How to Handle Unexpected Life Changes
No matter who you are, at some stage of life, you'll get thrown a curve ball. Unfortunately, something will happen that you aren't prepared to deal with. Though you are confident in your ability to deal with anything, it is possible that you may be caught off-guard by an unexpected change in your life's journey.
These sudden challenges can feel overwhelming, but it helps to break the transition into manageable steps:
1. Take a deep breath. Let yourself breathe for a few moments. You can't do anything useful in a state of panic.
2. Process the information. Take some time to think about what has happened. Depending on your circumstances, this may take several days. What happened from your point of view?
3. Talk about it. You should call a close friend or family member whom you trust and inform them about what has happened. When faced with a long-term problem, it can be beneficial to hear your own thoughts aloud to yourself.
4. Consider your options. Make a list of how you can change the situation. There are many different avenues to solve an issue or steps you can begin to take to help you in times of transition.
If your circumstance includes the breakup of a partnership, for instance, you may need to find a new home to reside in as soon as possible. Could you maybe consider temporarily moving with a family member or friend? It may seem obvious, but often we get stuck on the most obvious options, or the actions that other people are pressuring us to take. Ask yourself what all of your current options are and what you can do to enjoy the benefits.
5. Take time to adjust. Even though you may feel pressured to make choices quickly to move forward, it is important to give yourself the time you need to adapt to what is happening around you.
6. Tell yourself that you'll make it through. The moment you realize that "this too shall pass" will eventually come after the first shock has worn off. Handling any difficult situation with a good attitude is the most effective method of dealing with it. Assure yourself that you have the knowledge and fortitude to make your way through the rest of the day.
7. Begin to formulate a plan. After a bit of thought, you'll be able to see the beginnings of a new plan for your life coming into place around you.
Recognize your own personal assets. Consider a moment when you battled through difficulty and came out stronger than you had been before. Perhaps you were forced to drop out of college due to a lack of financial resources. Yet, you were still able to make it through and return to complete your studies within two years. Recognize your own inner power to assist you in navigating the current situation.