Are you resistant to change? Do you ever find yourself wishing you could be less anxious, less fearful, more confident in your relationships, and more willing to simply “go with the flow”? If so, you’re not alone. Many people of all ages, genders, backgrounds, marriage status, and locations around the world struggle with this same resistance.
One of the biggest causes of resistance to change is that four-letter F-word: fear. According to life coach Mark Connelly, “Fear of change is one of the most common reasons for resistance.” In fact, it can actually paralyze us from taking any action at all.
For those among us who fear change, transition can spark chaotic feelings and send us spiraling into a frenzy of worry and anxiety. Why? Psychologists say people fear change, in part, because they subconsciously believe that “when you’ve been doing something a particular way for some time, it must be a good way to do things. And the longer you’ve been doing it that way, the better it is.”
Luckily, change isn’t always that bad, whether you’re ending a toxic relationship, undertaking marriage counseling, or trying to start a new one the right way. Perhaps you’re planning a big move, trying to get healthy, or dealing with the loss of a loved one. The truth is, even the most difficult life transitions can sometimes provide us with an inspiring spark (or a much-needed kick) to improve ourselves — and our lives. With a little positive thinking, we can use a period of transition as a way to change our lives for the better.
Finding Professional and Personal Happiness
According to recruiting firm Robert Half Technology, when we are happier, we are more engaged and more productive at our jobs. This is potentially good news if your current transition involves switching jobs. Experts believe that people who feel valued in their workplaces are more motivated and make bigger contributions. This can potentially lead to higher salaries, promotions, and a greater level of overall satisfaction – with your job and with your personal life.
Alternatively, if you feel like you’ve been stuck in a career rut, you could take this as an opportunity to make a change by working on a side hustle, start freelancing, or even building your own business. Should you decide to venture out on your own, doing it the right way will help you stick to your goals and avoid unnecessary stress. For example, you’ll want to choose a business structure early on to protect yourself and limit your liability. Forming an LLC in Alabama can be done online easily and inexpensively, which will free up your time and resources to focus on growing your new venture.
Eliminating Stress
During times of transition, especially if we are feeling anxiety or stress, it can be helpful to pause and breathe. Activities such as yoga, breath work, or mindfulness meditation are helpful in allowing us to simply observe what is happening in our lives and relationships, rather than reacting to it. This awareness empowers us to better anticipate life’s ups and downs, and helps us learn to gracefully “ride the waves.”
Other practical ways to manage stress include increasing your physical activity, eating well, limiting your caffeine and alcohol intake. And remember, you don’t have to do it alone. Counseling and therapy, including marriage counseling, can help you work through the core feelings and issues causing your anxiety and provide proven strategies for coping with whatever life is throwing your way.
Tidying Up Your Home
Last but not least, transitions such as moving into a new home can provide us the opportunity to transform our home environments in positive ways. For instance, we may want to tidy up our new home and use the opportunity to get organized. After all, a clean home is a healthy and, more importantly, happy environment. By decluttering your home environment, you can help reduce stress, eliminate fatigue, and strengthen relationships, as well as contribute to your overall happiness.
Tidying up your home can also help you trust yourself, helping you deal with future challenges. Something as simple as allowing yourself to let go of items you no longer need can give you the confidence to make future decisions and meet upcoming challenges head on.
Periods of transition can become a way to change your life for the better. Rather than resisting change or allowing yourself to become stressed out by the unknowns, you can use times of transition as the fuel to begin making healthier choices, including reducing stress, eliminating toxic relationships, and creating a happy, healthy home environment.
If you need help finding peace during life’s challenges, we can help. Contact Aspire for more information about our counseling and coaching services.
