The Back to School Blues: How to Embrace Change
Summer is winding down, and school is back in session. For many, this season signifies change and let’s face it, change can be scary. Change can suggest instability, the unknown, and unpredictability. However, it is said that change is the only constant, so shouldn’t we be used to it by now? Not necessarily.
I invite you to pause in this moment. Put your hand on your heart and close your eyes. Take 3 deep breaths.
Release the tension you’ve been holding in all day.
Inhale grace. Exhale criticism. [Breath 1]
Inhale curiosity. Exhale rigidity. [Breath 2]
Inhale peace. Exhale control. [Breath 3]
Look back over your life and recall how much you have overcome. This year, this month, this week, and even today! You walked through so much already. But the critical point here is that you walked. I know we want to rush past uncomfortably and “get it over with,” but life was not set up that way. We have to walk and endure a lot.
So find your pace of grace. The pace that allows you to fall, take a breather, and get back up. A pace that allows you to grow and learn from pain. Again, I know we want to rush the process, but if you run past this season, you will not understand the lesson of here and now that will prepare you for there. We risk falling harder and falling perpetually if we do not slow down enough to find the gifts in this here and now.
On the other hand, walking allows you to enjoy the sweeter moments. If you are constantly running, how would you have learned to slow do for the sweet moments? How would you be able to recognize them? This is the crucial need for the pace of grace. So I’ll to leave you with this
Four Tips for Enduring Change:
Feel the Feels
- Change is not always going to look pretty or feel nice. You do a disservice to yourself in trying to convince yourself otherwise about how you feel about the moment. Feel your feelings. Express the frustration. Express the disappointment. Express that you feel anxious about it. Then, we can move forward with coping and hopefully thriving during this challenging time.
Roll with the Punches
- Change does not have to be something that is done to you but instead done for you. This pivot in perspective will be everything. When facing change, ask yourself: “How can I make the most out of this situation?” Remember, this is not the end, and you are a remarkably resilient person. You don’t have to go through this like season precisely like the last time but do get through it. Carve a new pathway to embracing change. This step may be tougher. Reach out to a friend, mentor, or therapist—where I can come in—to help you gain perspective and take back ownership of your journey.
Create a Bounce Back Routine
- After you have felt the feelings, take a step back and zoom out. How can you improve and grow with change? Let this moment be a pivotal one. Leverage it so you can look back and say, I made the best out of this situation. If you aren’t feeling a “bounce back,” okay! Make it a slow spring. Whatever the analogy, make it an intentional plan. Are you going to begin journaling? Are you going to start mediation? Are you going to start asking for help? Are you going to practice boundaries? Are you going to begin conscious spending? What is your plan? Write it out and make it plain.
Approach with Grace
- Remember, this is new territory. Release expectations of yourself. There is no perfect or right way to approach change. What you can do is make sure that you are intentional with yourself and others. Lead with love and kindness in all you do for yourself and others. Leave a margin for error for yourself and others. Are you catching the theme here?
I hope this post resonated with you, and if you need a personalized plan to help you implement these steps, call us at 470-854-2944 or book a session today!
