Change? Who me?

Divorce. Loss of job. Moving in with parents. Death of a loved one. Starting a new career. Having a baby. The list goes on and on. Something is always changing in our lives whether good or bad. How do you handle it?

I shared in my last post about my divorce and all the changes that came with it. I had to sell my beautiful home that I had built from the ground up. I moved in with my parents. I had to learn to manage being a single person after being married for a long while. It was a very daunting task to say the least!

Even with its challenges, I've always loved change. To me it's a chance to start anew. To learn, accept a new challenge, and grow in an area I thought was stagnant. Many people find in hard to cope with the changes that rock their world and feel anxious or out of control.

I have news for you... change is an important part of life and we have to be willing to embrace it even in the most difficult moments. Here are some tips to help:

*Know that you are not alone. We all have to go through it at many points in our lives. Seek comfort and encouragement in your support circle.

*Accept the reality of your situation and learn healthy ways to cope. (Exercise, listen to music, draw/color, see a movie, go for a walk, visit the beach, journal your thoughts and feelings.)

*Be honest about your feelings. What is the root of your unwillingness to change? What are your fears?

*Embrace the change! Think about how the change can help you move forward in your life in a positive way. Even in the death of loved one, think about how you can honor that person's memory with how you continue to live your life.