Whether, expected or out of the blue, major life changes can throw you for a loop! Career shifts, illness, kids leaving for school, moving to a new city – even the positive change we WANT to happen can be stressful.
If you’re going through a big life change right now, or about to embark on a significant change, these tips will help you navigate with a positive mindset, and help look forward to the future, rather than dwelling on what was.
7 Tips to Help You Positively Move Forward
1. Acknowledge that things are changing.
This sounds simple enough – but acceptance of your circumstances can be more challenging than it sounds. Don’t try to run away from it, or force things to be ‘like they were’. Allow yourself to feel your feelings, even if it’s a mixed bag and you switch between happy and sad in the blink of an eye. Simply accepting that things in your life will look different now (and that its OKAY) goes a long way to looking forward after a big change.
2. Recognize that even good change is stressful.
Moving to a new city, starting a new job, or your kids heading out into the world at school – all signal that life is moving on as it should. But even good change that you are excited about brings stress. Whether it’s something that you are looking forward to, or a natural part of life (meaning you’ve done a great job as a parent and have raised strong, independent kids who will go on to be successful!) any major life change will be a stressful situation.
Accept that you will have good and bad moments, and that its okay to be happy and stressed about a big life change all at the same time!
3. Maintain Routine (or create a new one).
Part of the reason change is so challenging is that it disrupts our everyday lives, so we no longer know what to expect. Establishing a daily routine will help you feel more in control of the situation and will give your brain a break because It will know what’s coming next in the day.
And be sure to schedule in something you look forward to every day (whether that’s teatime, a walk with the dog, or a chat with a friend!)
4. Seek support.
We instinctually crave human connection when we are stressed. If you are having a hard time coping with change, reach out for help! Whether its coffee with a close friend, a deep conversation with your spouse, a support group, or a therapist. Being surrounded with loving people during a big life change can make all the difference. Just knowing you are not alone and that others have been where you are now and come out the other side, helps give you comfort and peace of mind.
5. Schedule time to decompress.
Be sure to give yourself grace during periods of big change – lower your expectations of yourself. When your brain is processing something major you can often more tired, anxious, or depressed. Be sure to give yourself down time and take care of both your mental and physical health. Go for a walk, eat healthy, drink lots of water – make sure you are doing all you can to support your body and stay healthy during a trying time.
6. Find the GOOD!
Practice gratitude, celebrate small wins, and be sure to focus on all the little things that make you happy in a day. What good has come out of this change? How can you shift your mindset to focus on all the things in your life you are grateful for?
7. Be Proactive.
If you can’t find the good, CREATE it! If you know a big change is coming, try to get ahead of it, to set yourself up for success. If you can, transition slowly and get a routine in place so it will be easier to adjust when the change does hit. Focus your attention on ways you can actively make the best out of the situation. You may not be able to control your situation, but you can control the way you react to it.
Big change is part of life – sometimes it’s welcome, sometimes it’s planned, and sometimes it comes out of nowhere and knocks you for a loop. BUT, you are still in control of your own destiny – shift your mindset, and focus your energy on making your life NOW the best it possibly can be!