Morning Motivation – Tips to Navigate Change

2020 was a year of big change, and 2021 will be one too.

Navigating change can be tough. Sometimes we get so caught up in fighting change that we don’t deal with our feelings about the changes.

Keep the Big Picture in Mind

A change – such as a divorce, a new job, a move to a new city – can seem overwhelming.

Take time to consider why you’re making a change and how you are dealing with it emotionally. Keep a journal about WHY you’re making the change – and when you have doubts go back and read your journal entries to serve as a reminder to yourself. Remember, don’t just journal the negatives, or problems. Journal what’s going on in your life and your emotions during the change, both enjoyable and difficult.

Seek Support

Ask friends or family for help or emotional support as you go through a period of change. Connecting with your loved ones can ease your burden and brighten the journey. You’re not alone. So call/zoom/chat online.

Celebrate the Positives

Seek out the positives. There is no big life change that cannot also be joyful and rewarding at times. If the positive aspects are not obvious, seek them out. Think about what the positives in the way your life will be after the life change. Then remember to journal them so you can go back during tough moments and remind yourselves that it’s not all tough. 

Give Yourself Time

Give yourself time to process your emotions. Be curious about why you feel anxious or afraid. 

Don’t judge your feelings. There’s nothing bad about your feelings. Just observe them. This is an important step in embracing change.

Good Changes Can Cause Stress Too!

Sometimes when people go through a positive life change, such as graduating, getting married, having a baby, they still feel a great deal of stress—or even dread. Don’t worry, it’s normal.

Do the same things as for any other big changes. Journal, seek support from loved ones, celebrate the positive, embrace your feelings.

Give Yourself a Break

In a time of change, you may feel a little out of control. You may feel like you are not living up to your expectations for yourself. Remember that you are allowed to do less than what is humanly possible.

Nothing says you have to function at 100 percent all the time. People make mistakes—it’s one of the great things about being human.

When we’ve made it through to the other side, it’s easy to look back with perspective and call it growth. Keep this in mind as you encounter adversity, challenges, and changes in your life. So far, you’ve navigated every change thrown your way. That’s a pretty good track record!

Lisa Bien is a motivational speaker and coach whose column appears twice a month on Woman Around Town. For more information on Lisa, go to her website.

Top photo: Bigstock