How to embrace change effectively? 11 ways to embrace change

Whenever we talk about or think of any change, we often think about the negative aspects of it. Why not talk about the positive side of a change?

This is because we have never been taught to think about the positive or beneficial effects of being changed in our lives. It is so; we are so used to doing things in old ways. Our brains are wired to keep us away from change. However, if we observe that everything is evolving around us, whether it’s our environment, relationships, minds, bodies, etc., we still feel scared and terrible when change happens.

Why is change so hard?

We, as humans, are so rigid in our minds that we often blame ourselves for being resistant to change. We think that there is something wrong with us because we struggle with change. But the truth is, change can indeed be challenging for many of us, so our brains are naturally wired to seek stability and routine. Our brains ensure our safety and limit our energy. And change disturbs both.

Change is hard because it drains our energy, makes our brain work harder, and cajoles us back to doing things the old way. Going through a transition can feel frustrating, uncomfortable, tiring, or sad. Any change, whether it is at the level of the mind or body, can unsettle our brains.

But thankfully, our brains are capable of being changed or trained.

Let’s dive into this topic about why change is so difficult and discover a few ways to guide how to embrace change in our lives.

1. Focus on the benefits of change. We should train our brains to see that change can be good. We can do it by focusing on the benefits gained from change rather than the discomfort it brings to our lives.

    Here are a few examples:

            Learn something new.

            Expansion of our horizons

            Having new experiences

            Becoming more adaptable and flexible

2. Adopt a growing mindset. When viewing life with a growth mindset, changes are seen as major opportunities, not obstacles. Those with this mindset navigate change effectively.

3. Create a list of changes. Are you the one who is seeing that you are going through constant change? Do you feel it happening? My point is to let you realize that changes were always in our lives long before you became aware of them. Create a list of the changes that have taken place throughout your life.

    Here are a few examples:

Separating from parents to go to nursery class

Start going to school.

Making new friends

Moving from one place to another

4. Set clear goals. If you learn to set smart and achievable goals that are relevant to your life, embracing change will become a normal part of achieving those goals.

5. Gratitude. Gratitude is a simple practice that drives our minds towards greater positivity. Incorporating journaling into your daily life reflects positivity.

6. Listen to yourself. We feel scared when we try to embrace change in our lives. It is because we are scared of losing who we are. Even worse, it gets worse when we compare ourselves with others. To embrace change, we must understand that all the novelties we experience are uniquely ours.

7. Acknowledge change and the accompanying emotions. As you experience change, whether it brings frustration, stress, sadness, or anxiety, acknowledge the factors causing these feelings. Acknowledging the discomfort, let you consider what you can control and what you cannot.

8. Visualize the change in your mind. Visualizing the upcoming change can help your mind adapt and navigate.

9. Maintain routines and rituals. When a lot of changes come at once, it can be difficult. So, if possible, maintain some existing rituals or routines.

10. Celebrate small wins. Acknowledge and celebrate small wins throughout the transition.

11. Seek Support. Change can be more difficult if you go through it alone. Seeking support by talking to a friend, family member, or professional about what you are experiencing can be helpful.