New beginnings make me anxious

A vibrant tree with golden autumn leaves stands prominently in an urban setting, its branches creating a striking contrast against the overcast sky. The backdrop of historic buildings and parked cars enhances the seasonal charm.

I heard someone say recently that September is the month of new beginnings mainly because the summer is over, yes I know you don’t want to hear that but it is and this creates a lot of mixed feelings for both adults and children.

I can still remember some of my new beginnings such as my first day starting primary school., how anxious and nervous I felt. Since I was a young child I have always looked out for those who were like me and would reach out to other children who looked just as nervous or anxious as I was feeling. I recently connected with a friend who we both travelled through primary, secondary and university together and she told me stuff that I could not recall but knew instinctively that would have been how I would have reacted.

It was the same when I started secondary school, we were allocated our classes according to year and month of birth and I ended up in a class without any of the friends who I had known from my primary school. The first few months were definitely anxious times as I tried to adjust and make new friends. If others are already in cliques from their primary school it made it harder to be accepted into their circle so I was forced to meet with my friends from the other classes during breaks and lunch time until I could make new friends in the class I was.

Sixth form was a lot better as I was continuing in the school where I was so I knew most of the other sixth formers except for the ones who were coming from external. For the first time I was in a new beginning but without the anxiety and nervousness. I did not have to deal with new surroundings because everywhere was familiar to me whilst when I started at my primary and secondary school it was unfamiliar surroundings.

When I started university it was back again to being anxious and nervous. New beginnings make me anxious. Unfamiliar surroundings where I was also expected to stay not just for lectures but also to sleep and eat and study. It was alright in school; I did not have to stay overnight, I always wondered how some of my classmates who were boarders felt because my secondary school took in pupils as boarders whilst most of us were day students. I have a lot of sympathy as well as admiration for anyone who went to a boarding school as I always felt it was easier for us who only had to be away from home for a few hours during the day than for those who had to be away from home for a whole term in unfamiliar surroundings.

It does not get easier as an adult. New beginnings make me anxious continues when you start your first job, again the unfamiliar surroundings and meeting new people who you don’t know can be daunting and as an adult you have to push through as this is what you had been preparing for since we were children.

Similar to educational environments the workplace can have bullies, people who like you and don’t like you but you have to push through. In every one of these situations, I have been fortunate to meet likeminded people who I could hang out with and this has made a lot of difference.

This edition comes to tell you that you are not alone if you are starting something new and you are feeling anxious or nervous, it will get better. It is part and parcel of starting something new.  As an adult I think it is good to have a bit of anxiety or nervousness or a person becomes arrogant and self-conceited.  A bit of anxiety keeps a person humble and grounded.

I would like to hear from you.

What new beginnings made you anxious?