According to Benjamin Disraeli, “Change is inevitable. Change is constant.” Yet, many of us have asked the following question. If change is a constant and it beats to its own drum at times, then why is it challenging for some and not for others to accept or embrace? Change affects us all differently. Our acceptance depends on what is changing, how much is changing, and the time involved before the change takes place. We owe it to our health to learn how we can be more accepting of change in order to reduce the negative impact it has on our emotional wellbeing. Personally, if change is going to happen regardless of our thoughts and feelings, then why fight it? Just try to embrace change and all the wonderful possibilities it has to offer? Well, it is easier said than done, I know.
Just recently I was on a conference call when I heard, “change is coming and to expect it.” At that moment, I felt the stress of the unknown. I expect the changes to be a positive encounter, but just the same it had left me with all the questions that changes bring. I began to speak positive affirmation over the anticipated changes that were just right around the corner, but caught myself derailing and reflecting on how much my life has changed in the last two years.
My life has changed so much that I continue to say to myself, “I wished the world could just stop and allow me the time to process.” Due to the 360 degree change my life has taken I find myself mentioning while in conversation with another something past tense. For instance, I used to be married, I used to have a different career, and I use to have a different life, a different car, and participate in different activities. I could certainly go on, but I believe you have the picture.
Change sometimes has no boundaries of timing, whom it effects, or how it affects are emotional wellbeing. It just happens and we simply have no choice, but to accept it and move on. For example, illness or death of a love one, which has happen more times then I like to think about in the near recent past. It certainly has been a whirlwind of change and I have not even touched the surface. The truth is that life continues to change, and change is unavoidable. It is the one constant in our life. Even though change is inevitable it can be welcoming. I am excited I am going to be a grandmother soon, that I have a new relationship, a new career, etc., which are all positive examples of change. Regardless, good or bad, change is here to stay.
Can we learn how to embrace change and be more accepting of change? Maybe not always, but I believe we can learn how to manage change by acknowledging the role we play.
Some people just thrive on change, while others are not impacted by the change. Either way these individuals just embrace the change. However, there are individuals that just flat refuse change at all cost, and tend to fear something worst will come of the change. Then there are those individuals that worry about the ambiguous outcomes that come as a direct result of change, but with time they learn to embrace the changes.
Let’s take a closer look:
The individuals that thrive on change are likely those who have initiated the change in the first place. They tend to challenge the current situation in the first place. They realize that change can promote efficiency and growth. At times, these individuals could be seen as visionary. If this is you, please try to be considerate to those that the change effects by having open dialog and by-in. Learn how the change will impact others before charging forward. When possible move slowly so other can get on board. We experience our fill of change on regular basis so whatever you do, do not change for change’s sake. If this not you presently maybe you may want to work on getting out of your comfort zone. Challenge your personal growth by changing something that you feel needs to be changed.
People who embrace change are usually optimists. These individuals try to keep others motivated with their positive outlook. These individuals look forward to new possibilities. If this is you, then please keep doing what you are doing. Everyone needs a cheerleader so cheer on letting everyone know change can be good and most of the time welcomed. Promote the good that comes from change. There are usually endless possibilities that comes from change if we are open to look for the positive. If this is not you, then partner up with one of these cheerleaders. Let them help you see the good that can come from change.
Then there are individuals that need more time to adjust. They tend to resist change at all cost and need time to prepare. At the end of the day they will put up with change, but it will be hard to tell how much the change has taken a toll on their emotional being. These individuals fear the outcome to be worst then what they are presently experiencing. If this you, please remember change is going to take place, and I would encourage you to force yourself to write a list of at least five positive things that could come from the change and review daily. This will help your stress level and help you to accept the change sooner.
Then finally there are those individuals that worry about the change. These individuals are careful and objective thinkers that keep others in check. If allowed, these individuals help us look for the outliers that can affect the outcomes of the change taking place. If we take a moment to listen to them we may be able to modify the change to promote better outcomes, for a win-win situation. Then again this may not be you, but do not kid yourself all change comes with ambiguous challenges that we all feel the stressed of until resolved. Don’t believe me? For the next month try to reverse the way you put on your shoes. Some of us put on both socks on then both shoes. Some start with the right foot sock, then right foot shoe, then Left foot sock then ending with the left foot shoe. No matter your current way of putting on your shoes change it up and note how you feel about the change daily. Further, then review your comments after 30 days. If you truly continue to do this for thirty days you will note the change has become habit despite your feelings in the beginning and middle. I would also encourage you to partner up with someone and share your comments. I would imagine the change will happen regardless of your thoughts, but by sharing with another your stress will be reduced. By having an open dialogue with another we can help reduce the stress of change.
In closing, no matter how you deal with change everyone can bring balance to the topic. Remember, change comes with ambiguous challenges and can stress our emotional wellbeing as well. I would encourage you to find a good friend or mentor that will help you to find the good that change has to offer and overcome your fears surrounding the topic. Whenever in doubt just like the shoe experiment you can be like me and just fake it until you embrace it, because eventually it will become habit and embrace you. Change is happening at this very moment so embrace it or learn to manage it, and by doing so you provide improved emotional well being for yourself.
