Hey, get out of my space!

Are you stuck? You know, stuck in the sense of being somewhere, doing something, with someone you shouldn't be? Maybe you don't even know that you're stuck. Sometimes our actions pinpoint the need to find a new "space" for us to be in and all we need is a glimmer or in other cases a jolt to do so. 

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The place where I work has a parking deck. Luckily, all workers have access to free parking because the company is situated in a company owned complex. For those of you who have ever worked somewhere that parking is blocks or a train ride away, this perk is not only convenient, it saves a bunch of money every month. Because it's on private property, there are no other companies, which means that there are no more workers to fight over parking spaces with. That makes the arrangement even better!

I'm pretty good at being on time, so like many others who practice good time management, I get to work around the same time every day. One morning I noticed this awesome parking space tucked discreetly in a corner directly across from the main walkway to the employee entrance. My first thought was, Sweet! I pull in and officially I dubbed the spot to be my own. Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months of me parking in the same spot. Occasionally someone would sneak in my spot. The next day, the norm commenced, I returned to my parking space and all was forgiven. One day I arrived at my usual time and my parking space was gone! Day after day my space was taken.  I found myself saying "What the he…, that's my parking space!" After a few days, I conceded to the fact that my parking space had a new owner and that it was time for me to move on.

I use this parking deck scenario to show how easy it is for someone to make a connection with a person, place or thing. Those connections often leave an imprint on our lives, impacting how we think, act or react to our environment.  Knowing that I was able to find that same parking space every morning (albeit a seemingly silly first world problem) added a comfort to my day. Whether I had a wonderful day or a co-worker pissed me off, knowing that I could get in and out of my car quickly set my mind at ease, at least for that aspect of my day. 

Think about a time where you found yourself enmeshed in a relationship, a job, or thought process. The path of least resistance makes it easy for us to become complacent and reliant. The moment that change or resistance is introduced; we are left with making decisions even when we don't feel that we should have to.  I was able to recover from this rather quickly, I mean come on, it's just a parking space, right? In some other, more important situations, adapting is easier said than done. 

Change is inevitable and can come without warning whether you are prepared for it or not. Are you putting too much stock in that job or business venture with little to no return? Have you grown past your partner in a relationship? Is there a thought process that you have that is holding you back from making progress in your life? In that case, you are trying to force yourself in a proverbial "parking space" where you can't fit. First, take the time to step back and re-evaluate the situations that you are "stuck" in. Second, identify and acknowledge your role and what needs to change to take a new course of action. Third, commit to the new course and stick to it. Last but not least, give yourself credit for doing what it takes to move forward. Change is typically not instant. Try to look at change like taking a jog rather than a sprint. 

I found a different parking space, as a matter of fact I seldom park in the same space now. I regularly find plenty of spaces where I can still park conveniently and it has no true bearing on the outcome of my day. You might surprise yourself when you realize that any "parking space" that you choose  will always be the best one for you.