Who loves change? Wait, you don’t love change?! You know, the kind of change when your whole world turns upside down and you have no other choice but to hang on for dear life? Not your cup of tea?!
Well, if it’s not, don’t worry, the other 7.53 billion people in the world would probably agree with you. Yes, some change is fun, but the unwanted change that comes into your life unexpectantly like a freight train blindsiding you isn’t.
I’m currently in a season of change, and I get it. Although the season of change I’m in was orchestrated by my choices, there are some parts about this season I’m really not a huge fan of. For example, I recently sold my house and moved my 4 animals and midsize, human daughter into my mother’s home for a period of time. As I type this my closet is my mother’s foyer, equipped with my dresser and hanging rack. Not what everyone brags about when they talk about the upside of change.
But there are some ways to embrace and actually enjoy the change happening in your life, and here’s how.
1. “The only constant in life is change.” Heraclitus
Heraclitus was a Greek Philosopher who was alive around 503 BCE. Things were changing then and things are changing now. Everything changes in life. In fact, the one thing that you can count on is for nothing to stay the same. Think about it. Do you look or think the same as when you were 5 years old? Of course not! You have changed.
The more we fight the change happening in our life the more we cause ourselves undue heartache and pain. You may not like the change. However, since we know change is inevitable, learning to accept and embrace it rather than fight against it is crucial in not getting wrapped up in fear and worry over something you may have little to no control over.
2. Appreciate what came before.
There are some seasons in my life that were pretty awesome! These are periods of time I can look back on with appreciation of what it molded me into. Heck, even the really crappy seasons taught me something I needed for today.
It’s okay to feel sad or regret things not being the same as they were before, but instead of focusing on what isn’t focus on what you were grateful for in the chapter of life you are leaving. When gratitude takes hold, it is much easier to step into the new chapter of life with a sense of appreciation.
3. Find the positive in what is to come.
Do you remember being a kid waiting for Christmas day to get here? You couldn’t wait to see what would be under the tree. Although change does not always feel like waiting for Christmas day, on the other side of change is a “whole new world”. We don’t know what it will look like, but it is there waiting.
When you are embarking on change, try to think of all the things you may learn or experience on the other side. Yes, you will miss the old things you have to leave behind, but what can you look forward to?
Bottom line, change can be difficult, but reframing how you look at change can make it just a little less scary. Go with courage friend! The next season of your life awaits you.
BE INSPIRED
What is something you are looking forward to on the other side of a change you are going through? Comment below.
