Change

February 2016, the time of year in which disappointment can easily occur as four weeks have passed to work on your new years resolutions. Each year people all over the world make the choice to make resolutions for the next year, to inflict change among their lives. It can be a time filled of motivation and excitement. What this change can mean in both big and small ways. Is it the most common resolution of losing some weight and getting into shape? How with some dedication and lifestyle modifications you can increase your energy, health and maybe most importantly your self esteem? Sure, change when decided by you can be invigorating, but what happens when change happens due to other factors? Change, when it happens can be terrifying, especially if it wasn’t chosen by you to occur. Change cannot always be predicted, and sometimes the only thing we have control of is how we choose to respond to the change.

Change can range on the spectrum from simple to complex, from minimal to catastrophic. It can be a shift change at work, or finding out you are losing your job because of downsizing. It can be going to the doctor and expecting a clean bill of health and walking out with an unanticipated diagnosis. While these are very different situations, both can have great effects on the person attempting to cope with this change. It is normal to be thrown by a change in situation, especially when you are comfortable in a routine. Positive coping to change can make the biggest difference in the handling of a situation. Of course, this is easier said than done and there are many different stages one may go through to get to the point of accepting this new, unasked for change. One of the earlier stages of change is contemplation in which we understand there is a problem or a situation that needs to be ameliorated but there is no commitment to action-yet. Being in this phase is a perfect starting point for you have begun to realize the need for change.

There are many circumstances when change can occur, both planned and unplanned. The question that I want to ask is when do you decide to make a change on something you know needs to be adjusted? Do you need to wait for a new year to have enough push to finally take action? Change can occur at any time that you wish, it can be very uncomfortable and difficult to face but that is what you can receive help with. Whether it is a change inflicted by yourself or one that occurs outside of your control, support is available to work through these tribulations. At some point in our lives, we have all had to deal with change. While some change is more difficult than others, the skills we use to handle the simpler change can often be modified and applied. Take a moment to think about a change that has occurred in your life, take a moment to think about a change you are ready to make. If you are ready to make or process a change and would like to do so in a supporting, safe environment feel free to contact us.