Change Creates Opportunities 1-31-2018
Another guest piece from Jason Lewis. Perfect for settling in to the New Year! Thank you Jason.
I used to work for a man who described our resistance to change with the expression, “Change is good, you go first.” Most of us don’t enjoy the process of change, even if it’s for our betterment. However periods of transition are opportunities to make healthier choices, reduce stress, and embrace new possibilities. It all hinges on how you view your situation According to the experts at Psychology Today, we resist change for a number of reasons. We like predictability. The structure of habits and routine gives us comfort, hence the fact that without it we lack our “comfort zone.” Transitions in life tend to make us fearful, anxious about the unknown and worrying about “what ifs.” And when we endure changes, sometimes we feel our entire lives are disrupted – home life, work life, personal life, social life, family life, everything. We feel like our support systems lose their foundation, and our “normal” is missing. When facing transitions, it can help to remember it’s a natural part of life. To everything there is a season, so try to view change and transition objectively. Unplanned changes can especially make you feel like life is out of control. Remember you can take control of certain aspects of your life in all circumstances, and it can help to assuage anxiety by focusing energy on what you can get a handle on instead of the things beyond your grasp.
Even positive, planned change involves loss. It’s important to accept change as inevitable and
view transitions as a growing process rather than singular events. Don’t narrow your focus to just what changes are happening; remember the broader story of your life, the things that
remain stable and pleasant, and your own abilities to handle situations. You’ve made it this far and you can get through the period of transition as well. In order to come to grips with change and accept it, you will need to reflect on your life and think through what you miss about “before” along with what you love about “after.” As the professionals at Psych Central explain, “Reflection is truly the heart of transition. This is a time where questioning, growth, courage and creativity happen. You may even make room for a new identity that is more authentic and a true expression of who you are and where you are in your life.”
Change is a time of fresh possibilities. Thanks to periods of transition you are offered perfect timing for incorporating healthier choices into your life. Some experts recommend decluttering your life and your home to reduce stress and anxiety, encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle.
Seeing clutter around you can add to the sensation that life is out of control. Organize the “stuff” in your home, finding places for everything that you use and appropriately storing, rehoming or discarding items you don’t. Adding a plant or two can also improve your mood and reduce stress. If your lifestyle doesn’t accommodate plants well, even photos or paintings of nature can make you feel better. Professionals note that in times of transition, dumping the toxic people in your life can be especially freeing. Do some people just drain your time and energy, making you feel like you give all the time, and they just bring you down? Take the opportunity to reduce or eliminate your interactions with those people.
As pointed out by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases periods of transition are also a great time to improve your fitness habits. Make healthier eating choices, improve your physical activity levels, and commit to getting enough sleep and rest. Recognize the excuses you make for not taking better care of yourself, and embrace the fact that you are worth it, and the time is now.
Periods of transition are the perfect time for making improvements in your life. Evaluate your
lifestyle and how you view change. Maintain a positive, fresh outlook and take the opportunity
that transition presents for making better choices. And until next time, keep your homes well.
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