Business in Glasgow

BiG were delighted to welcome Ruth Forsythe as our lunchtime speaker looking at the topic of resilience and insecurity. Finding Security Having moved some 22 times and crossed 13 borders many times  Ruth shared with us the importance of security to our well being and the impact of a lot of change on an individual person/ family.

Culture shock is aptly named as a cultural move does cause change to well being. Initially there are high expectations: climate improvement is a bonus until reality hits and it can become a big challenge to do even small things like bake your favourite cake when you  can’t find the  familiar ingredients in the local shop. A person can fall to pit of despair and suddenly quit and head for home. Or at this point of realisation can accept and change behaviour to adapt to new situation & life. The cycle of moving goes through 5 stages: Honeymoon, Disorientation, Shock, Adaption & Adjustment.

Ruth explored what gives us a sense of security? Familiarity: family, language, food, employment, home, language……Until we lose any one of these items we may not realise how important they are to us.
When moving into a new culture ALL  are affected. What helped Ruth feel secure during her 22 moves was a sense of identity: If our sense of identity is not met we feel insecure, not valued. Until grounded in own sense of identity it will always be difficult to navigate change & challenge. A sense of purpose is key to well-being and can often be wrapped up in our work. What can you do if can’t change circumstances. You can change yourself. E.g. purpose – I am going to be a kind person. Adopt a sense of realism: Why me? Well why not? What make’s us immune?

Ruth concluded that if she had been made aware of the impact of moving and cultural change it would have made such a difference. In life we will experience both bad times and good times but with realism & acceptance we will get through change no matter what the circumstances.

Gayle Cattenach