| August and September are times of typical transition. Whether you’re wrapping up your summertime fun, the kids are going back to school, or you perhaps are returning to work yourself, change is inevitable. It’s how we respond to it that can help or hurt us. Some life events are expected, enabling us to prepare for them, while others can be unforeseen, which can result in feelings of intense vulnerability. Each adjustment requires us to objectively look at the situation and problem-solve how to get through it. The following are some tips to help your transitions go smoothly and empower you to embrace change rather than react with fear and trepidation.To be resilient through all of life’s transitions, we need to see change as an opportunity. It can be difficult to withstand some of the curve balls thrown our way throughout our lifetime, but with the help of loved ones and a proactive game plan for self-care, combined with an open mind, we can learn to overcome, thrive, and be the very best version of ourselves.
See Change as Good – Switch your mindset from dread to appreciation. Brain science has shown that change stimulates our nervous system and allows us to grow new neural pathways. In other words, our brain is capable of changing and growing, so that we can become even more resilient and successful. This process serves to connect areas of the brain to enable signals to be sent from one region of the nervous system to another. Once you prove to yourself that you can get through difficult things, change makes you smarter, more skilled at adapting, and more empowered to take new risks!
Seek a Support System – Find people who are going through similar experiences. Reach out and connect with friends and family. They will give you that emotional boost and, perhaps, some wisdom as to how they have navigated similar transitions.
Good Grief – Let’s look at when are children get older, going off to college, move away. Even if life is moving ahead and the change is positive, it can still mean the loss of something familiar and comfortable… Allow yourself to be sad, but also how the change has promise for self and other improvement. It’s just a new beginning, not the end.
Can Fear can Be Your Friend? Fight or Flight? – If we get stuck in our feelings of fear, we don’t allow ourselves to see the opportunity in the changes we have to face. Let the fear motivate you to take action. Remember healthy fear can be a good thing like past errors can teach us to avoid making the same mistakes again… Not doing what we know we should be doing realizing there are consequences we don’t want or need to happen which keeps us from experiencing the same negative consequences.
Love Yourself – Self-care/self-love is essential all the time, but especially during times of change. This is the time to prioritize yourself by eating well, getting adequate sleep, and finding time to move your body to release healthy endorphins. Develop a schedule that allows for some relaxation as well as opportunities to connect with others. Isolation and pushing yourself to the limit will only increase your despair.
Maintain a Present Perspective – Stay present-focused. If you find yourself in that catastrophizing thinking mind set, stop it! Take a breath and challenge those self-defeating thoughts. Focus out to see the bigger picture. Find balance and learn how you can accept the change you’re facing; it’s not all bad nor all good. Create realistic expectations for yourself. Change is hard enough without the pressure to be “perfect” through it.
- Seek Help
- Why do it alone?
- Seeking help is paradoxical strength.
- Self-Awareness requires us to know when we cannot do it ourselves and need someone to help us.
Find a specialist whose personality resonates with your own, who feels right, and has the background and experience to help you overcome your obstacles. |
