Change is a constant in life. Sometimes we’re swamped by negative changes: financial issues pop up, friends move, or loved ones pass away. Sometimes we’re even anxious about positive changes like: marriages, new jobs, or the start of a new year. In the end, there’s nothing you can do to avoid change; it will always challenge you, and regardless of how well you try to prepare yourself in advance, there will always be new changes just over the horizon. One of the healthiest things you can do in life is work to accept change with grace, adapting however possible, and by anticipating future changes with hope.
How Change Affects Our Stages in Life
At any given moment, we fall into one of three traffic-light-colored stages. Maybe you’re “red”, in a state of crisis and need support to work on a major issue. Maybe you’re “yellow”, hanging in there, but you know there’s work to be done in specific areas of your life. Or maybe you’re “green”, in a great place, with room to work on personal growth and improvement. No matter the circumstances, your life will never be in a place where you’re able to stop change from coming. Although bearing with change is tougher when you’re already in a difficult position, it’s important to stay positive and keep moving forward toward achieving your personal goals.
Accepting New Changes
When change comes, try to accept it with grace and positivity. This is true whether the change is negative or positive, but it’s especially important with negative changes. Regardless of the type of change, you should allow yourself the freedom to be emotional in the moment; as long as you don’t let knee-jerk reactions get out of control, it’s okay to be afraid, to grieve, or to get angry. Let yourself feel and process these emotions, and then work on moving forward. Always remember that even though our lives are constantly changing, we have the power to decide how we respond to these changes.
Adapting to Change
When you’ve accepted the change in your life, it’s time to adapt. Reach out for support when you need it, and remember that you’re not alone, even if you feel like the change only impacted you personally. Others in your life will understand what you’re going through, empathize with you and want to support you on your journey. Talk to friends and family, counselors, and support groups, and make a plan to move forward. Don’t forget that you can handle anything! Humans are problem-solvers with an incredible ability to adapt to any situation, so trust yourself to follow through with your plan to adapt.
Change may be a constant in life, but knowing how to accept it and adapt to it is crucial. These skills allow you to look toward the future with hope, put things in a positive perspective and focus on what’s most important in this stage of your life.