Transitions - Constant Change
ad·just·ment
əˈjəstmənt/
noun
a small alteration or movement made to achieve a desired fit, appearance, or result.
"I've made a few adjustments to my diet"
synonyms:adaptation, accommodation, acclimatization, acclimation, habituation, acculturation, naturalization, assimilation
the process of adapting or becoming used to a new situation.
"for many couples there may need to be a period of adjustment"
One of the things I say all the time to clients, family, friends, myself - is that the only thing constant is change. What does this mean for us as people, humans attempting to navigate a world that can be cruel and unfeeling? This means we are constantly adjusting and adapting to change, small changes, big changes, entire life changes. All of these changes require adjustment. From changing your schedule to meet the demands of a new job or a new baby to adjusting to a new environment if you've moved.
I recently relocated from Ohio to Colorado. To say that this required adjustment is an understatement. We had to adjust to an entirely new environment - moving from sea level to high altitude. While adjusting to a new environment we had to adjust to new laws, new homes, being recently empty nesters, new jobs...everything was new. It was exciting! I had longed to return to Colorado for years, but it was also very difficult. Even as a therapist, I had to keep reminding myself that even good change requires adjustment. Even happy times cause stress and change.
One of the best ways to adjust to change is to acknowledge it. I found myself having to take a breath and remind myself that this is temporary. Not being able to walk up stairs without gasping - temporary. Watching my bank account dwindle due to moving expenses - temporary.
The next step to adjusting to change is to focus on the positives. This can be difficult when the change isn't a positive change. It is challenging to find positives in negative changes. New rules at work that cause you to feel like you need to come in early just to face the day can be stress inducing and create resentment and negative attitudes towards a job that you previously enjoyed. However you may find that coming in early lets you avoid traffic. Being prepared and organized when you start the day creates less stress during the day. Even negative experiences can create positive aspects.
Finally, if you find yourself struggling to adjust, consider reaching out to a therapist. Having someone to talk to and help you discover positive aspects of change or help you navigate the adjustment process can do wonders to alleviate stress and help you through the adjustment. Not everyone needs therapy, but I can support the idea that everyone at some time or another could benefit from therapy in their life. It doesn't have to be permanent, solution-focused brief therapy can be life changing. One of the best aspects of SF - BT is that it is meant to be brief. It is not designed to address long standing mental illness, it is designed specifically to assist individuals, couples, and families in adjusting, goal setting, and finding solutions to a specific problem or goal. If you find yourself struggling with an adjustment in your life, consider locating a therapist to assist you with these adjustments.
