Coping With Change and Problems

Life is full of change. Some would say that it’s change that makes life.

If we follow this school of thought, we may come to understand that it’s necessary to have a healthy relationship with change in order to have a sound relationship with life.

How we adapt to change directly correlates with how we deal with life. Not all life changes are expected or even accepted. All, however, must be coped with on some level. It’s how we continue to live our lives the best way we can in a world full of uncertainty.

Unwelcome changes can have negative affects on us, especially if we devote a lot of energy to fighting them. Stress is one of the most common byproducts of change and it can compromise the functionality of your body, mind and soul.

But thankfully, there are ways in which we can make the best of change, even if a switch in gears isn’t what we want or are ready for. We can help ourselves accept change by identifying and implementing problem-solving skills in every area of our lives.

When change presents itself in your life in any way, consider applying the following problem-solving skills to the situation. You’re likely to breathe easier and be more productive once you learn how to spend energy coping with the reality of change rather than opposing it or trying to return to the previous status quo.

• Admit that a change has taken place. This is a first, crucial step in coping. Accept what you can’t alter. Don’t let denial or nostalgia hold you back from building a healthy relationship between you and the outside world.

• Assess how your situation is different than before. Identify exact details. If the change has come in the form of a problem that needs to be “solved”, looking for specific alterations can mean the difference between a long-drawn out problem and a quick resolution. Get to the root of the matter.

• Recognize causes. Change is the result of shifting factors. Inspect what caused the change and how. Determine if the causes are out of your hands or if they can be modified to fit your preferences for the future. Get them to work for you.

• Identify the positive factors. Any type of change is bound to have its own set of pros and cons. If you concentrate on the positive aspects of change, you keep yourself focused, grounded and much better equipped to handle the new situation laid out before you.

• Look at the whole situation. Life is a big puzzle. Take a step back to get a better view of the big picture. Allowing yourself to look at your situation objectively can not only give you perspective, but hope for the future. It can also let you take inventory and give you clues to where voluntary changes need to be made.

• Formulate the appropriate response. Some things you just can’t change, regardless of how hard you try. If your situation is like this, learn from any mistakes you may have made that contributed to an unwanted change. If you consider change like this to be a learning experience, you can’t possibly lose. For changes or problems that can be altered or solved, build strategies that can put you in a new, improved condition. Don’t allow yourself to be satisfied with going back to the way things were- remember that undesired changes came out of that initial situation. Make your goal to find a reality that puts you on a path where you are content with the present and hopeful about the future.

When attempting to cope with change and problems in your life, it’s important to understand that’s there’s no one-size-fits all solution to every problem. Specific situations and circumstances differ for everyone. However, when looking for answers, it’s a good idea to follow the principle of Occam’s razor- the easiest solution is probably the best. Solve what you can armed with practicality and consider convoluted problems an invitation to express your creativity and prove your adaptability to everyone, including yourself.

–
Photo by Pardesi*