It isn’t a task that can be done impulsively or even when the odds seem favorable
In the previous year, our team embraced a fully remote working model and left our former office space.
The onset of Covid-19 in 2020 signaled a need for change, prompting us to consider leaving our office despite our hesitations and the potential savings. Remote work became our modus operandi, facilitated by platforms like Zoom, and most clients found this approach to be more efficient. Even though the decision seemed straightforward, it took us three years to finally leave our office.
Transition is an art form, not something that should be rushed into or triggered by favorable circumstances alone. It calls for profound contemplation. Hastiness in this process could lead us down a path of unresolved issues that might come back to haunt us. Conversely, moving too slowly might leave us wallowing in what was, letting it overshadow our lives.
Personally, I am a firm believer in quickly discarding whatever no longer benefits us, mentally, emotionally, or physically. Through numerous relocations and country moves, I have learned that change is a major undertaking. It requires courage to uproot, start afresh, and adapt. However, for the sake of our overall health, we should regularly evaluate what needs to be let go, bit by bit, much like routine spring cleaning.
Our decision to transition took three years, largely due to the overwhelming events that transpired when the pandemic first hit. Our capacity was already stretched thin, leaving no room for a major upheaval.
In our industry, financial services, it’s crucial to adhere to certain protocols when leaving an office. We had to ensure this transition was properly done, for our benefit and that of our clients. This meant bearing the cost of occupying a space we no longer used.
In times of rapid change, like during a pandemic, it’s worth maintaining some constants, even if costly. Pushing ourselves to adapt too rapidly can lead to burnout. Despite the chaos, we eventually found our footing during these trying times and knew it was time to part ways with our office.
We proceeded with caution. After gaining agreement from our landlord to terminate our lease, we began following the necessary protocols. Then came the monumental task of sorting through 40 years of accumulated items from a partner who had unfortunately passed just before lockdown. Deciding what to keep, what to discard, and what to donate required thought and consideration.
While challenging, this process offered valuable insights:
- It’s painful to part ways with the past. It makes us realize how attached we can become to things that have served their purpose and are now deemed of no value. It’s a stark reminder of life’s transience.
- There is a mourning period involved in transition. We grieve the loss of our old selves and grapple with what’s next.
- Transition confronts us with our past struggles. It forces us to acknowledge the pain, the fruitless efforts, and the illusion of hardship as necessity.
- Clinging to the past can stunt our growth. Letting go is a means of purging excesses and providing room for fresh opportunities.
- Transition doesn’t alter our identities. We’re simply evolving, much like a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly.
- Releasing the identities we’ve clung to can feel daunting. However, relinquishing these can be liberating, opening us up to new possibilities.
Indeed, transition can be an intimidating prospect. However, approaching it with patience, empathy, and grace can turn it into a transformative journey rather than an internal battle. We have the power to decide when it’s time to let go and start anew, and there’s no need to rush it.
Transition isn’t a race against time, but an act of courage. It requires kindness, thoughtfulness, and the right timing. It’s okay to move at your own pace, as long as you don’t let it be an excuse for stagnation.
Change can be unsettling, but with love, compassion, and grace, we can embrace it. A year after leaving our office and shifting to remote work, we’re starting to feel at home in this new phase.
