Change

Change is good.... right?


Be the change or accept the change? Work with the change? Change is time to grow? Change is uncomfortable? Change is exciting?


I think all of the above.


Sometimes it hurts though if change hasn’t been as good as you thought. But then that’s further change and adaptation yes? Got to work with that, make it work, embrace it and press on with life 💪


Background


I’ve always moved around. My Dad was a soldier, he had a lot of jobs around the UK and Germany.


The longest stint in a school I did was 2 years... tried boarding school for some stability, it didn’t work out unfortunately. It wasn’t for us. For other “pad brats” it’s a great thing. Not for us.


Even beyond school I kept moving... 4 years in Leeds, 1 year in Catterick, 6 years in Colchester and now 1.5 years into Brunei, Asia- a BIG move... with two young kids- one was 6 months.


So I am used to change. I have become very adaptable. I work with what I have. I PRIDE myself on the fact that I am great at adapting to change!


In Colchester I built up my own business. It was amazing! I knew no one when we moved there and left with friends for life. I moved there with a 4 week old, no expectations, no plans... I made it work, for me and for my family. I also did another year studying/training and became a PE teacher; a job that is great for when you have kids and for when you move around with your forces husband. And one which I absolutely love and miss... but will soon be back to it!


Brunei is the other side of the world. I miss friends and family like crazy some days (most days I get on with it and MASSIVELY appreciate the opportunity we have in Brunei) I know I’m not alone with this. Everyone is the same. Even me, who has moved about and adapted to different environments all my life has found it difficult at times...never mind someone who lived in the same village/town all their life..! It’s not like you can jump in the car and pop to see your parents for the weekend or meet up with friends for a day... it’s a 16 hour flight...and a very expensive one at that.


On with some good stuff... apart from being away from home comforts and loved ones, Brunei is fab! You are just a few hours away from exploring South East Asia and other parts of Asia. Flights, accommodation and food is cheap! Amazing for travelling and a tropical climate- hot all year round! The schools over here are outstanding and I feel my family is safe here..a little bubble.


I gave up a lot to come out here...willingly I must add... a lot of people do! This has by far been the biggest change and biggest challenge for adapting I’ve ever had to endure...firstly because of the distance and secondly...


Brunei is so far away from the style of living in the UK. Here’s a few things:

• Brunei is a Muslim country. When out and about it is respectful to cover up shoulders and not wear revealing clothing. Brunei also doesn’t allow serving or consuming of alcohol.

• Cars- I had an amazing car and cared a lot for this car in the uk. Out here I have a car that’s on its way out. The power steering is dodgy, the tyres are all mismatched, paint work is not the best and I have to lock it using a key ... in the door... (old school 🤗😂)....standards definitely lower...! But...

• Petrol prices are a bargain in comparison to the uk...! Works out around 30p per litre.

• You are an hour and a half away from two airports. There is hardly ever traffic on the way to these! In fact it is rare to have traffic out here! Something I found shocking when visiting the UK this summer.

• Roads are straight and long... there’s normally one road in and one road out of everywhere. So no traffic, but a continuous flow of cars. Very difficult if you’re turning out of a street!

• Storms can be crazy. We live in a tropical climate and the thunder sounds like it’s going to rip the house apart.

• There are HUGE ants and tiny ants... no inbetween.

• Dogs roam the streets... as well as cats... oh and monkeys much to the delight of my children. The monkeys also trash grassy areas and bins if they can get into them!

• It’s rare to see them but crocodiles and snakes also roam around...

• Chit chats (tiny lizards) are everywhere... inside and outside. When I first moved here I remember opening my cutlery drawer and getting the fright of my life seeing one just sat happily amongst the spoons...

• You live amongst friends/colleagues/your children’s teachers/your doctors/your nurses and your dentists. It’s a small and close community...

• Coffee mornings and pretty much any event put on is well attended...

• You go outside...to warm up.

• It is too hot to sunbathe!

• Sunsets and sunrises are simply stunning.

• Play areas and the theme park are empty during the daytime. This is great for not queueing but... I can see why they’re empty- the locals go at night time... when it’s cooler!
  

• Sometimes it’s cheaper to eat out/get a take away than cook from scratch!

• You can get your hair and nails done for a fraction of the price in the UK!

• You can employ an “Amah” to help with house chores and childcare. When being away from friends and family this is honestly a lifesaver!

• Your kids become great swimmers. It’s easy to go swimming, it’s nice and warm!

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• You quickly get used to there being no alcohol served in the local restaurants. We’ve never been drinkers with meals but by taking the option away, it’s great! Fresh juices all the way!

Change gives time and space for growth.


That is exactly what has happened for me.


I’ve focused on my personal fitness and development for my work, my online fitness group, website and blog... I am missing teaching. In the UK I had an amazing balance of teaching PE and teaching fitness classes. It worked, it was great. I gave it up. I moved. I adapted. But I will get that back eventually... just got to keep adapting, growing and making the most of this opportunity and focus in on the things I can 💪


Embrace changes, it can open up opportunities that you may never come across in “comfortable” circumstances.


Sometimes we have to just say yes, just go for it, see what happens. I bet if you look back a few years most of you wouldn’t expect to be where you are now. You may have embraced change, taken yourself away from your comfort zone and achieved something you never thought possible.


Don’t stay comfortable too long, you never know what you may achieve otherwise.