Seasons of Change
Fall is here! The temperatures are starting to drop and become chilly. The leaves are changing into beautiful yellows, oranges, and reds. Pumpkins and apples can be seen everywhere as the fall harvest comes in. For some the changing of the seasons brings excitement, but for others it brings sadness as we say goodbye to summer.
We humans are creatures of habit. We establish routines for getting ready in the morning, completing household tasks, exercising, etc. Our habits can be seen in a majority of the choices we make. If you watch people take a seat in class or church, you’ll find that people tend to sit in the same spot again and again. It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but when we have to change our habits or routine we are sometimes taken by surprise. Often people think to themselves, “Well what do I do now?”
Change can be difficult to adjust to. It can bring feelings of sadness, frustration, and uncertainty. It is an uncomfortable process that we often wish we could skip. How many times have you heard yourself say or think “I wish things could go back to the way they were”. Some people may think this after loved ones have moved away. Others may think this after relationships have ended. All forms of change require adjustments, but sometimes that process difficult and takes a longer time.
The reality is that change is a part of life. We can all expect different forms of change to happen in our life, whether they are welcome or not. It is important that we learn how to adjust with the changes instead of staying in the past. Change can actually be beneficial as it allows us to grow. If we resist change, we can grow bitter and prevent ourselves from growing.
One of the reminders I give my clients when they are in a season of change is to give themselves grace. The feelings of frustration and sadness that people can experience in these situations are valid and it is okay to let yourself feel those emotions. We also can’t expect ourselves to be comfortable with a new situation overnight. Healthy adjustments take time and that is completely normal. It is okay to have hard days in a new season of change.
My second reminder is to find ways to relax. Often, we get more stressed in new or uncertain situations. Setting aside time to relax helps keep stress at a manageable level. Everyone has different ways to relax, so it’s important to find one that works for you. It could be reading a book, spending time outside, baking cookies, exercising, etc. Whatever it is, it is important to spend at least 5-10 minutes a day doing something relaxing.
My last encouragement to clients in a season of change is to create a gratitude exercise. When things seem overwhelming bad and stressful, it can be helpful to think of reasons to still be grateful. Some days those reasons might seem very basic – “I made it through the day” or “I had food to eat” – but that is okay. Thinking of reasons to be grateful reminds us that good moments exist even in the difficult days. It can give hope and strength to keep persevering.
Change can be a difficult process, but it can also be a beautiful one. My hope for us all is that we take the time and give ourselves the grace to grow through the change.
-Kaitlyn Troxell, MA LLC
