Recently, I hosted my first webinar on the emotional struggles of relocation - an important topic that, in my opinion, isn’t discussed enough.When facing a major life transition, whether relocating, getting married, becoming a parent, or switching careers, we often focus on the logistical aspects: researching, learning new skills, and tackling endless to-do lists.
But what about the emotional impact of starting over?
How will I feel in my new job? What parts of my old life will I miss as a parent? Will I need to adjust my behavior to fit a new culture? Did I make the right decision?These questions evoke negative emotions such as anxiety, doubt, guilt, and sadness, creating the emotional challenges of change.
Indeed, navigating change is difficult, but it also presents an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. And one of the most powerful tools to help ease the transition is mindset.
The Power of Mindset
Your mindset, which is how you perceive yourself and the world, significantly impacts how you navigate change. Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck presents two key perspectives:
Fixed Mindset – Believing that your talents , capabilities and character are set in stone. With this mindset, you seek validation and shy away challenges, fearing failure. If you believe your skills and traits are unchangeable, you may resist trying new things, taking risks, or venturing new territories..
Growth Mindset – Viewing abilities as starting points that can be developed with effort and learning. This mindset allows you to see challenges as opportunities, step outside your comfort zone, and continuously evolve—even during difficult transitions.
Most of us have a mix of both mindsets, depending on the situation.
However, when dealing with major life changes, cultivating a growth mindset is crucial to thriving rather than just surviving.
How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset During Transition
1️⃣ See failure as part of learning – Instead of avoiding failure, recognize it as a stepping stone for growth.
2️⃣ Focus on progress, not perfection – Taking risks and trying new things, like learning the local language or, adapting to a new work environment or changing diapers, becomes easier when you shift your focus from getting it right to simply improving.
3️⃣ Adopt the "Not Yet" mindset – Instead of saying, "I don't have friends here," say, "I don't have friends here yet." Instead of "I'm not good at this," say, "I'm not good at this yet." This slight shift makes a big difference.
4️⃣ View challenges as temporary – Remind yourself that difficult moments will pass and are part of the process.
5️⃣ Replace fear with curiosity – Approach the unknown with a sense of adventure. Instead of feeling anxious about unfamiliar experiences, lean into them with excitement and openness.
6️⃣ Engage with your new environment – Get to know your new colleagues, ask for tips from other parents, explore local traditions, ask questions, and get involved. Curiosity leads to new connections and creative solutions to challenges.
Cultivating a growth mindset and a curiosity approach is a combination of changing your internal dialogue + taking action. By shifting how you approach challenges, you create space for resilience, adaptability, and meaningful growth.
Want to start cultivating a growth mindset today?
Try this: Pick one challenge you're currently facing and reframe it as an opportunity for growth. Ask yourself:
What can I learn from this?
How can this experience help me develop new skills or perspectives?
Then, take one small action - whether it's speaking the local language, reaching out to a new colleague, or simply shifting your self-talk from "I can't" to "I can't yet."
Growth starts with a single step.
What's going to be yours?
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