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A move, a new job, or a promotion—what emotions are the upcoming changes evoking? Pleasant excitement or intense fear? It largely depends on the approach. Here are some helpful tips to help you get through the transition successfully.
For many, the upcoming changes cause fear and anxiety. The method for determining stress tolerance, developed by psychiatrists Thomas Holmes and Richard Rage, indicates that even small changes in habitual lifestyle can affect health.
But at the same time, by avoiding the necessary changes, we can miss opportunities for growth, development, gaining new impressions and experience. Use these tips to deal with your worries.
1. Tell yourself honestly how comfortable you are with change.
Some people thrive in uncertainty, others don’t like change. It is important to understand how life changes are tolerable for you. Ask yourself: do you usually expect them with impatience or with horror? How long do you have to adjust to new situations? By becoming aware of your needs, you can take care of yourself during this period.
2. Formulate what worries you, what you fear
Give yourself time to sort out your worries about upcoming changes. Perhaps you are partly happy with them, and partly afraid. Having decided on emotions, you will understand how ready for them.
Ask yourself: How do you react to thinking about changing your lifestyle? Is there an internal conflict? Do you feel like you’re ready, or do you have to figure out what you’re afraid of first?
3. Analyze the facts
Fact analysis is the main method of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. It often turns out that some of the fears are caused by cognitive biases (erroneous thought patterns). Of course, they also should not be ignored and should be dealt with, it is equally important to analyze which of the fears are justified and which are not.
For example, you are no longer young and are afraid to go to university, afraid that you will not be able to cope with work and study at the same time. After analyzing the facts, you remember How long you enjoyed studying when you received your first education. You already have experience in the chosen field of activity, and it can give an important advantage. In general, you are a disciplined person, not prone to procrastination and do not miss the deadlines. All the facts say that you will surely cope, despite your fears.
4. Start change gradually, in small steps.
When you realize that you are ready to change your life, make a step-by-step plan of action. Some changes can be implemented immediately (for example, start meditating for 10 minutes every day, make an appointment with a psychotherapist). More serious ones (moving, traveling for which you have been saving for a long time, divorce) will require planning. In many cases, you will first have to cope with fears and other unpleasant emotions.
Ask yourself if you need a detailed plan to implement the change. Do I need to prepare emotionally for change? What will be the first step?
Purposefulness, a good understanding of oneself, compassion for oneself and patience are important for those who dream of changing the established way of life. Yes, change is inevitably stressful, but it can be managed. Do not be afraid of changes that open up many new opportunities!
Çavkanî: blogs.psychcentral.com