Radio Headspace New Beginnings Feel Hard
Mar 23, 2026
A story about arriving in a new city with nothing but suitcases and a mounting sense of overwhelm. Reflections on the empty apartment moment and the pressure of starting over. A Buddhist parable relays the difference between real stress and the extra story we tell ourselves. Notes on pausing, feeling your feet, and choosing curiosity over fear during messy beginnings.
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Arriving In New York With Nothing
- Dora Kamau describes arriving in New York with suitcases and an empty apartment with no bed, feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.
- The concrete scene of trekking from uptown to downtown and standing in an unfurnished space anchors the emotional stress of the move.
Two Arrows Explain Prolonged Stress
- Dora explains the Parable of the Two Arrows: the first arrow is the objective stress, the second arrow is the story we add that prolongs suffering.
- Moving is the real first arrow, while telling herself "this is too hard" became the second arrow that kept stress alive.
Nephew Shows Beginner's Mind On A Couch
- Dora watches her two-year-old nephew jump off a couch repeatedly with joy and no hesitation, demonstrating beginner's mind.
- His curiosity and lack of fear contrasted with her own caution and preconceptions about moving.