Change is hard. It is not something everyone deals with well.
We discovered this when we spoke to 4 young people who had to relocate to new homes (AWB-2417 dated Friday, April 26, 2024}. They had to leave their ageing flats in Henderson and move to new homes. It was a change they were not looking forward to.
But such change is not only often necessary, but it is also a good way to shake things up and create a better life situation. To help spin what was to some a negative experience into something positive, we took it upon ourselves to engage people on this very issue of “moving house.”
During a recent food distribution exercise, we put up charts to ascertain what people felt about their having to relocate. We hoped this would encourage people to strike up conversations and in so doing, realise that this could well be a good thing for them – a fresh start.
One chart posed this statement:
Before I leave, I would like to:
- Get to know my current neighbours better
- Have more opportunities to hang out with my neighbours
- Organise a floor or a block party
- Have small group discussions about the relocation
Interestingly, there wasn’t a single vote for option D, but lots for the rest. One mother explained, “I am already stressed so I voted for options that could help me relax, I need a distraction.” It was also clear, they wanted connections with the community.
On another chart, we asked if they were excited or looking forward to:
- Meeting new neighbours
- Decorating their new home
- Exploring their new neighbourhood
- Looking at new/different scenery
This time the votes were evenly distributed.
We also spoke directly to 2O families at various stages of life. 40% expressed sadness about moving, highlighting practical concerns. They also indicated that they would need some help adjusting.
And while these feelings and concerns are real, it seems that when the possibility of exciting new times is presented, people do lean into it. Couched this way – that relocating was a new beginning for them – they were more open and enthusiastic about saying goodbye to their old neighbourhoods and starting afresh somewhere new.
It’s all about perspective, the way in which we choose to view the world and our daily situations.
That’s what Beyond tries to do at every turn. It is one of the cornerstones of our philosophy. We, as an organization, always strive to see possibilities rather than problems. And we encourage our residents and stakeholders to do the same.
Problem-solving keeps us focused on the deficiencies and the gaps – basically what is NOT working. Possibilities, on the other hand, can create a present (and future) untethered from the baggage of the past.
This shift in perspective, when we successfully share it with others in our community, can make all the difference in outcomes.
So, while we continue to offer practical assistance to these residents, it is also important that we see ourselves as cheerleaders intent on “infecting” residents with a positive attitude towards change, no matter what. It is an attitude that gives us the best shot at creating a better future.
“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” ― Joseph Campbell