Embracing Change

Here we are in the winter of 2022, halfway into the year and over two years into living with COVID-19.

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, "The only constant is change." As seasons change, so our bodies, minds, and surroundings are always changing and to say that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed the world, would be an understatement.

But, they also say “Change is as good as a holiday”. When it comes to the pandemic, the changes have been difficult. It has changed how we work, learn and interact as social distancing guidelines have led to a more virtual existence, both personally and professionally, but it has also brought positive changes. It has changed how people approach their health and lifestyle. People used the time to get healthier. From spending more time outdoors, to starting an exercise program, to improved sleep patterns, to better eating habits.

Change begins at the end of your comfort zone. It can offer new opportunities and embracing something different from your normal routine means that many positives can be achieved. The simple art of making a change has been proven to increase your wellbeing and make you genuinely happy which is the main reason why we all love holidays.

Embracing change is easier said than done, so here are a few tips to guide you in the right direction:

1. Remember that change is inevitable, normal, and necessary. Remind yourself of this as often as you need to. Sometimes just the acknowledgement of this offers us greater capacity to deal with everything that transition brings.

2. Claim your sphere of control. Assess the situation and determine which elements are within your control and which elements are not. This will help you to focus on what you can actually change instead of wasting time on what you have no control over.

3. Try to separate yourself from the experience. You are not defined simply by this one change; you are an entire being with various and extensive experiences. Life changes can impact you greatly, but you get to decide what each transition will mean for you and your life journey. It may be helpful to remind yourself that, in the greater scheme of things, this is simply one of many turns in the road.

4. Ensure that you maintain your selfcare routines and rituals to the best of your ability. When you are going through transitions in life, it can be very useful to rely on your regular self-care practices to help you feel grounded and supported throughout the change you are experiencing. Whether this is going for a long walk, meditating each morning, taking a relaxing bath, or practising some yoga, it is important to stick to the self-care routines that work for you.

5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. There is no glory in suffering in silence, so don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family and other support systems if you need a little extra love and care during this time of transition.

6. Celebrate your growth! Through each and every change, you are making progress and growing into an even better version of yourself; find a way to honour this growth. Without change we wouldn’t get very far in life; we would be stagnant, bored, and uninspired. Change is an important and necessary part of life, so embrace change in order to experience the joy of life. Stop looking back, focus on where you’re headed and know where you’re going. Keep getting up and keep walking. To progress is to move forward. Make the choice to rise up when you fall, dust yourself off and keep going.

Written by Marijke Scrooby and Tayla Mouton

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