Embracing Change

You have probably heard some variation on the quote, “The only thing you can count on in life is change.” Similar to the irony that a lot of us avoid thinking about death when, in the end, it is the only thing we’re guaranteed, resisting unwanted change is common, and that resistance makes transitions more difficult than they need to be.

The end of a relationship or a job can initiate massive change in our lives. Many people turn to alcohol or drugs to manage the painful symptoms of loss. However, unwelcome transitions can also be powerful catalysts for positive transformation. Recognizing that we need to find a new way forward can spur us to seek out support and open us to new ways of thinking and acting.  

Learning to embrace change takes practice, and starting with the little challenges that day-to-day life presents builds our capacity to accept what is, as it is. When we take a moment to note what situations and people trigger our anger, fear or sadness, we get clues about where we’re resisting. Choosing to breathe into our emotions rather than reacting in the moment or repressing what we don’t want to feel begins to free us from habitual patterns.   

Embracing change helps us to grow and to respond constructively to life in all its complexity, which is not easy. Working with a coach can provide support for thriving through the twists and turns of the journey.