Change is Uncomfortable

Here are some suggestions to make it easier

Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change” -Albert Einstein

Change is stressful. You are right up against all the fears that kept you in the same place for so long. To move out of your comfort zone you have to do something you are not accustomed to and your mind and body will throw a fit to keep you in that familiar place. You know how to do your life the way you have been but have no idea what is on the other side of all the changes you are making.

Will this change lead to epic failure? Will it be a success? You won’t know until you get to the other side.

Here are some things I have done to help get through the discomfort of a major life change and come out on the other side with my sanity intact.

1. Cry, scream, rant about what is making you uncomfortable, and blow off the stress that stepping out of your comfort zone causes. You will often look back a few hours or days later and wonder why you flipped out and laugh at yourself. Which leads to …
2. Keep your sense of humor. Do your best to find joy in life every day no matter how crazy things get. If you can’t laugh at least manage a smile. Some of my favorite things that make me laugh are the antics of small children, puppies, or kittens, the natural world around me, a silly joke, good memories.
3. Find your tribe. Find someone who has gone through something similar to what you are doing and see if they will be your cheerleader or a shoulder to cry on. They have been there and just knowing they survived will be proof to you that you will make it too.
4. Reach out to others who are going through the same thing you are right now. They are in the trenches with you and experiencing the hardships you are. They will be able to sympathize and encourage you like no one else can. I think this is why we make some of our best friends during college, or other intense growth periods of life.
5. Simplify your life as much as possible so you can stay focused on growth and reduce stress. This is only for a season and you can pick up anything you want after life calms down again.
6. Self-care. Try to make time to rest and do something for yourself. I think self-care is more important during stressful and busy times.
7. Music. Make a playlist that fits the theme of what you are doing. When I left my abuser I made a playlist of songs to inspire me to stand strong and keep moving towards freedom.

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” -Leo Tolstoy

Change is exciting. It feels like you’re making years' worth of progress in a short period of time. You will one day look back in awe at all you have accomplished and will be amazed that you could do so much in such a short amount of time.

You are amazing and you’ve got this! Just keep stepping into that fear and change and see what happens. I’m proud of you!