Adapting to Change

For most of human history, people did not believe that the world changed very much or, for that matter, that change could ever be positive. The same stories were told again and again, time was understood to turn like a wheel rather than move like an arrow, technology hardly advanced, trades were handed down from generation to generation and the social order appeared immutable.

We, by contrast, are taught to regard widespread and frequent change as inescapable – and a profound advantage. We measure our virtue by our openness to continuous revolution.

Change is hard for many people to accept. However, it's worth keeping in mind that part of growing as a person requires you to accept that life is constantly changing. We might lose our jobs, lose loved ones, have to relocate unexpectedly, or have other life changing things happen to us, but these changes are just part of life.

We might not like how society is changing or how our community is changing, but we need to be able to cope with these changes in a positive way. Luckily, there are many ways to view change, to adjust, and to ultimately accept it.

I will discuss a few below.

       1. Accept that change is inevitable, people now understand more than ever that change is the only constant. Approach change as a process and be ready to move at your own pace. 

2. Define change: What is Change for you? What emotions does it bring up? is it dread? Fear? Start journaling and writing about your emotions of what was lost or whatever change is impacting you. Sometimes we can get to the root when we can see it in front of us. 

3. Change your Perspective: You can think of change as being medicine, which tastes gross but has a good result. As much as change can be painful, it also makes you grow. Be on the lookout for good changes, and become more open to the unexpected gems that await you. What is your new perspective to change? Some say it makes us stronger. The strength you build up now will help in the future. No one can live in a box in life, and you can't be protected from everything. It's like those mothers who never let their kids go out or play because they fear they will get hurt or catch some germ. Eventually, those kids who were sheltered can't adapt to change because they never experienced it. Because they were never exposed to socialization, they can't cope with life. Those of us who experienced life, challenges and change can handle it much better. 

4. Find Support: You can really learn from other people on how they survived change and transition. Admitting that we need help is hard, but you will be surprised how positive people respond. Your support might be faith, letting go to a greater power...

      5. Live in the present: A lot of us cannot accept change because it was not up to our expectations. We have past experiences, future hopes and dreams, and getting attached to them hinder our acceptance of what is happening especially if it is different to what we had engrained in our mind. Live in the present, control your thoughts when they Constantly jump forward and backward in time. You will have peace and acceptance towards change if you allow yourself to embrace the present moment.