Change is inevitable and a natural part of life. If we look at nature we see change in seasons, weather patterns, earth surface, etc. But, humans can be creatures of habit, we like our routines and comfort zones and resist anything that disrupts that status quo. However, it’s the resistance that uses up and dissipates a lot of our energy leaving us frustrated and confused. Eckert Tolle says sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on. The more we fight change the finer the challenge. Its human tendency to fear the unknown but it is in that space between the known and unknown that we can experience our greatest transformations. It’s in the middle of chaos that clarity can begin to emerge if we are willing to let go of the past. Change is the reminder that we are living creatures and life is about growth.
Five Ways to Embrace Change
- Accept things as they are and not as we wish they were. With acceptance comes letting go of the resistance. Accepting ourselves and our abilities gives us the power and courage to embrace any change we may be experiencing.
- Reach out to others. Sometimes, change is hard such as in job loss, death or separation. Having other people to talk and gain additional perspectives can be important to navigating through the process.
- Put structures in place to help through the chaos phase. If you’re in transition of some kind – keep on a schedule, plan the days and weeks to assure you are staying active. Nurture relationships.
- Understand ourselves. We are all unique and motivated by different things. Understanding what excites us, our strengths and weaknesses is essential to navigating through any kind of change process. Transition is time for self-reflection and growth.
- Manage the stress. It’s often the case that during changing times when our stress can be high we exercise less, eat worse and are the most hard on ourselves. Managing our energy and stress during these periods increases our clarity and effectiveness.
Change is a constant and the more we embrace, understand and learn from the experience the greater the reward at the end.
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