A lot of people struggle with changes that come about in life. Whether it be moving house, changing jobs, starting a family… it’s difficult to adjust. If things are a more positive change (such as a better job), then it takes a lot less time to adapt but if things are more difficult (such as having a lower income or dealing with a mental health disorder), then adjusting to your new lifestyle may be quite challenging.
One of the biggest changes in my life was when anxiety started taking over. Suddenly, things that I had no problem with previously, I was unable to do. I couldn’t go to class, I couldn’t go to friends houses and I was pretty much trapped at home. However, during that time, I found a few things to help me:
Gratitude - The reason that gratitude helps for a variety of things is because it helps you to shift your perspective. Instead of focusing on the bad things, you focus on the good that is currently in your life. Any changes that have come my way, I will be sure to look for reasons that they are good. If I start a new course, I remind myself that I’m grateful for the opportunity and that I can learn a new skill. With anxiety, I remind myself of all the new situations I have tried in order to overcome anxiety and everything that I have achieved. The simplest way to practice gratitude is in the form of a journal where you can write one thing you are grateful for every day.
Bringing a joyful moment - Change is usually difficult because we lose our comfort blanket. We have to learn something new or maybe sacrifice something that brought us joy. Change can be overwhelming especially as we get older. Changing habits is hard work, even if the change is for good. One of the biggest supports when challenging yourself with anxiety is the idea of a reward. When you challenge yourself to face a trigger, you reward yourself afterwards to turn it into a positive memory. The same principle can be used for tackling change. Make time for a joyful moment every day whether it’s meeting up with friends, having a takeout, dancing in the kitchen, etc. Whatever makes you smile!
Talking to people - A problem shared is a problem halved. If we bottle up our thoughts and feelings, they can seem much bigger and unmanageable than they actually are. Speaking to a loved one like a friend or family member can help you process your thoughts and they can even offer advice if that’s what you would like. If you find yourself really struggling to process the change in your life, it may be worth speaking to a mental health professional who can offer you the tools to process your emotions in a healthy way. There are options both online and in-person. Some companies also offer the service through certain schemes.
Goal Setting - Goals help us with motivation. When we set ourselves a goal, we have something to work towards and we feel a sense of accomplishment when we achieve it. When dealing with a change in our life, it can help to set yourself little goals that will enable you to move forward and make the day a little bit easier. Perhaps it can be a goal of cooking a meal or doing the food shop but it can also be something like applying for five jobs (if you’re looking for a new career). Not only does it help with building new habits to adapt to the change in circumstance, but it should also help you feel more positive once you’ve accomplished those goals. Remember, they should always be doable so as to not overwhelm yourself further.
Adapting habits - Our lives are packed with habits; some that we don’t even realise that we have. These habits can be a hindrance when we have to change our lifestyle. Let’s say that you go to Starbucks and get a coffee every morning before work. For whatever reason, you can’t do that now. Instead, you could replace that habit with a new one such as preparing your own drink before work and having it in a similar cup (if you’re avoiding spending money). It could be that instead of a coffee you opt for having a more filling breakfast to keep you going throughout the day.
Changes allow us to grow as people whether they are good changes or more challenging ones. Life would be boring if it was constantly the same and from every experience, we learn. Hopefully, these five tips will offer you support in managing these new changes in your life.