Written by: Yiasemina Ioannidou, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Change is an inevitable part of life, yet it remains one of the most challenging processes to navigate through. Once we learn how to do certain things, how to be, how to process, and how to understand the outer world as well as our own, having to 'Change' a protocol brings a sense of discomfort, a mental inconvenience if you like. The level and intensity of this "pain" will vary and depend on many variables, one being the meaning we'll apply to it. There are several ways of understanding change itself. There's 'natural change,' 'intentional change' and there's a change that's 'consequentially forced.'
This article aims to support anyone dealing with change, transformative in nature, which is either intentional or unintentional. Examples include the changes brought about by divorce, the loss of a loved one, embracing a new identity, and changing career paths.
Navigating through any kind of life-changing change can be a daunting task. However, it doesn't have to be that way, at least not all the way. In this article, I am sharing a simplified version of my five-point 'change navigation' system. I hope you find this useful.
The Five-Point System
Step One: The Start & The End
Establish your starting point and clearly define the target. This is perhaps the most crucial step. Knowing where you're starting from and where you're going is of paramount importance. Don't assume you know. Spend time to reflect and plan your strategy. Be honest with yourself. Where are you today? Refrain from judging; yourself, someone else, or the situation. We just need the facts so that we have something to work on.
Step Two: Prepare Fuel
Identify and compile your reasons for wanting or having to engage in a process of change. What got you there? These reasons are "fuel ingredients," and you'll need them. Another super important fuel ingredient is how you perceive the destination and the positive meaning you'll attach to this. Everything begins and ends in the mind. Use this to your advantage. Actively visualize how life will be different when life moves toward the direction you now want it to go. What kind of pain will you be moving away from, if any? What kind of life, feelings, and situations will you be moving toward instead?
Step Three: Open the Treasure Box
Visit the past. Yes, that's right. Go back and fish for knowledge, skills, and tools that you can use today that helped you in the past. Dig deep. These treasures you can also borrow from stories other people shared with you or stories you've read, watched, or heard. What have you endured in life? How did you do it? Write everything down. These are tools you can use.
During this exploration, exercise caution and discipline; you are not visiting the past to scratch old wounds. If you feel that you need to revisit past traumas or times of hurt, talking to a registered psychologist may be a good idea. This exercise is meant to help you step up, not down. Do keep this in mind. This step aims to help you equip yourself with relevant past knowledge, wisdom, tools, coping strategies, and other resources that can support your journey through a challenging transition.
Step Four: Meet your Needs
Any process of change will have some taxing effects on the body and mind. Therefore, it is extremely important to prioritize self-care and make sure to meet your basic needs as and when needed. The key here is meeting your needs without adding additional (unnecessary for the time being) 'exercises'. Do the body and mind need to go on a strict sleep and diet routine? Is this a good time for new habit formation? If it is, do what you need to do. But if it is not, focus on simple, comforting, and self-soothing activities. Simple activities like having a warm cup of tea in silence, going for a walk in the park, and talking to a friend, can do wonders. Focus on meeting your needs compassionately and with no judgment.
Step Five: Sparks & Fireworks
Make a list of positive affirmations ‒ things you can say to yourself that you know, deep down, are true. A good example might be, "I've gone through difficult times before and emerged victorious; I can do it again." Positive self-talk and self-empowerment can help you persevere even when things get tough. The key here is to believe the affirmations you formed and the way to ensure this is to back them up with undisputed evidence (explore to identify such evidence during Step Three). Our minds are programmed to think negatively to ensure we don't take risks that could potentially harm us. It's part of how we stay alive. As great as this may sound, 'evolution' can no longer keep up with how the world is changing and the world is changing so fast, overwhelming us and our development. Since the brain's judgment has been somewhat compromised, we must help update it as and when required. This is why using evidence-based positive affirmations is crucial.
Establishing a plan, resources, and tools can provide a sense of control; looking after your physical and emotional needs can help alleviate collateral impact; and evidence-based self-empowerment can be a good way to disarm negative or disempowering thoughts (including other people's unhelpful suggestions).
A Final Note
Managing change, regardless of its nature, can present significant challenges, discomfort, and on occasion emotional pain. Change is an inescapable aspect of life. Therefore, developing effective coping strategies, building resilience, and learning to practice self-compassion are fundamental keys to safeguarding our subjective well-being.
Are you currently going through a transformational or transitional period and would like to explore ways to work through this? You can reach out to me here or book an informal consultation with me here.
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Yiasemina Ioannidou, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Yiasemina is a coaching psychologist, personal performance and executive coach, a mental health advocate and a leader in stress management. As such her coaching work has been heavily influenced by her psychology background and professional experience. Working in the NHS as a therapist for several years, she discovered her passion in helping others prevent rather than treat mental illness through promoting clarity, self-development, and person-centered problem-solving skills. Yiasemina is the Founder of Mind Temple Coaching™, a service she designed to promote subjective well-being and enhance personal development. Her mission: To help others realise and actualise their true potential.
