|
|  |
 At the end of last month, I somehow lost my wallet. Besides the inconvenience of having to cancel debit cards, get a duplicate license, etc., I felt a bit uneasy, a bit untethered. I realized that this feeling was the result of being separated from my usual routines. Since I kept a lot of important stuff in that wallet, I found that I needed to change my regular procedures for banking, driving, etc.
This experience has given me some interesting insights to consider. When things change suddenly, we find unique ways to adapt. We learn new ways of doing things and we alter our regular patterns in sometimes unexpected ways. What happens when changes sneak up on us in life, in the workplace, in relationships? How do we maintain our equilibrium when things are shaken up and we need to find ways to cope? This month's Tune-Up tackles the unexpected change. How do we keep on a steady path when life throws a curveball? Here are some thoughts on the subject. |
| | |
How do you find your center when things are shaky?
All of us are at least a little averse to change, especially when it's unexpected. Most of us don't like surprises if they blindside us in a negative way. Although a lot of us enjoy variety in our daily activities, to some degree, most of us also feel comforted by our regular routines and it is unsettling when these routines are altered without any warning.
When you have gone through unwanted changes, what has helped you the most to feel grounded? Asking yourself this question and really taking the time to notice what helps can be a simple but powerful way to get through tough changes. Here are a few basic guidelines for living through unexpected change and keeping your sanity at the same time:
- First, think about what you have control over and what you don't. Agonizing, worrying, and fretting about things out of your control can bring things even more out of balance for you. Let these thoughts come and go and try to stay present with what you can do in the moment.
- Keep to your routines as much as you are able to given the circumstances. Our routines give us a sense of groundedness even amid turmoil. We should never have to apologize for keeping to our regular routines. Self-care routines, for example, are crucial during these times.
- Find allies and get support. Unexpected changes are hard to go though alone. Getting support can help us to make sense of transition times and to look ahead toward the future in a positive way.
- Clarify your values and point your "compass" in the direction of what's most important to you. Values are the principles we live by or the kind of person we want to be. We often don't have a roadmap for our actions when things are in upheaval. Being clear on our values helps us to know what direction to move in, even when things are shaky.
- Know that things will not be in a state of upheaval forever! Any change we go through is temporary, and although things may be somewhat transformed on the other side of it, we are strong enough to deal with new ways of life - and, things will be smooth again, eventually.
|
