Ask Dr. Barb: Embracing change in my new workplace

Dr. Barbara RosenbergDear Readers:

In May, I had to move unexpectedly from my office of 29 years after having received notice that the building had been sold. Even when planned, moving to a new office, like moving to a new home, is definitely is a sressful event. I wanted to write about my experiences in the event they can be helpful to others.

I have now completed Week Six in my new office. Looking around, it seems almost miraculous that most of my belongings moved with me and everything, including myself, is in working order. The movers did a wonderful job, and moving day itself turned out to be the easier part of the process. It was everything leading up to the big day that seemed more mentally challenging.

Deciding where to move was among the challenges. Having been in my Summit office for nearly three decades, I had to adjust to letting go of advantages to which I had grown accustomed, including easy access to free parking, a spacious consulting room and a restroom three steps from my door. I wanted my new office to be in Summit, and most that I looked at did not have those amenities. Not one seemed as nice as the office I was about to leave. Finally, it became obvious to me that I would have to make compromises, as none of the new places had everything I wanted.

As it turned out, my new office actually is walking distance from the old. Psychologically, I believe that moving nearby helped make the overall adjustment somewhat easier.

However, once the decision of where to move was made, I kept thinking of all the changes I’d be facing. I had to remind myself that dwelling on the negatives would be very distracting and would disrupt my focus in preparing for the move. So I tried to replace every negative thought with a positive one.

For example, my old office building had on-site parking, and my new office is in a building near the train station. Instead of getting hung up about the challenge in having to find parking downtown, I reminded myself that the new building has an elevator, and I would no longer have to climb stairs to a second-floor office. Additionally, the longer walk to and from my car would be good exercise. To make parking easier for my patients, I downloaded maps of downtown Summit to show parking areas near my new office.

Letting go of things

Another challenge was deciding what to keep and what to let go. It’s easy to forget how much stuff one accumulates and how much does not get used. Moving excess belongings into a smaller space just didn’t make sense. That meant half my books had to be donated, and files had to be thinned out or discarded. It seemed as if I suddenly had that “two of everything syndrome.” Many things had to go.

Starting this process of elimination, I realized that sorting and deciding can be tiring and time consuming. Breaking up the task with small, spread out chunks of time made the process more manageable. I highly recommend not waiting to the last minute, as this sort of procrastination only adds to the stress.

My new office has a narrower shape that would not comfortably fit all my furniture. With the support of my husband, several layouts were drawn to help decide what furniture to keep. I had to make peace with letting go of a writing desk, no longer as essential as my computer work area.

Leaving my office after so many years also was not an easy task emotionally. From time to time, I experienced feelings of sadness in discarding belongings and packing up. As I sorted through books and files, many memories came to mind.

Even more important than my belongings were the office building colleagues who were also about to move. Besides being friends, we were like family to each other. Although the friendships will continue, I miss seeing them on a regular basis. They always will be remembered as an important part of my professional life.

While that era of working relationships has ended, I look forward to new opportunities and friendships. I feel as though I am beginning to settle into the new space. Other psychologists and professionals in the building have been welcoming; and my old furniture looks beautiful in its new surroundings. Even the parking seems like it will work itself out. Wearing sneakers to and from the car also helps!

Adapting to change may not be easy, but embracing new challenges keeps me feeling young and energetic. Another way I’ve adjusted is to work one day less per week. I love my work, and I do not choose to retire, yet this unexpected change will give me a bit more time to relax. With all these good things in mind, I have embraced this new start and all the opportunities it will offer me.

Barbara L. Rosenberg, Ph.D, is a licensed psychologist whose Summit practice serves individuals of all ages, as well as couples and families. She previously chaired educational and social programs for the Essex-Union County Association of Psychologists. Contact her through BarbaraRosenberg.com.
Embracing