1. Acknowledge The Discomfort
First, acknowledge the discomfort. Change often brings anxiety, fear, worry, frustration, or grief for what was. It’s okay to feel a sense of loss, unsettled or even resistant. Suppressing those emotions doesn’t make them disappear—allow yourself to process them instead. Simply put, processing is exploring and expressing. You could try journaling, talking to someone, creating a visual representation of your inner world, or taking a few moments each day for the next week to notice, name, and accept how you feel in a given moment without trying to change or escape it (or, as psychologists like to say, “sit with your feelings”).
2. Ground Yourself
Next, ground yourself in what has not changed or what remains constant. When things around you feel uncertain, focus on the things that anchor you. This might be daily routines, loving relationships, core personal values, the daily friendly smile from a colleague, your morning coffee, or the warm welcome home from a child or furry companion. When life changes, staying grounded matters even more.
3. Remain Flexible
Flexibility is key. The more you resist change, the harder it feels. Instead of clinging to the past or fearing the unknown, try to think of the situation differently: What opportunities exist in this new reality? How can I grow through this? Why is this change important for me to go through? What’s one thing I can do to make this transition easier for myself? Change can feel like a setback, but it also creates circumstances in which you are forced to stretch your skills and
abilities, which often leads to unexpected personal and professional growth.
4. Be Patient
Finally, remember that resilience isn’t built overnight or alone. Stay connected to those who support you and lean into learning—new skills, new perspectives, and new ways of navigating challenges. And most importantly, remind yourself:
“I’ve adapted before, and I can do it again.”
Registered Psychologist Fa-eeza’s Tips To Coping With Change
Let Go of the Fight:
Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths in and out, and visualize yourself carrying a very heavy weight, feel the heaviness weighing you down. Now, see yourself setting down that heavy weight and say:
“I don’t have to carry this, but I can accept that it’s here”
Grounding:
When you find yourself spiralling into anxiety or fear, find
something in the room that has not changed in a long time. And start describing it to yourself in full detail.
Practice “Both / And” Thinking:
Replace rigid thoughts (e.g., “This is too hard”) with balanced ones (e.g., “This is hard and I can adapt”).
Fa-eeza Kasmed
You can find more about Fa-eeza here or book an appointment with her at our South Perth by clicking here.
