Moving In A New Direction: How To Acclimate To Your New Environment:

Save to notebook Email article Print article More articles

By Mia Bolaris-Forget

Most of us can remember how difficult it was adjusting to a new school or neighborhood when we were kids and all we had to worry about was making friends. In fact, school offered us a friend rich environment to work from. So, you can probably imagine how much more of a challenge adjusting may be now. Well, according to experts, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, experts agree that people who seem to make friends quickly and easily are just more skilled at applying these few simple tactics.

1. ake A Professional Effort: Join a professional organization or your peer and polish up on some new skills and exchange some ideas. Attend regular meeting and network. If you don’t know where to go as colleagues or go on line or look in the good’ ole yellow pages.

2. Take A Leap Of Faith: Consider getting involved with a local church, synagogue or other spiritual group. Explore different places of worship, attend different functions or ask neighbors about their affiliations.

3. Nurture Your Creative Side: Unleash hidden talents and passions and venture to express yourself through your creative ability. Consider writing, drawing, painting, photography, etc. Join a group with similar interests or take a class in the arenas that interest you. Libraries and bookstores are excellent venues for artistic outlets. Use your new environment as artistic inspiration.

4. Be A Good Sport: Fit into your new community by getting physically fit and having a good time to boot. Consider joining a gym or the local YMCA. Seek out park activities or just take the time to walk, bike, jog around the new neighborhood and get familiar with your new surroundings.

5. Rediscover Yourself: Rekindle and old passion or uncover a new one by exploring new hobbies that keep you involved and occupied. Look up local hobby stores and pay them a visit, read up on some of your interests, and use the time to unleash some of your hidden talents and interests.

6. Go Back To School: Remember, when you stop learning, you stop growing and living. Take the opportunity to go back to school and study that one or two or three things you’ve always been interested in but never had the time, etc., etc., etc., to pursue. Many local colleges and universities offer continuing education classed, adult ed classes and many other fun and challenging programs that wont’ infringe too much on your time and responsibilities.

7. Community Service: Do something beneficial for you and your community (and while you’re at it, set an excellent example for your family). Find something you are interested in or feel strongly about and volunteer your time; it’s the best gift you can give yourself and others. From horticulture to charities, social work to performing arts, you can embrace your passions while also helping, inspiring and bringing joy to others. What a great way to fulfill more than just your life.

8. Get A Taste For The Local Flavor: Visit a library, log onto the net, visit local museums, and research your new area. Learn about the history of the region and its local culture.