How to Live After Finishing Your Seafaring? It is Possible to be Successful on the Shore.

Leave, can't stay

The seafaring is not just a job, it is a way of life. For some it is filled with romance and freedom, for others it is a family tradition, and still others work at sea to reach a new financial level.

However, as in any other field, there comes a moment when you start to think about changing your profession. The reasons may be different: the desire to spend more time with your family, the need to take care of health or simply the desire for something new. But how can you cope with emerging fears if your whole life before was connected with the sea?

The first and perhaps most significant fear is self-doubt.Everything is clear on the voyage. Your responsibilities are clear, your skills are honed by time and experience, and there is respect from your colleagues.  Going ashore can cause a feeling of loss of identity and fear of the unknown. There is no structure, no responsibilities, I am a beginner, I need to start everything from nothing and discipline myself.

These questions can become a major stress factor

Think about it: perhaps you have a belief about yourself that is preventing you from changing your life. For example, it will be difficult for me on the shore because I cannot live without set rules, I am not organized or my concentration is poor. If you notice this belief, then you can work with it.

Another fear is having to adapt to a new environment. Life on the shore is different from life at sea. There is no set schedule and the work may be less structured. This can cause feelings of disorientation and even anxiety. In addition, you may face problems of social adaptation. Often, those who go to sea prefer to communicate with their colleagues, thereby creating a kind of “social bubble” around themselves, separating them from the rest of the world and other social contacts. In other words seafarers have a limited social circle, which mainly includes the seafarers.In life on the shore, you will have to go beyond the usual boundaries, find a common language with new people, expand your social circle, be flexible, and this can be rather difficult.

To cope with fears, it is important to imagine your life outside the sea.What could you do? How to implement this? Where to start? It would be perfect to develop a transition strategy.

Start by reviewing your professional skills and experience. Many of these may be applicable to other onshore applications. For example, leadership skills, teamwork and stress tolerance are valuable qualities that are in demand in various professions.

Don't be afraid to invest in your education.The time when “one profession for the life” has passed. Courses and training can help you learn new skills and increase your competitiveness in the labor market.

Connect with people working in your field of interest. This can be useful for more than just your job search. You will be able to receive advice and support from those who have already gone through this process.

Don't underestimate the importance of emotional support.The transition from sea life to shore life can be mentally challenging. Consider talking to a psychologist or like-minded people - former seafarers or those who, like you, are in the process of changing the profession. This way you can share your experiences and get advice from people who have faced similar difficulties.

Gradual transition.If it is possible, try to start with part-time or temporary work ashore before leaving the maritime profession entirely. This will help you to adapt to the new environment and understand what is right for you.

Set yourself a realistic goal. Determine what you want to achieve in your new career and set specific, measurable and achievable goals.

Think about the simple and small actions you could take in the near future: next week, next month?

Changing a profession is a serious step that requires courage and determination. Sometimes it’s difficult to understand yourself: what do I want, how to realize it, maybe I’m wrong and will regret it? One old professor from my university asked the question in such cases: “Think about the life you live now. Then answer the question, would you like to live like this in 10, 15, 20 years?If your answer is «yes», then keep it up.  If it is «no», then think about what is important to change now so that the future suits you?”

Don't be afraid to break new ground and explore new possibilities that can lead to a more satisfying and balanced life.

Author of the article: psychologist Natalia Telipko

https://www.instagram.com/natalia_telipko

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