How to Deal with Changes that Are Out of Your Control

We often encounter changes beyond our control, making us feel helpless and vulnerable. Such life changes often make us resist and deny the things happening around us. While it is natural to feel that way, constantly dwelling on what has already happened will not allow us to move forward. For example, you learned that you are suffering from a serious disease, or your job responsibilities have changed. Learning how to deal with changes is often difficult because we need to get out of our comfort zones and face uncertainty. Even though it is constant and inevitable, change can disrupt our lives and requires significant effort and energy.

Change Can Be an Opportunity to Learn and Grow  

Change, you know, often takes you to those vulnerable places you do not wish to go. If it makes you uncomfortable, you must ask if something needs to be developed to help us adjust to such changes. For example, learning how to seek help or regulate our emotions. Hence change must be seen as an opportunity to learn something new. It can empower you to pursue control over dealing with difficult times. Change is a natural part of life. And while some changes are within our control, others are not. How we deal with changes that are out of our control can often determine how successful we are in life. Here are some tips on how to deal with changes that are out of your control:

Allow Short Bursts of Change 

Changes in life or work can overwhelm us and give shock our systems. Therefore, instead of feeling it all at once, allow your brain and body to adjust to the change. You can introduce short bursts of change or discomfort to your system. It will not only make you accustomed to the eventual changes in your life but also strengthen you for future possibilities.  

Instead of Being Self-critical, Practice Self-compassion 

We often tend to feel responsible for any unwanted change in our lives. While it is important to acknowledge some accountability for what has happened, being self-critical will not help you. Instead of identifying our flaws, self-criticism often makes us beat ourselves for who we are. For example, self-criticism can make you feel you were not enough if you did not get the job you wanted.  

On the other hand, a self-compassionate response would be that you are not a good match for what the job is looking for. Practicing self-compassion can make it much easier for our body and mind to accept and move through the change.  

Try to Find the Meaning of Change 

We often find ourselves explaining the reason behind any unwanted change. We can either look at it from a negative or a positive angle to determine the meaning of this change. While a negative perspective may reinforce a lack of self-worth, a positive outlook can look at it as an opportunity to acquire a new skill.  

Accept that Fear is a Part of the Process 

Fear and other emotions like regret, anxiety, sadness, disappointment, and helplessness are part and parcel of the process. Once you accept them as a part of the change, your body can initiate the healing process.  

Read Also: 5 Reasons Why You Should Overcome the Fear of Change 

Try to See the Positive Aspects of Change 

Be it changes in life or at work, initially, one may feel a sense of disbelief as one cannot find anything positive in them. However, you need to be willing to see its positive aspects. For example, you may look for home-cooked meals after a health scare or try cooking them yourselves, saving a lot of money.  

Identify the Mistakes 

While you need to take some responsibility and be critical of yourself regarding any unwanted change, try to remain gentle and look for the positive part. For example, if you discover that your blood sugar is high, you need to accept that you neglected your body. But also make a resolution that you will eat a lot healthier from now on. Dealing with change becomes a lot better with this kind of attitude. 

Avoid Blaming and Regret  

One can easily blame another person or themselves in the face of unwanted change. You may also regret making some choices, but eventually, this will trap you in the vicious cycle of self-blame and self-criticism. Additionally, it can slow down your ability to accept your circumstances and move on. While blame does not allow us to accept our feelings and adjust to new changes, regret stops us from reaching any solution. Hence, try to avoid it during your healing process. 

Find Support     

The easiest way to know how to deal with changes is to connect with supportive and encouraging people. You may also take the help of professionals like therapists, spiritual leaders, or doctors apart from friends and family members. We often tend to underestimate the power of surrounding ourselves with caring people, but they make the process much more bearable.  

Knowing how to deal with change begins when you accept that change is inevitable. Be it changes at work or changes in life, they can be challenging, distressing, and exhausting. Therefore, in a world that is spiraling out of control, these nine tips can help you to deal with change.