How to Embrace Change When You Don’t Know What’s Next
If you were to ask 5 people about their thoughts on adapting to change, you would receive several different answers.
Change can be hard
Change can be good
Change can be scary
Change can be exciting
Change can be negative
While all of the possible responses to change above can be true, what we each experience with change is the opportunity to grow beyond our control. Have you ever felt uneasy and lost because you don’t know what’s next for you in life? Or perhaps frustrated because you’re trying to control each step in life but it’s not going your way. You’re not alone. It’s natural to feel anxious, frustrated, or unsettled when you’re facing an unknown transitional period in life.
A little over a year ago, I closed my first business, Cindsational Creation. What began as a hobby full of passion and fun turned into a business that sucked the fun away. Running the business as a solo entrepreneur led to burnout and I decided to walk away with no idea if I would return. After closing down, coming home after work with no agenda was so relieving. I became a couch potato catching up on the latest Netflix shows, spending more time with friends, and reading the books that were taking up space on my bookshelf that I had not touched. After some time, I began to feel guilty for all my free time. Like I thought that I needed to be doing something productive at all times (see how society has our brains wired!)
Allow yourself to be a human BEing rather than a human DOing.
Do nothing, Just Be.
That guilty feeling lasted about 7ish months. It was a rough and weird place for me to be in because I’m so used to constantly being on the go working my 9-5 and operating my own business afterward each day. Little did I know, that period of uncertainty prepared me for where I am today. The light at the end of the tunnel led me to accept a new job with a fantastic company and move to a new city. If I were still in constant go mode and trying to be in control, I wouldn’t have had the time to prepare for where I am now.
Society has taught us that we must be doing something to be valued. Instead, we should be enjoying the quiet period of not having the answer to what’s next. This time is for us to explore new hobbies, focus on self-development, read more, catch up on sleep, and do anything else that we weren’t doing before entering a period of uncertainty. Whether you’re facing a major life transition or simply dealing with unexpected shifts in your day-to-day routine, learning to embrace change can help you navigate uncertainty with confidence and transform your life. I’ve listed a few tips below to help you through your journey
Embrace Uncertainty and Trust that the Universe is Working Life Out in Your Favor
Trust that there is a rhythm and timing to everything. Let go of the desire for wanting to control every step of your life. When you allow things to unfold without resistance, allow space for unexpected opportunities to present themselves. You’ll gain a sense of peace letting go of the desire to control.
Know How to Pivot
If plan A doesn’t work, move on to plan B. If plan B doesn’t work, move on to plan C. The world doesn’t stop just because one plan fails. Sometimes, what appears to be a setback or detour is actually a necessary part of your journey. Try plans D, E, F, …., and Z. Keep putting in the effort. Faith without works is dead.
Change Your Mindset
Approach change with a positive mindset. During challenging times, there are valuable lessons and hidden opportunities for growth. It’s natural to feel anxious and frustrated during a frustration but don’t it consume you. Allowing negative thoughts to consume you, will keep you down mentally. Creating a habit of reflecting on daily gratitudes will help keep your mind focused on the positive,
Practice Gratitude
Recognize that even during challenging times, there are valuable lessons and hidden opportunities for growth. A gratitude journal is a great way to reflect on the positive aspects of your life. I want to share 3 journal prompts to help you start developing a routine of practicing gratitude.
What’s something that you’re grateful to have today that you didn’t have a year ago?
What’s an accomplishment you’re proud of?
What have I recently introduced into my life that’s brought me more peace, joy, or comfort?
Change can open up new opportunities, help you grow and develop, and even bring about positive transformations in your life. So the next time you find yourself feeling uneasy about a change, take a moment to reflect on the potential benefits – and see where your imagination takes you
How have you navigated through transitions of uncertainty in life?
