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Autumn is officially here, which only adds to the flurry of change that have been experiencing in recent weeks in the UK. We have a new monarch, a new Prime Minister, and a new government. Your children, if you have them, have started new year groups or even new schools. And with one in five workers planning to quit their jobs this year, you yourself might be starting a new job or beginning to feel like your current job isn’t right anymore.
2022 might just be the year you look back on as the year of transformation and one you even struggled with because of all the changes that happened in quick succession. While we talk a lot about finding balance, we actually need stability in times of change – especially when everything around us is moving at such a swift pace.
Change is a part of life and while it can be challenging, we do at least get to choose how we respond. And yes, I said respond, not react. That’s because responding is different to reacting. Reactions are immediate and often based on unconscious drivers whereas a response is a mixture of conscious and unconscious thoughts.
With that in mind, here are ways you can find stability, or support those around you, in times of change, however those changes have manifested.
1. Learn to accept and expect change
We are far better placed to accept change when we expect it to be part of our lives. Expecting things to remain constant or the same is only going to make the reality more difficult when change does happen. Nothing lasts forever and a change is a part of life, work and relationships.
2. Allow yourself to feel what you are feeling
Taking the time to understand how you feel is vital. There is no right and wrong way to feel. You are unique and while there are other people out there who have experienced the change you have, do not compare your feelings or emotions to theirs.
3. Talk to people
Sharing experiences and feelings is different to comparing your experiences and feelings. Understanding you are not alone and having people around you to support you, is vital when it comes to our ability to adapt, react and understand the new realities we find ourselves in.
4. Set goals
When we set goals, we are accepting that we will move forwards. We will achieve. We will succeed. In doing so, we are accepting that we too can change. Progression is part of life and work. Achieving the goals we set and celebrating the small steps we need to take to achieve those goals, is great for our mental health too.
5. Plan rewards
Having things to look forward works in a similar way to setting goals. It makes you feel more optimistic about the future whether it’s a family bike ride, a cinema trip, a shopping spree or a holiday. They also provide pleasant distractions that can fill you with excitement when you think about them. Filling your calendar with treats and rewards can be a very effective way to respond to times of change as you are able to regain some control over what you are doing or plan to do.
Watching the news for 5 minutes or sitting and losing ourselves to thoughts of change, can often make it feel insurmountable. But practicing stability and ways to become more stable, can positively affect your wellbeing and the path to greater happiness.
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