Yak Magazine // 2020
FROM NEGATIVITY TO POSITIVITY Bri Porter and Charlotte Lloyd explore how unwanted change can be empowering.
Charlotte Nobody likes change; unwanted change,
This was my bittersweet change. Moving to
bittersweet change, even change you knew
Uni was something I always wanted to do,
was coming. It doesn’t make it easier, whether
something I had worked towards, and something
it’s expected or not. There are changes which seem negative, draining, and even upsetting,
I was excited for; yet I was seeing it in a negative light. I was trying to paint it in a certain way, to
such as leaving home, the unexpected break-up,
make my familiar life sit on a pedestal. Only
or making new friends. Whatever it is, change is always hard. But, often what we perceive as
after I moved did I realise how damaging this could be. The resistance I had also meant I had
a negative, can create a much needed positive
avoided talking about it. I then had to accept this
transformation.
new reality I was faced with.
The summer before I moved to Newcastle, I
Change for me was expected, though this didn’t
had established great relationships at work,
make it any easier, and it was only after I moved that I realised how important pushing myself
I had just been on the trip of a lifetime, and had just finished high school. My adult life was
was to my progress in life. At times, yes it was
great and the idea of leaving all of this seemed
hard, and to be honest, there were moments when I wanted to slip ever so easily back into the
stupid. Why would I leave something I loved, somewhere I was content? I had my comfort
familiar life I had at home, but without growth,
zone, and I didn’t want to penetrate it. Moving
we stay stuck. Change doesn’t always have to be
away from home, there were so many unknowns
the enemy, in fact, it can be quite empowering.
and uncertainties. Will I make friends? Will I enjoy Uni?
Designed by: Madelyn Gardiner
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