honesty before God leaves us open to his comfort. Remember God goes before you to prepare the way, behind you to encourage you, above you to watch over you and beneath you to lift you up. And then — like a good friend— when things come together, he rejoices with you.
"Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track." - Proverbs 3: 5-6
1. Realize it's OK to miss how things used to be.
When you move you leave behind a whole life. This is includes your friends, church, work, home and environment. Moving demands leaving these behind, or at least, at a distance. Thing's aren't going to be how they always were and it's OK to grieve that. Remember how it was in "the good old days," realizing there are plenty of good times to come. Be thankful for what has been and open to what will be.
2. Be outgoing.Explore, taste, do, engage, be made uncomfortable. It's the only way to introduce yourself to a new city. Making new friends requires getting out of your comfort zone. See what the city has to offer. Sometimes the natives don't even know what is unique and beautiful about their own hometown. Show them.
3. Start fresh.
Whatever happened before is over. This is a new phase; a fresh start. You are a new creation, with all new possibilities. Give yourself some grace and move on. Don't bring regrets with you. It's never too late to start again. Let this be the place and the time. 
4. Give yourself time."Rome wasn't built in a day." All thing's worth doing take time. Lifelong friends don't materialize overnight. Work doesn't become second nature after only a few weeks. And finding a church family can take years. The important thing is not to get disappointed in the beginning. Hold on, it will all work out. And until that happens you may need to make it your mantra.
"Be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you." - 1 Peter 5:7
5. Rely on God.
Have faith, God is near. Sometimes it's when things aren't going well, that we can set down the false story we tell about ourselves and depend on a strength that is not our own. Honesty before God leaves us open to his comfort. Remember God goes before you to prepare the way, behind you to encourage you, above you to watch over you and beneath you to lift you up. And then — like a good friend— when things come together, he rejoices with you.
"Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track." - Proverbs 3: 5-6
Mmm, very good. <3
ReplyDelete