How to Navigate Change
Change in life is a given. Change comes in a number of different forms, from a specific change that you have decided to make, such as changing habits with eating, to changes that come from the outside such as losing a job or a relationship break down.
Over the last eighteen months we have seen a worldwide change that has impacts almost every area of life with COVID-19. This has resulted in unexpected changes for individuals, communities and society.
Change can be difficult, especially when it is unexpected. Being forced to face a changing situation can bring up anxiety due to the fear of the unknown and feelings of not being in control. While challenging, there are ways of working through change effectively, and using change to grow.
Change can take away something that we have always known and relied on for our security and safety. At these times it is important to be able to acknowledge the difficult emotions that can occur, such as shock, grief, anger, anxiety and sadness.
During these times of change it is important to build or maintain effective routines. These routines include exercise, good sleeping habits, nutrition and social connection, which are all crucial for good mental health. These routines also assist in helping to manage the stress that can occur when change happens.
When we are dealing with too many things in life it is also easy to become overwhelmed. Being able to talk about the issues with a trusted friend or counsellor can help to gain more perspective on the situation, and identify what the next steps you need to take are. Breaking down a bigger situation into smaller steps can help make any situation more manageable.
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Socrates
How counselling can help
Being able to reach out for support is important when we are faced with change. Having friends or family members for support can help to break down the isolation of having to deal with something by yourself. Along with these social supports a counsellor can assist you in expressing your feelings about the situation, gain clarity on how to identify what you can do in the situation and support you to navigate your way through the changes.
As humans we constantly seek to understand our situations. In this way our brain is a meaning making machine. When there is a change it is easy to become overwhelmed and focus on what we can't control and what has been lost. Through working on change step by step, and gaining support when needed changes can be incorporated into your life. Many people who have effectively navigated change in life also talk about change being the catalyst for growth in life that might not have happened otherwise.
