Surviving Change

In light of a ton of new changes occurring in my present life (moving again, working new jobs, making new friends), I figured now would be a good time to let you know how I have been coping with some of the changes that are sometimes just a little out of my comfort zone.

I think the best, if not the most important thing to do prior to any significant change in your life is to not over think anything. The problems we face as human beings are the anticipations we have for the future. We want instant gratification, but we can't get that by thinking about what will happen next week. So instead, we devote too much time anxiously anticipating what's to come. What happens will happen whether you like it or not, the best thing to do is not let it affect your present being. I mean this time last year you were probably worrying about what you were doing now, right? You my friend are doing A-ok, same goes with your distant and not so distant futures.

I know this is going to sound a bit sucky, but you have to be sure to set your bar low, especially when you're at your most anxious points. By lowering your expectations, you make room for better outcomes. If you didn't expect something extravagantly wonderful in the first place, every little thing that happens is going to seem like gold to you. I like to do this for everything, from simple nights out to the club or long journeys around the country. You'll be doing yourself and the people you are with a favor because it is much easier to go with the flow rather than being disappointed when something that you wanted to happen, didn't.

It is critical at the point of any change to be flexible. Now when I say flexible, I mean it. You need to be open-minded and ready for anything or anybody you might run into. If you're moving into a new place, perhaps it isn't as nice as it was when you first looked at it, or maybe your roommates have some weird tendencies that you hadn't known prior. This is what is going to make or break you because when you are ready to release some of your stubbornness to accommodate a new lifestyle, you're going to have so much more fun.

Now I'm going to slightly contradict myself; even while you are becoming a new open-minded, flexible individual, you need to stand your ground when you need to. If that means telling your roommates they need to quiet down at four in the morning or to clean up after themselves, that's what you need to do. There is a fine line between being free, but also maintaining your own standards by not letting people walk all over you. Adapt to a new way of doing things, yes. Completely feel uncomfortable and unhappy, absolutely not.

Whenever change starts to happen and you are a bit worried, remind yourself that NOTHING is permanent, in fact everything changes so fast, I'm starting to think that my life will forever be a constant roller coaster of change. Enjoy what you have now, even the shitty stuff because those are the moments that provide you with stories for future wine and cheese parties, and the advice points you will give to your children. Embrace what you are doing and be proud of your confidence as you go running full force at these changes with your chin up and mind open.

Be you, be the best you.

---Oh, and never forget to take a bunch of pictures. Those are always nice. :)