Anxiety about future move

Hi coaches,

I have been having some anxiety about a future move related to my job. I love my work and am very driven to progress in my current organisation. I work for an international organisation and if I want to progress I will need to move to a different country. This makes me feel anxious because I don’t want to be further away from my friends and family. I also want my partner to come with me, and though he seems cautiously open to it, I know it would involve a lot of administration on his side and he would have to find a new job, which I feel guilty about. On the other hand, I have moved abroad before and loved the experience, and I imagine there are many things about a future move that I would enjoy. I think the worry comes from the fear of feeling exhausted at having to “start over”, but I do think this could also be exciting. I also think I fear being far from friends as I worry our relationships will become less close, although I think that’s maybe because I am not trusting my ability to maintain connections and also to make new connections with new people (both of which I have evidence that I can do). I don’t want my fear of leaving my social circle and of “starting over” to stop me from being open to the possibility of moving abroad and feeling curious and excited about it. I would be grateful for any advice! Many thanks!

 

 

Answer:

What if it’s ok to feel curious, excited, and also anxious? How does it make total sense that you would have many, many emotions about an out of country move and change in job? Anxiety is the fear of the unknown. Our brain works to fill in the gaps and imagine all the things that could go wrong and therefore=certain death.  Thank your brain for trying to protect you. It’s doing a good job.  AND you don’t have to believe everything you think.

I also would ask, is this an imminent change or just a possibility in the future? How much energy do you want to spend in this moment thinking about it? Why do you think your brain wants to spend so much energy on it right now? Question this thought ” I work for an international organization and if I want to progress I will need to move to another country.”  What if you’re wrong about that? What does progress mean? Where are you making room for the Universe having your back?