It’s Time for a Change

Happy New Year!  Wow, it’s 2018.  It’s seems like this past year has just flown by for me.   A lot has happened in the past year and I’m looking forward to this next year.  As I move into 2018, it’s time for a few changes in my life.

These life changes are exciting but just a bit scary at the same time.  I know I want to make these small changes, but at the same time I’m not quite sure how they will turn out.  Thus, just a bit scary.  It’s a good scary that is bringing some excitement to my life.  My kids are both out of the house most of the time  and I’m ready to begin moving in a new direction.  It’s my time and I’m ready for the next step in my life.

As much as I’m looking forward to these changes in my life, they are still change.  When life is changing, it can be a rocky time.  I’ve gotten used to my life as it was already.  I knew what to expect.  I knew what I needed to do.  I knew my schedule.  I knew what I would get out of my efforts. When I make a change, I alter the formula that is my life.  Now, I’m not quite sure what to expect from my efforts.  I’m not sure what my schedule will be or what I will need to do in order to achieve the results that I want.

As I begin to implement the changes, I’ll figure out my new schedule and what I need to do.  There will be bumps on the road as I move forward.  I’m sure I’ll get frustrated when something doesn’t work out right away.  On the flip side, when I have a success, I’ll celebrate it.  There will be ups and downs but soon my life will assume a new ‘normal’.

As I think about the changes that are occurring in my life, I notice a bit of a pattern in how I adapt to change.

I know sometimes I resist change.  I’m comfortable where I am in life and I don’t want to alter anything.  When this happens, change is not my friend.  I don’t want it and my attitude of resistance gets in the way of my adjusting to what is different for me now.  Because of this resistance it takes me longer to settle in to a new routine.  It also is harder to move forward with my life.  Just going about my day is harder.  Nothing seems to work right for me at these times.

In contrast, sometimes I don’t resist change.  I actually actively pursue it.  When this happens, then my attitude toward the change is completely different.

This time, I’m not resisting change.  Rather, I’m initiating it.  I’m the one who started these changes and I’m the one who will implement them.  I think it is helping me go into this change with a sense of curiosity and excitement.  I’m looking forward to what will come of these small changes and I’m ready to explore those inevitable ups and downs that will change me with them.

Have you noticed a pattern to how you deal with change in your life?  Do you always resist it or only sometimes like me?  Does it matter whether you initiate the change or whether someone  else does?  For me, it does seem to matter.  It’s interesting to notice these patterns in our life.  It’s only when you begin to notice these patterns that you can understand how you handle something like change.

Now, I don’t normally do big changes at the start of the calendar year.  They just happen when they happen.  It just worked out that way this year.  It does feel like a fresh start and I plan to enjoy this new direction, even if it doesn’t work out the way I expected.  I’ll watch how I handle the changes and I’ll learn a bit more about myself in the process.

If you want to learn more about yourself and how you make your way through change, then join me for my 8 week series called Navigating Change.  We start January 8th.  Check it out and email me with any questions.