Handling Change
Change does not come easily for most people. Whether it be life-altering, sudden or expected, change can be difficult. It ranges from moving to a new country or state, starting a new year at school, or beginning a new job. What remains the same is that change is inevitable and consistent. Yes, we can consistently count on change.
If you’ve found yourself sweating at the mention of change, don’t worry! There are things you can do to make it a bit easier on yourself. Here are a few tips to help you better handle those moments when life alters.
Acknowledge That It’s Hard - While it seems obvious, we oftentimes feel that we have to fight our feelings. It’s as if the standard is that everyone should be comfortable with change in its many forms. This is simply not true. The feelings of fear, anxiety, grief, loss, and even depression may arise from change. These are normal, and don’t need to be pushed down when facing change. Take a deep breath. Acknowledge what you’re feeling and tell yourself it is alright to feel it. Then begin to work through the emotions. They may arise a few times, but remind yourself to inhale then exhale them away. Your feelings don’t need to drive your mindset.
Plan, Plan, Plan - If you’re not a Type A person, this may feel like terrible advice, but planning can help reduce the stress involved with change. Oftentimes, it can reverse the fear altogether and turn it into excitement. Are you moving? Sketch out the floorplan of your new room and start planning where to put your furniture. What colors might you paint the walls? How can you plan ahead to make this new space feel like home? If you’re starting a new job or new year at school, plan ahead! What will you wear that first week? Pick out your outfits now. What sort of things do you need to pack? What food should be prepared for lunches? Planning gives you a bit of control over the situation that is changing and allows you to walk into that change with tools under your belt to better face it.
Use Imaginary Hindsight - Close your eyes. Imagine this thing that’s changing in your life is already done. It’s over. The change has happened and you’re settled into your new norm. What does that look like to you? How do you feel now that it’s over? It’s a bit of reverse thinking. Imagining that new place of comfort can bring peace and relief in the face of what’s to come. It’s possible that even excitement may follow!
Change can be hard. Emotionally and physically. But there are ways to make it a bit easier. Give it a try!
Challenges/Points:
Change is difficult and stressful. Accept it, feel it, then let those feelings fade so they don’t rule you.
Dive into change instead of avoiding it. Plan and prepare so that you feel a bit of control through the unknown.
If you have change approaching now, picture yourself past it. Imagine yourself through the hardest part and into a comfortable new normal, then ask yourself how to best get to what you’re imagining.
Questions:
How have you dealt with change in the past? Did you let the negative emotions take over?
What is one thing you can do to change how you react to change in the future?
What are two positive things that have come from a change you’ve experienced before? Would you record those somewhere to remember for the next time change has you feeling afraid or overwhelmed?
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