Change…

Growth and comfort do not coexist- Ginni Rometty

As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, I’m reminded of the inevitability of change. Whether it’s shifting careers, relocating to a new city, ending or beginning relationships, or altering our behavioral patterns, change can be daunting. It often brings a sense of loss for the familiar, which can lead to stress and anxiety, making the process feel overwhelming. I’m reminded of when I first started at Associates Counselling Services; I was nervous, anxious, and a bit sad that I wasn’t in my familiar environment. In the beginning, I had to navigate a new setting with new faces and new concerns to help people work through, and it also meant a decrease in hours at my old job. As a result, that familiar environment felt different. However, as the months went on, and with lots of healthy self-talk, I settled into the new routine and felt more comfortable with the change.

Since change is a constant in our lives, it’s essential to equip ourselves with strategies to manage our anxiety and fear. Rather than seeking to eliminate these feelings, we can learn to move forward in spite of them—embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth, as Ginny Rometty beautifully suggests.

To help navigate change effectively, consider the following strategies:

• Calm Your Body: Engage in movement and stretching to help release built-up tension.

• Focus on Facts: Challenge the negative narratives your mind creates by grounding yourself in the present moment. Ask yourself, what do I know to be true? Acknowledging and validating your emotions can also be helpful; they are a normal reaction to the situation.

• Connect with Support: Lean on your support system for encouragement and perspective. Asking questions can also help fill in the gaps of the unknown.

Change isn’t a bad thing. By leaning into the discomfort, we teach ourselves that we are capable of navigating temporary moments of difficulty. How do you cope with change?