Adjusting to Change
One thing that is inevitable in life is that we will face change. Whether its going away to college, moving to a new state, ending a relationship, or getting a new job, you must learn to acclimate to your new set of circumstances. Dealing with change can be a struggle, but creating a strategy to cope with changes in life can make the road to adjustment easier.
PREPARE (If possible)
If you know a lifestyle change is coming your way, why not prepare for it? If you know you are going to move, do your research. See what it would be like to live there on a day-to-day basis. Many people consider the weather or potential jobs, but it is also important to think about the culture there. The same principles apply to changes in other areas of life. Even when the change is positive, it may bring with it some potentially difficult, yet not insurmountable, adjustments to your life and routine. While you will never be able to predict all that will come with a change, you will be less surprised if you have thought through it. Make lists, read books about it, ask questions, or seek supportive help. You may even find that you start adapting to the ideas that will come with the change before it even happens.
GIVE YOURSELF TIME
After a big change, likely you won’t be fully accustomed to it overnight, or even after a couple of weeks. Be patient. It takes time to live in a different world, whether it is a different environment or a different structure of your workplace, relationships or home. Little battles along the way can have a large impact on the process. Habits will change, and so will needs. Give yourself a break if you haven’t gotten to the point of comfort that you were hoping to reach right away. While setting goals can be a great motivator for some, in this circumstance, giving yourself a time line may not be the best idea. You may already be going through a difficult time, so setting rigid goals before you face all of the challenges and failing to meet those goals could make you feel worse. As previously stated, you cannot be aware of all of the aspects of change to which you will have to grow accustomed. A time line means the road to comfort is a predictable straight-shot, but reality is that it can be a winding road. Unexpected things are likely to happen in new situations, so be sure to be open to them and accommodate them. Part of change is being malleable and being accepting of these new experiences.
SELF-CONFIDENCE
Praise yourself for the little victories. Recognize what choices you are making and adjust your actions as needed to assist in your transition. Be conscious of the circumstances in which find yourself, and consider other times you have successfully navigated challenges. Acknowledge and tap into your inner confidence and apply it to your new circumstances. Observe your attitude towards change and, if need be, renovate it to give you the boost you need to face the challenges with self-faith.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Keep healthy. Drink plenty of water; eat nutritious foods; exercise; and get enough sleep. This is particularly important when you are going through a transition in order to avoid un-needed stress. If your body is under stress emotionally, it more susceptible to becoming sick, which is the last thing you need while adjusting to your new circumstances.
DEVELOP A NEW ROUTINE
A routine is important, but in times of change, it can be especially valuable. Adapting to change is about creating a “new normal.” Not everything will change, but some things will. As a result, it can help with the transition if you consciously combine some of your old routines into new ones.
HOLD ON TO MEMORIES BUT KNOW YOU ARE ABOUT TO MAKE MORE
When you are comfortable with where you are in life it can be scary to make these changes. It can feel like you are abandoning important aspects of life that make you, you. However, keep in mind that holding onto memories is great, but don’t let them hold you back. Move forward and be excited to create new memories. Leaving your comfort zone can teach you more about yourself and you may discover skills and interests you never knew you had.
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