Last week, I found myself reminiscing back on my “first day of school” experiences.
The start of a new school year always left me with mixed emotions. A part of me was excited because it represented the start of something new and challenging. But it also meant the ending of summer.
The contrast between these two realities – the ending of one thing and the beginning of another – reminds me of how hard it can sometimes be to deal with change and transitions.
Coping with Change and Transitions
Here are a few cognitive and behavioural strategies for dealing with changes and transitions in your life:
1. Accept that change is inevitable.
It’s impossible to go through life without change. You, me, and the world are changing all the time. Accepting that change is a normal part of life can help you to cope with it better.
2. Change is an opportunity to reset.
With change and transition comes a chance to start fresh. Whether you’re a student in a new school or an employee dealing with new management, a change in your environment provides you with an opportunity to reset.
3. Change is an opportunity to prove yourself.
Many people falter and crumble under any change. View it as an opportunity to prove yourself when things change that are outside of your control. Use the change in your environment as an opportunity to prove to yourself and others that you can handle anything thrown your way.
4. Take it one day at a time.
Change can be daunting and overwhelming in the present moment. So, don’t imagine what it might be like in a few years. It’s easier to adapt to change when you take it one day at a time.
5. Seek out people who’ve been through a similar experience.
You don’t have to go through change on your own. You probably know at least one person who has dealt with similar changes as the one you’re going through. Reach out to these people and ask them to reflect on their lessons. Their experiences can help you to cope with yours.
Summary
Change has the potential to be a positive experience. For example, it allows people to grow by forcing them to recognize their resiliency. But, at the same time, change can also be stressful because it elicits emotions of fear and worry.
How much stress, fear, or worry you feel as a result of change depends on how you perceive and interpret what’s happening to you. In other words, how you view a particular change influences how you feel and respond to it.
Dr. Wayne Dwyer once said, “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
I hope some of these tips help you to look at the changes in your life in a more balanced way.
Richard
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