Life is a series of changes after changes. Some are more subtle and emerge over time, while others are more noticeable and abrupt, but consistent change is guaranteed to be the only constant in our lives. Nevertheless, adjusting to changes in our lives never stops being challenging and requires constantly making use of mental tools in order to be able to cope. Whether we consider the change to be largely positive or largely negative, it can still be difficult to adjust simply because a large part of dealing with change is grieving what is no longer. Even if the change that we are making or that has come upon us is mainly positive, we as people tend to be scared of the unknown. We should never make ourselves feel guilty for fearing change, as it is entirely natural, but we should never let our fear hold us back from embracing and being grateful for all the different seasons in our lives.
It may seem simple, but sometimes it is hard enough to even recognize and acknowledge the change that is happening in our lives. Sometimes we use denial to postpone grieving the past and avoid making the steps to accept the new. We need to take the time to step back and acknowledge what is happening in order to be able to move on. We should give thanks for the past situation and whatever it has taught us and also give thanks to the new situation that is being presented to us and all the opportunities and lessons that are bound to come with it. Acknowledging our fear is important, but gratitude can help mitigate its affects and will prevent us from feeling paralyzed in the face of the unknown.
Adjusting to change also requires us to take care of ourselves as much as possible in mind, body, and spirit in order to not lose our ground or our stability in the midst of change. Taking care of our bodies looks different for everyone, but generally we should seek to treat our bodies with kindness, feed ourselves well, and stay active. We should never underestimate the potential of a simple brisk walk, or a nice meal shared with loved ones to boost our energy levels and our morale and stabilize our emotions. We should also never be afraid to seek help from either professionals or trusted loved ones. People were never meant to go through life’s difficult moments alone and we need each other’s support to adjust to changes. Nevertheless, our spirit also requires us to find a balance between finding strength in our community and finding strength within ourselves. In the midst of changes, it is always important to continue doing things you love to feed your spirit and help you through whatever transition phase you are going through.
In times of transition, sometimes it can feel like the course of our lives has slipped out of the control of our own hands. However, this is not completely the case. Even when certain situations are out of our control, we can work to control our own reactions and emotions and in this way we will learn to take care of ourselves in all seasons.
