Photo quote de jour

Here are my tips for the in between time.

7 Tips for Navigating Change: From Surviving to Thriving

1) Acknowledge the change. It’s happened. You are in transition. For now, what used to be normal, isn’t. You can’t plow forward at your normal pace or schedule without consequences.

2) Take a break or at least slow down. If you can, go on are treat or a quiet vacation. Spend time alone. Depending on your belief system,pray, meditate or reflect. If you can’t get away, take short drive into the country side or at least a walk in the park or place that is healing for you.Notice what you notice there. Be receptive to insights, new perspectives and ideas.

3) Cultivate your inner guru. You have the answers within you. Keep a notebook to chronicle the transition. It is a valuable resource to consult in future transitions. Make a list of your strengths, past accomplishments, what you learned from past transitions. You are wiser and stronger than you know. Note any patterns of behavior. What worked? What didn’t? What did you learn?

4) If you begin to spiral down into worry or negative thinking, write down the worst possible outcome and the best possible outcome. Seeing the possibilities in black and white helps put things into perspective. Chances are the middle ground is the most realistic possibility and not disaster. By putting your current transition into perspective from past transitions, you know you survived and you can map out new possibilities.

5) Be your own best friend. Give yourself the savvy advice you’d give a friend. Do something that gives you pleasure. Eat and drink healthy, drink little or no alcohol, get outside and breathe fresh air,exercise, have a relaxing bath, call a friend, get a massage, read a trashy book, eat a little chocolate. Nurture yourself with kindness.

6) Find the hidden jewel in every day. It could be the simple joy of a sunset, a good cup of coffee, a chuckle from a funny movie, the gratitude of having a warm bed to sleep in. There are hundreds of opportunities every day to discover, beauty, joy and gratitude.

7) Bolster your support system with family, friends, pets,community (online and real) and if that’s not enough, please consider professional help from a life coach or therapist.

Embrace change. The fallen trees in front of my house are still there. I could see them ugly or marring the view. Or, I could re-frame them as a rustic background for the new blooms. Guess what I chose?