Noticing when life changes
What changes are we faced with in life?
There are milestones and life transitions we will be familiar with. We might graduate from university, get married, have children, or retire. Some of these milestones will be a personal choice. And yet, even if we don’t make these specific choices, there will be other planned or unplanned changes in life which will affect us in different ways. We can experience the painful loss of a close family member, or we might have to respond to a sudden redundancy or to changes at work. It’s worth taking a moment to reflect on the topic of life events.
💡What are the biggest life transitions you have experienced so far?
What reactions can this cause in us?
It can be challenging to cope when life suddenly changes. Our feelings and thoughts might be all over the place. We might feel overwhelmed, sad, or angry. When faced with changes at work, worries about what these changes mean for us can keep us up at night. Changes to our schedule and routines can also take some getting used to . “What do I do with myself if I’m not at work?” You might understandably ask. It’s important to understand that these feelings and thoughts are normal and valid. It will take some time to adjust to the new normal and to figure out where to go from here. If you are going through a transition in your life, maybe this is a good opportunity to reflect on your reactions to this.
💡 What changes to your feelings, thoughts, and behaviours have you noticed?
How can we sit with these feelings?
When faced with change, it can be tempting to respond with activity right away. We might not want to think too hard about what we are going through. And yet, we need to make space for our feelings. We might need to listen to our body and slow down. By taking some time in a quiet and calm place to become attuned to your feelings, you are listening to what you need in this moment. Tuning into your body, you might notice feelings of tension, breathlessness, palpitations, or exhaustion. When you let yourself feel your emotions, you might notice anger, sadness, or anxious feelings. What is your body telling you? And what is the strongest emotion you are feeling right now? It can be helpful to label how you are feeling. How about taking a moment to tune into your feelings right now?
💡 Write down how you are feeling emotionally and physically.
In this blog series, we will be looking at different strategies to deal with change. For more support with navigating change, please get in touch.
