"The enigma of arrival" (V. S. Naipaul) refers to that feeling you have when visiting a place where you've never been--even more enigmatic, if you are less-than-fluent with the language. You don't know the codes, the mores, or the secrets.
This concept has applicability In so many domains: travel--for work or for play--to other regions, countries, or continents; transition from school to school, or from school to university; moving; transferring to another division, or transitioning to another company.
How do you navigate the enigma of arrival?
As an individual writing this article, I can identify some of the ways that I handle this dilemma, both before arrival, upon arrival, and after being in the space. All of these ideas, taken as a set, demonstrate my preferred approaches to change management.
To provide a small example, consider this: how you like to vacation?
Repetitive vacations reduce the enigma of arrival. These would include going back to the same vacation house or condo, vacationing on the same island, visiting the same family or friends, etc. Personally, I am in favor of this type of vacation for resting and writing. My sisters and I have worksheets that help us to plan for repetitive vacations. There's a certain amount of peace, anticipation, and joy that comes from these homes-away-from-home.
Experiential vacations increase the enigma of arrival--while offering the excitement (or fear!) of immersion in something entirely different. Naturally this includes visits to other areas or countries with different environments than one's own. But it also can involve a shift in type of living--from an individual home, to a camper; from an apartment to a tent; from a modest home to a high-end resort. Choosing experiential vacations increases my creativity, expanding my mind.
Another type of experiential vacation is the "retreat"--these often have increased enigma of arrival, yet with an intent to encourage meditation or focus on a singular topic.
Staycations are an interesting hybrid--staying in one's own home decreases the enigma of arrival, yet people on staycations often choose experiences to expand this experience, like visiting the so-called "tourist attractions" in one's own area, visiting new restaurants, or partaking in new locations, such as kayaking in an unfamiliar lake.
How do you plan to vacation this year? Did enigma of arrival influence your choice(s)?