Many students are heading back to school and there is an air of excitement as we head towards the autumn season. I notice the days are getting shorter and nights are getting cooler. While parents are excited to get their kids back in school, there is also the sadness of summer ending and the carefree days are now getting back to structured days. Transitions are hard and it’s how we adapt to transitions and change that can make the difference between being healthy and struggling.
Change is often difficult for us to adjust to. Humans thrive on predictability, structure, and routine. With change, there is an adjustment, a need to do things differently, and our regular routines can be disrupted. Anxiety often stems from the fear of change, the fear of the unknown, and the lack of being able to predict what will happen. In order to help with coping, we have to accept that change is a fact of life. We need to embrace change as an opportunity, a new path which provides new possibilities.
In order to make successful transitions, we can smooth the course in many instances by preparing for the change. So the week before school starts, children start going to bed earlier in anticipation of the earlier bedtimes for school. We can have the tools ready for whatever lies ahead whether it is a new baby, new job, or a new season. Buy new clothes, change the furniture, declutter. But most importantly, is working on our internal dialogue and inner voice. Affirmations help us to ‘fake it ’til we make it.” Research has shown how powerful our words are in changing our thoughts and behaviors. Saying words like “I can handle handle this.” “I will adjust to this change and it can lead to new pathways.” “As each door closes, another opens.” All of these will help to embrace change as a new opportunity rather than a disaster.
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new!” Socrates
- “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” – George Bernard Shaw
- “A lot of people resist transition and therefore never allow themselves to enjoy who they are. Embrace the change, no matter what it is; once you do, you can learn about the new world you’re in and take advantage of it.” – Nikki Giovanni
