16 Dec A New Year Is Coming—How Do You Face Change?
It’s often said that change is the only constant.
We are always in flux; but especially over new year, things tend to change and in many ways, we want them to. Most people, in some way or other, look to a new calendar year as an opportunity to be better or do different.
And so, with this in mind, this article via Psychology Today by Caren Osten might be worth reading …
KEY POINTS
- Focusing on the positive can help counterbalance our evolutionary tendency to fixate on the negative.
- Gratitude is a powerful antidote to anxiety and stress when going through a transition.
- Agency is about being in control of your actions and choices.
Every day we face moments of transition—change from one state or condition to another. Some transitions occur daily, like the mental shift between work and home mode, or the energy shift that blows in when the kids get home from school. And others endure over time, as you face a new year, a new job, or a new phase in life.
When navigating change, it’s helpful to be mindful of your feelings and accept the myriad of emotions that may arise during these times. You may feel sadness or disappointment that things aren’t going as expected, or a sense of anxiety about the uncertainty that lies ahead. You may feel relieved that this day/project/phase is behind you, or hopeful for a new beginning.
Fortunately, scientific research is at the root of a variety of practices that can help you move through transitions with greater ease. A good place to start is by recognizing that life is not about reaching the top of the mountain, but rather about the climb itself.
Here are seven strategies to prepare for any climb—or change.
1. Use Agency
While it may sometimes feel as if life is happening to us, we do have control over the choices and actions we make in response—this is agency. Of course, the arrival of a global pandemic or the loss of a loved one are not in our control. But the ways in which we respond are. So when you find yourself facing change or in the midst of a transition, ask yourself: What are the specific things I can do to make this day better? Are there people and resources I can turn to for help along the way? Thinking about and engaging directly with your choices will bring you a sense of agency and can initiate progress, even if it’s one small step at a time…
… keep reading the full & original article HERE