There’s no denying that it can be incredibly challenging to deal with change. It knocks us off balance, and it can take days or weeks to regain momentum. However, you can gather the tools to reshape the narrative of your life while maintaining a stable foundation.
Change can drudge up feelings of fear, frustration, or hopelessness. It can make you feel lost and like there’s no way out of a bad situation. To deal with change, you must identify whether you’re experiencing an unexpected, occupational, lifestyle, or transformational change. After that, face the change, practice gratitude, maintain a positive attitude, and lean on your support system.
Sometimes you may see change coming, allowing you to better prepare for it. For instance, if you know you’re taking on a new role at work, you can be proactive in dealing with the change. Or you may see a sign that indicates change, like Angel Number 1111 or Angel Number 411. These are known as planned changes and may be less difficult to cope with than unexpected changes.
This post explores some of the best ways to deal with change. But before we dive into these coping mechanisms, let’s look at the different types of change.
The Different Types of Change
Change isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” occurrence. It varies per situation and person. Therefore, we may classify change into four primary categories:
- Unexpected Change
- Occupational Change
- Lifestyle Change
- Transformational Change
Understanding where the alteration in your circumstances falls can help you deal with change better. You can look for specific solutions that apply to the change you’re experiencing instead of relying on general advice. Let’s delve a little deeper into each of these categories.
A. Unexpected Change
The changes that hit the hardest are those we don’t see coming. These can be anything from losing a loved one or your job to experiencing a natural disaster. Unexpected changes come without warning and are beyond our control.
When an unexpected change occurs in your life, you have no time to prepare. You’re forced to come to terms with the change and move on with your life.
Unexpected changes have negative implications and might be the hardest to deal with. However, there are ways to turn this kind of change around for the better.
B. Occupational Change
This category of change relates to your profession or career. It occurs within your work environment and is often associated with a new position, colleague, boss, or office space.
Although you may see it coming, it can still be hard to deal with change in the workplace. You may have to make significant or minor adjustments to cope. And you may feel thrown off your routine or unable to get into the flow for some time.
C. Lifestyle Change
Alterations to your day-to-day life are known as lifestyle changes. They can have a ripple effect in your life, influencing your health, habits, and behavior for positive results. Some examples include:
- Incorporating exercise into your routine
- Adjusting to a more consistent sleeping pattern
- Reducing your junk food consumption
These can often be challenging to navigate, even if you’ve decided on the change and implemented it. However, there are ways to manage the effects of a lifestyle change to ensure they are successful.
D. Transformational Change
Transformational changes produce significant shifts in one’s life. These changes propel one forward in terms of personal or spiritual growth. They are often very noticeable and beneficial. You may initiate the change when you want to feel more confident or find inner peace.
Part of transformational change could involve enforcing new habits, such as meditating regularly or including daily affirmations. Alternatively, you may switch careers to pursue your lifelong passion.
This change is affiliated with growth and personal development. And while you have complete control over it, transformational change may be hard to cope with.
10 Ways to Deal With Change
1. Face It Head-on
Whether it’s a change you initiated or one that blindsided you, you must face it head-on. One of the best ways to deal with change is to acknowledge its presence.
The minute you’re in denial about change, you will put off or avoid dealing with it. Running away from the experience doesn’t mean it will disappear and will likely just lead to added stress. You can start coping better by accepting the change and working through the process.
2. Maintain a Positive Attitude
It’s easy for negative self-talk to take charge when change occurs. You may blame yourself for not being more dedicated to your job to explain being fired. Or you may beat yourself up for changes that were beyond your control.
Negative thinking can influence your mental health and life in the following ways:
- Leads to depression
- Causes challenges in relationships
- Makes one obsess over perfection
- Reduces one’s sense of self-worth
Therefore, to effectively deal with change, you must maintain a positive attitude. Try to see the good in a bad situation. Remember that every second is an opportunity to trade negative thoughts for positive affirmations. And understand that all change happens for a reason, so a life lesson is likely to be learned.
3. Think It Through in Writing
Expressing your thoughts and feelings in writing is another way to deal with change. Journaling has long been a therapeutic technique. It forces you to slow down, explore your thoughts, and ponder the events in your life. This may work for you, especially if you tend to overthink things and allow negative self-talk to seep in.
You can journal about the positives that have occurred or may still materialize due to the change. Perhaps you have changed your habits for the betterment of your overall well-being. Or maybe your self-confidence has improved due to a change you recently faced.
