Preparing for Change

Change is coming. How do I know? Because it always is. Whether something happy or catastrophic, change is always around the corner, and it's up to us to be prepared for what that might mean. Here's how to be emotionally ready no matter what change the world throws our way.

Enjoy the Preparation

First of all, let’s all take a moment. Take a breath. Remember that things are manageable – as long as we take the time to manage them. Prepping for change can be very therapeutic: you're giving yourself a long runway to get things accomplished.

Embrace the Change Ahead of Time

Start exposing yourself to upcoming changes one small step at a time. For example, let’s say that you’re going on a long, multi-day hike. That means you're going from sleeping in the comfort of your own bed to sleeping in a tent. That can be a huge change, but one that you can ease into by practicing the set-up and tear-down of the tent, and sleeping in it a bit each night before you leave. If you wait until your first night in nature to test this, you risk sleeping poorly the whole trip, and not enjoying what could have been an exciting, world-expanding change.

Practice Makes Preparedness

If there's a change in your household on the horizon, prepare by acknowledging it to yourself and others. Talk about it. Start amending small behaviors and practicing new ones.

Oftentimes, change can sneak up on us because we ignore its presence. But when you speak about it aloud, you can learn how others are feeling about it – and put your heads together to create a plan. It's then when the normalization process can begin, and things can feel more manageable.

However, when an impending change is ignored, it can cause a sudden friction, wherein you're dealing with the change as it's happening.

Consider the Future

Mentally prepare for change by understanding that your new behavior might become the new normal. That means, beyond the initial change, there may be a need to adjust permanently. Don't take this as a reason to dwell, however! It simply means being mindful of the adjustments you're making, and integrating them into your (now developing) routine.

A common example is bringing a newborn baby home, which is one of the most intense changes that a household can undertake. While there are so many unknowns—and you can't, by definition, prepare for every unexpected event—there are just as many preparations designed to make the transition into parenthood smoother.

Remember: There's No Progress Without Change

Change on a global scale can be quite a scary prospect. With so much new information coming our way, the overwhelming feeling can take hold rather quickly. But, even in this instance, the same rules for change apply. Talk about your feelings, make plans with others, and get used to things one step at a time.

When you can express you fears and concerns with loved ones, you can develop a sense of comradery that helps with the feeling of isolation that can occur with massive change, both on a personal and worldwide level.