Adapting to Change: Dealing with Life’s Transitions
photo credit - Nathan Anderson via Unsplash
Life has many stages and changes. Sometimes they are planned, expected even. This doesn’t make them any easier to understand or navigate through. How do we adapt to these changes? how do they impact ourselves and our relationships?
Today I will discuss how these transitions are marked by changes in our emotions, relationships, personal and professional selves and how we can adapt to them. How we approach these changes can help or hinder our ability to move forward. However, there are ways that we can adapt to them and come out better for it.
Here are some insights and ideas on navigating these (possibly confusing) times.
1. What is a Life Transition/change/stage?
Life transitions/stages/changes are experiences people go through that involve a major change or shift in their lives. Some examples include: becoming a parent, starting a new job, leaving/starting a new career path, belief system changes, growing as a person, loss, grief, ending or beginning relationships etc.
2. How do these changes impact our lives and what challenges arise from them?
When these changes or stages occur, they leave us feeling lost, confused, scared or excited. Each person is different in how they react to these changes. Their individual adaptability is based around previous experience, environmental factors and current beliefs.
3. How can we adapt to these changes in a healthy and effective way?
Take it easy on yourself. Changes or transitions in life can already be difficult, you don’t need to be hard on yourself to add to it. Add self-care and compassion to your daily routine. Focus on the things that you can control such as regulating your emotions and using your support system.
Final Thoughts
Change is a part of life. Life’s stages bring with them opportunity, challenges, fear, and stress. As we navigate and adapt to these stages, we need to keep our own well-being as a top priority. Self-care, compassion, support systems and reflection can help in these confusing times. If any of this sounds familiar and you don’t know where to go next, reach out…