Navigating life through changes
Whether positive or negative, change can be scary. Even the bravest, experience moments of doubt when it comes to change. Humans are creatures of habit and for us to begin to accept change and even flourish in it, it takes mindful effort.
I’m sure you would agree that the past few years have been unlike any others. In 2022, flipping through social media or your local news about what’s going on in Sydney, Australia or even the world, can stir up feelings of unease and uncertainty. Change can come in major life disruptions or in smaller and seemingly less significant ways, like a new work role. Any change can bring stress and can have negative effects on your physical and mental wellbeing such as anxiety, changes in appetite, irritability, muscle pain, stomach upset, sleep disturbance and feelings of sadness. However, not all change is bad and having strategies to cope can help you navigate this.
Here are some helpful tips:
1. Resist feelings of resisting
Fight or flight is real and can often pose a problem when it comes to life change. It’s completely normal to feel a range of emotions when going through transitions. Giving ourselves permission to be hopeful, excited, uncomfortable, scared or to grieve what we may have lost, is an essential first step in learning how to navigate change. As we learn it’s okay to not have to feel particular ways about change and we take the pressures away, we can start to nurture acceptance and embrace change.
2. Manage your expectations
Expectations can really hurt progress of learning to live with new life and routine changes. Humans naturally want to adapt very quickly despite our underlying and often unrecognized emotions pleading for time and patience. Be mindful of comparing yourself to others and whether you are expecting too much too soon. Therapy can be a great way to learn how to manage expectations while at the same time learning that true growth is cultivated slowly.
3. Don’t underestimate the power of routine.
When life hands us change, leaning on our routines can give us the comfort and stability we need to be able to handle it. If you have been faced with a sudden change or know a big life change is on its way, reinforce the routines and rituals that you know you will have the easiest time doing every day. This can help us keep balanced.
4. Look at how far you’ve come.
Celebrating what our own personal resilience is something we all could do more of. Even if it wasn’t positive in the moment, whether we left our comfort zone or are in the midst of a life change, looking at what we’ve already overcome and how, is something that can bring us to a more positive mindset and help us learn and carry the skills to the next change. You are more resilient than you know!
5. Savour connections and self-care
An authentic connection to yourself and others is the foundation to help support change and adjust to a new normal. Practices like daily exercise, meditation and yoga as well as sharing positive experiences with friends and family all help boost wellbeing especially during trialling times and times you may feel like you want to be alone.
6. Seek professional support
Allow yourself to express what you are going through and find healthy ways to navigate it. If you are experiencing, anxiety, stress or are overwhelmed with life changes, RenewMe Therapy is here to help.
“When the world comes crashing at your feet, it’s okay to let others help pick up the pieces” — Rupi Kaur
Author: Kate Zughbi, Principal Therapist
RenewMe Therapy