It’s been said that the only thing constant in life is change. People change, circumstances change, things change. Change can be small, big, subtle or sudden. Sometimes it’s a breeze, other times it’s a painful process. Change may be a choice we make, or it may be imposed on us. A new job, getting married, starting a family, moving house – these are examples of life changes we may experience. Some people view change as a positive challenge, others fret and agonize over the consequences of new situations. Few of us deal with change without feeling unruffled, so here are some tips to help deal with it more effectively.
Don’t rush it
Change involves a transition from one set of circumstances to another. Give yourself time to adjust and settle down.
Expect a reaction
Emotions will be stirred up. Let yourself laugh, cry or feel moody about it. Change often involves a degree of loss, so it’s OK to grieve a little and feel nostalgic.
Don’t take it personally
Change happens. That’s life. It’s got nothing to do with you. Don’t obsess over who’s to blame or why it happened.
Go with the flow
Don’t resist or be too rigid. Be flexible, ride out the storm, and see how things turn out.
Don’t go it alone
Talk to your family and close friends. Share your problems with people you trust. Others may offer a different angle to the situation.
Don’t focus on the negative
If you keep looking at the bad side of things, you might miss the good. The glass is also half full, remember?
Break it up
A large problem will seem less insurmountable when divided into little ones. Work on them one at a time, and give yourself a pat on the back each time you overcome one.
Learn from it
With new experiences, we grow wiser and stronger. Wisdom helps us make better decisions in future.
Balance your life
It’s important to have a personal life to fall back on to help you through tough times. Take time to be with your friends and family.
Know that it will end
No matter how big or difficult, change comes to an end when the new circumstances are in place and become familiar. Normality will return. Keep this in mind.
