The Art of Transition: Embracing Change and Keeping Your Peace

By Kristen D’Amico

As another memorable summer comes to a close, we face the reality that a change of seasons is once again upon us, and with it perhaps a change in routine, schedules, or daily activities. You may be saying goodbye to your beach sunsets and pulling out your cardigans, or packing up your sand pails and filling your school bags. No matter your season of life, change comes for all of us from time to time. It is a constant in life – one of the things you can always count on.

From big changes like a move, a career shift, a new relationship, or a sudden loss, to small changes like back-to-school, a change in routine, or a new diet, your central nervous system reacts. Your brain, an important part of your central nervous system, thrives when you know what to expect. Because of this, we all have a tendency to seek predictability and control. When change happens and you are no longer operating in what has been your typical, predictable way, your central nervous system perceives this as stress and your fight-or-flight response is triggered. You can feel nervous, edgy, or irritable, even in the face of positive changes. This reaction to change is entirely normal, and recognizing what you’re feeling and why you’re feeling it is the first step to managing it.

While noticing that you’re experiencing stress from change is an important first step, you’ll need additional tools to help you cope. Strategies for managing change are essential components of your mental health toolkit, since change inevitably awaits around the corner. Adaptability, for example, is a skill you can strengthen with each transition by developing a growth mindset, which can be simply stated as “you grow through what you go through.” Try these tips the next time you find yourself “growing” through change:

Start with self-compassion. Show yourself love and kindness as you adapt. As much as you may want to feel “normal” throughout the change, the reality is that you might not, and that’s OK. There is no standard timeframe for adapting to change. Don’t judge your experience or force yourself to feel something that doesn’t come naturally. Remember, even positive change can trigger stress, so it’s OK if you’re not happy right away! Love yourself through it.

Focus on what you can control. Whenever you’re feeling stressed or anxious, focus on what you can control. This is especially important when facing change and you can’t rely on predictability and familiarity. Remember that even when stressed, you control your thoughts, which directly impact your feelings. You can also control how you choose to cope with stress by turning to healthier strategies like meditation, exercise, and journaling.

Lean into your support network. Connect with your loved ones and share what you’re experiencing. Ask for help when you need it.

Practice acceptance. Acceptance requires acknowledging what you’re experiencing without judgment. There’s no room for “should” in your thinking. Accept that you are in a state of change and that you will adapt, even if you’re not quite there yet.

Meet your basic needs. You need adequate sleep and nutrition to function, especially when facing stress. Prioritize your health by ensuring your most basic needs for eating and sleeping are met. This will give you the foundation you need to help you grow through change.

With these strategies, you’ll overcome the stress of change and develop the skills to better adapt and cope with change in the future.