Navigating Life Changes: A Journey of Suitcase Packing and Decision-Making

Embarking on a new chapter in life feels like flipping the pages of a book, each moment ripe with decisions that shape our journey. As I stand just days away from turning pages towards the next chapter in my life-book, I am keenly aware of two big decision-making questions that face anyone on a change journey:

What shall I take with me? What shall I leave behind?

In the practical whirlwind of packing and repacking my suitcases, constrained by space and weight limits (because, let's face it, constraints are a constant in life), I find myself at the crossroads of two crucial decision blocks.

The first one is: “What served me well and I want to take with me?”

Okay, my office desk and even my husband, unfortunately, won't fit into my allocated three suitcases, but the more profound question persists:

“Why do I want to take this along?”

Is it out of fear of the unknown? Out of a desire for safety?
How much of my choice is based on objective information?
How much of what I know now about what I am stepping into is likely to change significantly rather quickly? (I’m thinking here not only of the change of season.)

How much do I need (or want) to ignore the emotional side of my decision making?

Am I seeing myself as a feeling being who thinks, or as a thinking being who has feelings?
(And off I could go into a reflection of “Who am I?” – but I did cut that one short. For now, anyway.)

The second block of decisions revolves around: “What do I want to leave behind?”

“What is it about that that I want to leave it behind?”

Is leaving behind a want-to or more a need-to decision?
What triggered it?
Do I gently leave it behind for later, or do I fling it away from me for ever?

What really is behind my decision?
Am I being realistic, motivating, encouraging? Or do I display foolish enthusiasm (e.g. when leaving all my plus-size summer clothing behind because I plan to finally lose those pesky kilos)?

Whether grappling with suitcase-packing dilemmas or navigating shifts in mindset and situations, the questions at the core remain surprisingly similar.

I've come to realize that taking the time to confront these questions, neither avoiding nor skimming over them, is an integral part of the journey – yours as well as mine.

Why share this journey in a virtual forum?

The sense of accountability, the encouragement to reflect, and the supportive feeling derived from your interest create a symbiotic relationship that somehow does enhance the experience.

Thank you for being a part of this adventure with me.  😊