We are all creatures of habit. We enjoy predictability and order. While we like challenge change can be hard and unsettling. Change can be hard because we can be comfortable with our routine. Sometimes though change has to happen, and knowing how to deal with change can ease a difficult and trying process.
Remember that most changes will have positives as well as upsets. Perhaps you will have a new job or a new child, perhaps a new relationship. So what are the key things to help stay positive about change?
Try to focus on the positive
If a change is going to turn your life upside down it is easy to spend all our time looking at the downside of the change. Perhaps you are moving to a new town and worry about leaving your friends behind, but forgetting you have made a career move that you have always wanted. Perhaps your friend is moving out of the flat to get married and you feel lonely, missing the possibilities of a new flatmate or the single lifestyle.
Get support from friends and family
Change can be life changing so it’s good to be able to turn to those you trust for a fresh point of view. They can also support you when you feel down about a particular aspect of the change. Perhaps if you are moving because of your job they might come flat hunting with you. All of these things can help make the change easier and more gradual
Don’t reject new ideas out of hand
We often reject changes, not because they are bad but because they are different. You may like how things are now and only see disaster if there is change. But you need to stand back and look at the whole change, there may be positives that you haven’t thought of so try to look at the change with and open mind.
Make the change and move on
When we have made the change it can be difficult, we may be sure we have made a mistake. We may hanker for the old way of doing things. However, once change has happened there is rarely the opportunity to put things back. We need to put our best foot forward. That is not to say we can’t keep a little bit of our old life – perhaps keeping up with old work colleagues or flatmates. But accept the change and move on.
Change is good
Change is difficult to embrace, but it keeps our lives fresh and offers challenges. If you are prepared for change it need not be a trauma. There will be things that you miss, but rest assured if you look there will be good things too.