Dealing with Changes in Your Life

Entering a new phase like entering a new relationship or leaving a toxic one, career changes or moving across the country can be a scary change for anyone. While going through new phases in life does require self-awareness and self-care.

Here are 5 tips on dealing with a new phase in life.

#1 Talk to Someone Trustworthy

A friend, relative or therapist is a crucial relationship to have during times of changes. Being able to vent and ask for advice will be something that is needed the majority of the time, and a healthy coping mechanism when emotions run high.

#2 List the Good Things

More than likely there will be an emotional rollercoaster going on within yourself, which is normal. Make a habit of making a list of good things that happen throughout the day, small and large things like “took 15 minutes to drink a cup of coffee and listen to the birds sing.” “a friend went on a hike with me today.” “had a decent day at work.”

During times where everything seems too much, reflect back on these daily lists and try to remind yourself that there are good things happening in your life. You are growing and learning each and every day.

#3 Hobbies

A hard one, when you enter a new phase, is finding a hobby you truly enjoy. A new phase in life can feel like you are trying to get to know yourself once again and finding what makes you happy, take this time to try numerous activities to see what fits you just right.

#4 Declutter

Something that doesn’t get talked about much is the physical items around us. Having memories of the past can stop us from moving forward. There might be an old concert shirt laying around of a band you no longer really enjoy, or decor from when you first moved into your place that doesn’t fit your taste anymore.

#5 Grieve

Yes, a big tip of change is simply to grieve. You had lived a phase of life and were comfortable with it, now things are changing (sometimes faster than what we had planned) even if it was our choice for a new phase – it’s okay to grieve at what we are leaving behind. Without grieving the old life, sometimes we cannot rejoice of the new phase that is forming within ourselves.