How Do You Handle Change?
“Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.”
- Wayne Dyer
Every time the leave turn from their vibrant greens to darker hues of orange, red and brown - I can’t help but think of changes that are going on within me. As each season and year passes, I notice the differences (good and not so good!) in my life. Things change really really fast and really really slow.
Change happens in every corner of our lives. Physical changes like gray hairs or new shoes, location changes like new neighborhoods or older homes, and emotional changes like hopefulness or confusion - they all effect us all the time.
So how do we deal with it? For some, change is scary. The unknown can feel like too much. But if we’re able to shift our perspective even slightly, change can sometimes feel exciting.
Here are some ways we can learn to live with change (and maybe even celebrate it!):
Lean into your comforts
Whether you moved across town or your youngest child moved to college, try to lean into the things you know will bring you peace. Maybe listen to your favorite music to start the day, take your dog on a walk, or cook your favorite meal. Whatever the change might be, keeping your few stable comforts ready and available can help tremendously as you navigate the turbulence of change.
Break it down to bite-sized
Sometimes changes can feel too big and too overwhelming we can’t even wrap our head around it. Changing careers, adding or losing a family member, or doing a major home renovation can all feel like too much. In order to keep your head above water, make sure to break tasks or plans down into tiny steps. There is no step too small! When we see the tiny steps, instead of the entire staircase, some changes can feel more manageable.
Reframe and Practice Gratitude
Sometimes change is just plain hard, especially if it wasn’t our choice or it wasn’t part of the plan. Negativity can make the adjustment harder. Try practicing a reframe, asking questions such as, “How could this benefit my life or my family?” or “What's the worst that can happen?”. When we reflect on flipping the script and looking at the change from a different angle, sometimes great things can unfold. Additionally, practicing gratitude has been a tried and true practice for helping adjust to change. Big or small, saying “thank you” and embodying appreciation for the situation often brings some lightened feelings around difficulty.
Change isn’t always bad - sometimes change is full of excitement, new beginnings, and possibility. Change allows us to recreate ourselves, meet new people, and experience life more deeply. Make sure to lean into your community when going through change and offer a place of stability for others when they’re going through change.
We can’t avoid it, we can only learn to live alongside it!
As always, if you’re looking to make a change to your home or neighborhood but it feels too big or scary - reach out. I’m here to walk you through the manageable steps of making this change and the wonderful benefits that can come of finding a new home.
Happy Fall!
Sarah