Change is an opportunity for growth. By writing about the change, you acknowledge the transformations that have occurred.
4. Be Confident in Your Decision
If you initiate a change and later regret it, that’s completely natural. But what if it’s a necessary change that you know will help you in the long run? What’s important is recognizing your feelings and trusting that you made the right decision.
You didn’t make the change because anyone forced you. Perhaps your circumstances prompted you to change. Still, you must take responsibility for your actions at the end of the day.
Avoid lamenting over what was or what could have been. Instead, tell yourself you’ve made the right decision, despite the seemingly arduous journey ahead. Whether it’s for your family, health, or career, it’s crucial to see things through.
5. Allow It to Happen
If you have no control over the changes taking place, simply allow them to happen. This applies when you lose a loved one, experience a natural disaster, or are retrenched from your job.
Trying to resist what’s happening will only hold you back from coping with the changes in your life. Acknowledge and embrace your feelings about the situation. And let yourself grieve or feel disappointed.
It may help to understand that change is an inevitable occurrence in life. Or you can try to put the change in perspective by reframing the situation. Remember, it’s completely acceptable to take all the time you need to deal with what has happened.
6. Lean on Your Support System
Your support system can make the most significant difference when dealing with change. These can be your relatives, friends, or your therapist. You lean on them for comfort, advice, to lend an ear, or for a much-needed hug.
Express your feelings if you feel comfortable doing so. You can also share your thoughts about the change and ask them for advice. All in all, it’s best not to be alone when dealing with change. And talking about anything you find challenging in life lightens the load and makes it easier to deal with.
7. Ask for Help
If you don’t have a support system or aren’t comfortable speaking to friends and family, ask someone else for help. Perhaps reach out to your mentor and ask them to advise you about the next steps in your career. Or make an appointment with a therapist to help you deal with the changes in your life.
There’s no shame in asking for help. Recognizing that you can’t cope on your own and need some assistance is a sign of strength. No one should be expected to deal with life’s challenges alone.
8. Pamper or Treat Yourself
Self-care can go a long way when dealing with change. Perhaps you’ve been so wrapped up in what’s happening that you haven’t had time for yourself. Constantly being in survival mode can take its toll, so try to carve out some time for yourself.
If you have the means, you may try changing your hairstyle or getting a massage to lift your spirits. Alternatively, take a warm bath with scented candles and your favorite book.
During this time of change, try scheduling calming activities throughout your day. That way, you can have something to look forward to and enjoy moments of respite.
9. Practice Gratitude
Being grateful is another way to deal with change. In fact, practicing gratitude is also a technique to improve your overall mental health. This is because gratitude allows you to see past the changes and the negative emotions associated with them.
If you’ve lost your job, be grateful for the financial support you’re receiving from your partner. And if you have lost a family member, be grateful for those you have and work to strengthen your bond.
You can start the habit of gratitude by journaling daily or weekly. Using a simple notebook or your phone’s notes app to jot down what you’re grateful for each day will also help. Alternatively, create a tradition where you and your family express what you’re thankful for every morning.
Experts state that regular gratitude practice can train your brain to be more accepting of the habit. This can lead to improved mental well-being. It may also increase your level of compassion and help you connect better with others.
10. Stick to Your Routine
Following your regular schedule as much as possible, is another way to deal with change. This is because having constants in your life, like going to bed at 10 PM every day, grounds you.
A routine reminds you that some things are still the same. Your brain will also get some rest from reacting to the newness that comes with change.
Try writing your routine out while dealing with the change in your life. Then as the day goes by, tick off everything you accomplish as you go. This will reduce the pressure on your mind because it won’t have to store as many things.
The Bottom Line
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Change is an unavoidable occurrence in life. It’s not unique to a select group of people, but it presents itself differently to each individual.
From the moment you’re born, you move through different phases of life that introduce aspects you weren’t familiar with. Feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, fear, or worry may plague you. And you may develop an aversion to change.
However, you can learn many methods to cope with change. In the case of changes that catch you off guard, it helps to acknowledge what’s happening. And to address your feelings about it.
It also helps to ask for help or lean on your support system during times of change. You could also try journaling to analyze the situation and acknowledge it. Overall, maintaining a positive attitude is a surefire way to get through to the other side of change without losing yourself.
If you see an Angel Number that means change, keep an eye out for opportunities. You may experience changes in any aspect of your life, from your relationship to your job. Remember to acknowledge the change and trust that the divine beings watching over you have your best interests at heart.
