I’ve spent the last one and a half months in Christchurch, and I’m starting to get a better feel for everyday life here.

This is my seventh international relocation, and while I’ve done this several times before, moving to a new country never really becomes familiar. Each place has its own rhythm, and there is always a period of adjusting, observing and finding a new routine.

What makes this move different is that it’s the first one I’m managing completely on my own. In the past, I had full corporate support handling the logistics. As part of building TM HR Advisory & Coaching ANZ, building from scratch is a completely different experience, hands-on, but deeply rewarding.

One thing I’ve particularly enjoyed in Christchurch is the convenience of walking and public transport. It gives everyday life a different pace and makes it easy to experience more of the city.

There are also some challenges. Consumer prices are high, and being away from family is something I continue to miss.

At the same time, I’ve really appreciated the friendliness of the people here, the wider skies and the natural environment that surrounds Christchurch. It’s also been tremendously helpful having a close friend and my business partner assist with so many of those small, everyday tasks that seem trivial but make all the difference.

After seven international relocations, I’ve come to appreciate that every move offers a different perspective. Sometimes it is the small changes in everyday life that make you see your own habits and priorities differently.