There are few things that terrify people more than the unknown. We often thrive on the familiar, but it seldom leads to real growth or change in our lives.
If you want to see how hard change can be, just think about when you are in a hotel room while on vacation. At home, you can probably get ready for bed while thinking of a thousand things you want to do tomorrow. Your mind goes on autopilot as you grab your toothbrush, mouthwash, and whatever else you use in your bedtime routine. Your morning routine is probably just as easy.
But then you go to a hotel and have to spread your stuff out in their bathroom. Maybe they don't have much sink space, so your toothbrush is on a weird ledge too high up from normal. The shower doesn't get as hot as yours (or gets too hot), and you have to hang your towel away from you where it's inconvenient. There are a million little things that have to be adjusted when we venture into unfamiliar territory.
In life, it's often the same way. We get comfortable and familiar with our daily routines, our job, the people we deal with, and everything else. We settle in and are content.
And then change comes, either by choice or force. If we choose to make the change, it's not as overwhelming, but it can be hard to deal with when the choice is forced upon us.
Here are some positive things to remember about change:
1) This is a new opportunity with new potential for growth. Yes, the situation may be different and scary, but what if things go incredibly well? Have you gotten so comfortable that you've stagnated in your current place in life? What potential does this new situation present?
2) You have learned some valuable things you can bring to your new situation. I've spoken before about finding the value in life lessons. I am very big into believing that failures can be learning experiences. Don't let the change overwhelm you into thinking this is it and things will never get better. That's not true. Take stock of what valuable insight you gained in your previous situation. If it was a job, what could you take to the new job and build upon? If it was a relationship, what did you learn about yourself and others that you can use to build that next relationship?
3) You are getting to start fresh. The problem with familiarity often lies in the fact that many people never grow when they don't have to. With a fresh start, you get to redefine your role. You can, essentially, become a better version of you. If you were always late at your previous job, focus on being early. If you were always finding fault in others, focus on saying positive things as much as possible. The slate is wiped clean! Turn yourself into the person you always wanted to be!
And here's one not-so-positive truth: The time immediately following a major change might be scary and hard to navigate for a while. There will be a settling-in period for the new normal of your life. There will be things you might lose (status, possessions, relationships, etc) that could be difficult or impossible to replace. But eventually, you will begin to gain confidence in who you are becoming.
Let me leave you with two important questions:
1) Where will you be in 10 years if you don't make changes in your life?
2) What opportunities will you miss out on if you rest in the familiar?
Some people find change exciting, while others fear it, but change is inevitable. We may not always see it coming, but it does eventually. Be ready to embrace the opportunities it presents!
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