Winnie-The-Pooh by A. A. Milne, illustrated by E. H. Shepherd was one of my first favourite childhood books. I won a paperback copy early in infant school for a hand painting picture. There was a commemorative ex libris inside the front cover detailing the award, my name, date, and class.

I was once described as being like Eeyore. The old gray stuffed donkey character. According to Wikipedia, ‘generally characterised as pessimistic, depressed, and anhedonic.’

I see myself more like Winnie-the-Pooh. ‘Despite being naïve and slow-witted, he is a friendly, thoughtful and sometimes insightful character who is always willing to help his friends and try his best.’ (Wikipedia)

Upon reflection, Pooh represents my usual optimistic self whereas Eeyore is an inner glum voice.

On Tuesday, my manager took me into a small meeting room for a ‘there’s nothing wrong’ discussion. I was momentarily lulled into a false sense of security. After a preamble of ‘change is a good thing’ and information I already knew, I learned of a reorganisation. In line with a company policy of a maximum of ten in a team, a need to build capability, and improve customer service, I was being moved to another team, the week after next.

I don’t operate well face to face when feeling threatened. Becoming a faun; externally, I appease and please, adopting a vulnerable and cautious stance despite inner turmoil. I expressed guarded displeasure then returned to my desk in stunned silence.

In the five and a half years with my current employer, I have worked in the same team, focussed on supporting clients back to state funded health roles after sustaining workplace injuries. During this time, I have experienced two challenging line managers and two wonderful ones. The uncertainty of a new manager, new team dynamics, and colleagues with limited knowledge and experience in supporting health clients felt overwhelming.

In engaging with change, I remind myself of Pooh’s sunny disposition, a source of comfort and inspiration. While uncertainty looms, I’ll lean on his resilience, turning negatives into positives and crafting strategies to adapt. Writing this post is my first small step toward accepting the shift and embracing the unknown. I still have a job, and I will navigate this chapter with optimism and determination. Change may be daunting, but it’s also a powerful catalyst for growth.