Big changes can occur in your life, even when you least expect it. These changes can be positive, like a promotion at your job, or the beginning of a new relationship. But they can also be negative, like undergoing a breakup, or having a health problem.
Whatever the case may be, adaptation may be necessary to help you handle your new situation. This can be quite scary at first, but if you do it correctly, then it can help you ride out some of those major changes, and help you ease into your new situation.
Who knows, perhaps some of the things you learn could even help serve you for the rest of your life. Even though change can be disruptive, it can often lead to a better place. For example, if you lose your job, you may realize that you didn’t want to be in that field anyway. If you broke up with someone, you may realize that you deserve someone better. Every setback, after all, is an opportunity to make your life better.
How to deal with major life changes
In any case, there are some things that you can do to help you deal with the changes that life throws at you. Here are some tips that may help you!
#1 Make good use of the support you have. If you know that some of your friends will be there to help you emotionally during your time of great change, then this is a good time to seek them out. Try not to be too proud. Sometimes, we really do need a helping hand.
It could be as simple as having a friend listen to you complain about your situation. This can help give you validation and the feeling that you are not completely alone in your struggle. It could also be more complicated. For example, a friend could help you move your belongings, if you are moving, or he or she could help you find a new job, a new hobby, a new career path or even a new relationship. [Read: 8 friends people need in their lives]
#2 Try to roll with the punches. In other words, try not to get hung up on the way that things used to be. If it happened, it happened. There are just some things that we have no control over, and there are some things that are too late for us to remedy.
Sometimes things just happen, and getting too stuck in the past can be counterproductive. When things happen, it is time to adapt and adjust. This is how progress is best made. You cannot change what has already happened, you can only work in the present to create a better future.
The punch is coming, so try not to just sit there and wish that it wasn’t. Roll, dodge, and get out of the way. Do what you have to do, and keep moving! [Read: How to let go of the past and be excited by the future]
#3 Try to keep a positive outlook. If there is a way for you to put whatever is happening in a positive perspective, then this can help you deal with the change. For example, if you just found out that your divorced mother is now dating someone twenty years younger than she is, perhaps you can view it as an opportunity to have more in common with her partner.
Even in the most difficult of situations, there can often be something positive that comes out of it. If you can find that silver lining, then it can help to ensure that whatever is happening is not purely negative. This can go a long way in maintaining mental balance. [Read: How positive self-talk can be the key to banishing negativity]
#4 Do things that make you happy. Perhaps you like to play tennis or go to the beach or read books for hours on end. Taking the time to do things that please you can help to take your mind off of your troubles and to give you some added positive energy. The more positive energy that you have, the easier it will be to ride out the changes that are happening all around.
Think of these activities as your anchor, whenever you think the changes in your life are getting out of control. Look to positive and productive activities to help you gain some consistency in your life. [Read: 14 quick stress busters to recharge your mind]
#5 Avoid things that make you unhappy. This may sounds simple, but many people actually struggle to do this. If there is someone in your life who really upsets you, then avoid the person. There is no need to add to your stress during a big life change.
The same is true for places and things. If going to a certain bar bothers you because the manager is creepy or the music is too loud, then there is no need to force yourself to go there. Make your life as easy as possible during challenging times. You need your energy to go toward dealing with the main problems. Don’t add little problems, if you don’t have to.
#6 Try to solve the main problem. If you are really stressing out because you need to find a new apartment, the only thing that will really end the stress is finding a new apartment. Procrastinating or distracting yourself may help to temporarily relieve the stress, but it will return as soon as you have to think about the issue.
Solving the actual issue, however will make the problem disappear or it will make it a lot easier to deal with. Once you have a clear plan of action and you have executed the initial stages of your plan, then you can give yourself a reward by taking a break from all the hustle and bustle.
#7 Get inspiration from people who have dealt with a similar problem. If you know someone who has dealt with a similar thing to what you are going through, perhaps you can get his or her advice. For instance, you have a friend who has gone through a similarly difficult breakup, asking that friend for some tips on how to quickly come to terms with the end of your relationship not only helps you accept the situation faster, but it can also give you some perspective on your situation.
#8 Get professional help. If the situation that you are dealing with is simply too much, getting a therapist or a life coach may help you. These people are trained to guide people through difficult situations, and they have skills that will most likely help you. It isn’t shameful, and it can be extremely beneficial to seek the advice of someone who helps people for a living.
You can even seek the help of professionals who are trained to handle newbies in a certain field. For instance, if you’ve gotten a job in a field that’s different from your previous jobs, asking around for a mentor or someone who can guide you will be a great way to help you deal with the change.
