03 Nov 13 ways to successfully navigate through difficult changes
Life's not always easy.
In fact life can be very challenging at times; especially when we're going through changes and/or transitions that question our ability to cope.
But happiness is still possible.
And happiness can still be a realistic goals.
We just need to navigate through the tough times and remember a few crucial truths…
by Rakel Sosa from the Huffington Post
If you are having a hard time going through a transition, here are 13 ways to cool down the process and allow you to move on with less drama and more success.
I compiled this list throughout the years, after going through many difficult life-changing transitions myself — moving to another country four times, getting married, becoming a mother, getting divorced, changing job, changing profession, and much more — and helping friends and clients to do the same.
I invite you to read, digest and apply (yes, it's very important to apply!).
The order of the items in the list doesn't give them any specific priority; their importance will vary depending on you, the reader.
You will maybe find that you are aware of many of them, but are you applying them? Take what you need and make it yours.
So here we go…
During a transition:
1. Turn the volume of the drama script down. When a change comes into our lives — especially when it happens abruptly — we tend to over-dramatize it. We build a story that fits us, that triggers certain emotions and easily become victims of the situation. We start repeating the story over and over again in search of empathy and consolation. That drama script often becomes the perfect excuse to resist change. If you are going through a drama-obsessive phase, you can repeat out loud: "I'm turning the volume of my drama down now." By this simple gesture you are putting awareness onto your pattern and letting go of it.
2. More emulation and less comparison. If you are going to look for reference in others people's lives, do it with a spirit of emulation, not comparison. That means that you can take what is working for someone and see if it could work for you. But don't blame yourself for not being in the same place as the person you are emulating. Each has their own process, struggles and changes to cope with. You are fine where you are. Be practical: Don't use your observational skills to hurt yourself, use them to look for what can help you.
3. Embrace your situation but don't identify with it. You are maybe separating or divorcing, got fired or are going through a threatening illness such as cancer. The tendency is to feel that now you are becoming a divorcee, or a cancer patient, or a jobless person. And yes, you are going through that and it's good to take the time to embrace the moment and your situation. But the important thing to keep in mind is that you are also much more than that. When you focus your attention too much on your illness, your divorce, or jobless identity and start experiencing your whole social life through it, you are not giving room to other parts of you to express themselves. Those other parts can actually help you build your next step, your new situation.
4. Don't be afraid to ask for help. From your family members, friends, healers, psychologist, acupuncturist, or any of the 12 steps programs… have the courage to ask for help! Being vulnerable is a way of opening to change. You will be surprised how people are happy to give you a hand, that are ready to support you in so many different ways…
…keep reading the full & original article HERE