By Flickr user Phil Whitehouse (CC BY 2.0)

By Flickr user Phil Whitehouse (CC BY 2.0)

I don’t deal well with change much of the time. Not the big stuff, anyway. It helps quite a bit if I have some transition time to get used to the idea, though. If I’m ready for the change when it happens, it goes really smoothly. If it’s abrupt, if I didn’t see it coming, or if I can’t prepare for it, there is a difficult adjustment period afterward.

But when I do have the luxury of time to get ready for and used to a change, here are some things that help me.

  1. Start disassociating with the current thing. Begin the mourning process for the loss of the thing before it is over/gone/lost, and focus on its disadvantages. Start thinking that it’s no longer “mine”.
  2. Start mentally trying on the new thing for size. Get used to it being what my new normal is, before it happens. Look at its advantages and begin to get excited for them.
  3. Be prepared for the change. Do what needs to be done to be ready for it. Prioritize these new things, and rejoice in no longer dealing with the problems with the old.

This kind of thing works for moving, adjusting a schedule, losing a tradition, changing jobs, no longer having to deal with an item, etc. I don’t recommend trying it if you lose a loved one.

There are plenty of books out there that can help you handle change. Depending on your level of change, you may want to find one.