Do you ever get an uneasy feeling when anticipating a big, positive change?

Consider it normal, and think through that it has never really been anything more than worry about the unknown.

We all have a fear of the unknown, some to a very minor extent, some to the point of paralysis. And the way I get through it is to think through what will happen if I don’t proceed. In your case you’d miss the job and the opportunity.

So take the time between now and then as a chance to do something you’ve been putting off, Read War and Peace and Anna Karenina, or go hike the Appalachian Trail, or get started on the novel you’ve always wanted to write.

And good luck! Listen to your instincts and your gut, and learn to recognize when it is fear of success that is bugging you.

@zenvelo Now that you’ve mentioned it, it is definitely a fear of the unknown…I just wish it would go away and stop making me so anxious! I’m going to use those two months as a great excuse to raid my Amazon wish list and get all the books I’ve been dying to read! Thank you for the suggestion.

Wow, it does sound like everything is happening so fast, but congratulations on having this big opportunity open to you!

I think I understand the fear. I am pretty scared of change, even when it’s a good change. You might be overthinking this situation, but it’s something I am guilty of all the time. I am pretty nervous about packing up all my belongings and going to France for the better part of a year, even though I have been longing to go back there, and it will be fantastic for my career.

I know people who are older than you and I (I think we’re about the same age) who are still living at home with their parents. But you know there is a time limit to this. Just two months. Maybe it will help your anxiety if you can plan out what you will be doing while you are staying with them. Definitely do some fun reading, and maybe see if you can find some reading related to your profession. Are there any places nearby that you’d be interested in volunteering with? In addition to doing some good and meeting new people, it would give you a regular schedule and an excuse to be out of the house during the day.

@bookish1 Thank you!!

Yup, same thing happened when I had to pack up and move from NYC last summer for my current job (and also the time before that, when I was planning to move to NYC). I was excited as can be, but at the same time nervous beyond belief. Everything turned out great, so you’d think I’d use that as a reminder to self that I have no reason to fear, but of course it never works that way. I suppose I’ll just have to keep reminding myself that worrying will not change the outcome. Heck, they haven’t even offered me the job yet and I’m already overreacting. o_O

This is exactly why I run to Fluther when I can’t think straight: you guys do all of the thinking for me.~ How did I not I think of volunteering? I will be sure to look into it as I’ve been dying to donate my time to a good cause but, sadly, can never find the opportunity due to my insane schedule.

Best of luck to you as well!!!

Yes. I oscillate between excited and nauseous.

Best of luck to you!

@jordym84 : Glad to help. I think we turn to Fluther for very similar reasons, haha. What sort of volunteer job would you like to find?

@cookieman Thank you! :)

@bookish1 I’m not sure…I really enjoyed it when I volunteered at a nursing home and I also like working with little kids (the well-behaved ones, of course~). I’ll have to see what my estranged “hometown” has to offer, I haven’t lived there since I moved away for college.

I get butterflies and worry about living up to expectations and such… I think it’s pretty common. Spend some time preparing for the job, since you already seem to know a lot about it.

Two months is not very long… it’ll feel like an extended vacation. Consider things that might make your life easier – even if it seems as irrelevant as organizing your digital address book or photos. Those are things I’d like to do, but I just don’t have the time.

It sounds like you’ve got a terrific opportunity to head closer to your dreams. Visualize yourself five years from now, chucking at having felt nervous. Good luck!

Can I ask, why do you have to give up your present position two months before the new job starts?

I think trepidation when making a huge change is normal and necessary. Stops us (hopefully) jumping too quickly and making major mistakes. Sometimes we just have to take a leap of faith and see how things go. When I have been in that position, I try to think about the worst case scenario and what I will do to resolve that situation. Contingency planning really. In most cases it might mean things go backwards for a little while but it’s usually not often a life and death situation. You’re young! If you can’t take these ‘leaps’ now, when can you?

@hearkat Thank you! :)

@Bellatrix Even though it’s all within the same company, they’re two separate segments. One is a full-time position (current) and the other one is an on-going, renewable contract (future position) and so, by company rules, there has to be a two-month separation to go from one to the other.

I’ve had some time to think about this and my fear has slowly but surely dissipated, giving way to more and more excitement. Here’s to hoping that I get it!!

Got the job!!!!!!! :)

Excellent. Congratulations!!

@jordym84 – Wooo-hooooo!!!