A New Day, A New Beginning
Change is an inevitable part of life as is grief. Our relationship to change relates to our relationship to grief. The experience of change can be the loss of a job, moving to somewhere unknown, or the loss of important relationships in our lives. Like grief, Change can feel daunting or overwhelming.
On the other side of a career shift, you may be presented with the opportunities you’ve desired for many years. A level of fulfillment you have not achieved formerly. A move to a new city can entice new feelings of excitement and joy. The loss of important relationships can allow you to reflect on the fond memories held or what you may seek in new intimate relationships or friendships.
We Often Feel Grief When Change Occurs.
When we resist change we often resist grief. This leads us in sensations of feeling stuck or repeating old patterns. It prevents us from moving forward. But, personal transformation comes from acceptance. In embracing change we foster greater resilience within. Opening ourselves up to new experiences will push us out of our comfort zone which helps us develop skills we never thought we needed or had.
In this blog we will explore change when we start again. We will address how to navigate such transitions and we will note the positive impacts they can have on mental wellness and personal growth.
Why Starting Again Can Be Liberating
Starting again can be one of the most liberating experiences. It grants the freedom to leave behind what no longer serves us. From there we can create a life that is in alignment with our true selves and desires. This is a period where we can re-evaluate goals, set intentions, and find a renewed purpose in life.
A New Day, A New Beginning
Starting again, or even change, is not always drastic. It can be minor as an adjustment in our daily routine(s), learning a new skill, or adopting a new mindset. Viewing change as a disruption can be harmful to our willingness to welcome change. So the key becomes a subtle reframe of how we view change. It is minor shifts in how we speak of the change and curating a willingness to embrace what is unknown.
In each day we wake up to, we are offered the new beginning.
Navigating the New Beginning
Seeing everyday as a new beginning, we free ourselves from the past. We tune ourselves to focus on the present when no matter what happened yesterday, today becomes the opportunity to start again. Changing our view in this way opens our minds to a growth mindset.
This will aid us when the new beginning starts and the changes it brings feels intimidating. This unfamiliar territory allows for exploration of new possibilities. A journey that can be exciting and even more so if surrounded by supportive people.
We can help ourselves as well by setting realistic goals and easing ourselves by taking one step at a time. The aim will be to make the process of change and any grief that accompanies it, a more manageable and optimistic experience.
The Role of Mental Health in the New Beginning
Earlier mentioned was our ability to hold a growth mindset. Essential qualities of the growth mindset are flexibility and adaptability. The growth mindset has been a recent topic in mental health as it becomes a crucial component to our ability to endure change. This mental wellness equips us to handle the ebbs and flows, the ups and downs, jointed to change.
Putting a priority on our mental health during periods of change can offer clarity in the facing of change and any accompanying grief. We can cope with the stress by viewing a new beginning as a fresh start. It is a much-needed reset.
In this reset, remember to offer self-compassion, allow for rest as well as time for reflection, and prioritize self-care.
How Personal Growth Helps in Embracing Change
In personal growth, we challenge our beliefs. It cultivates the period of reflection referenced above. Self-reflection involves a commitment to learning. In this we will gain valuable insights into ourselves and our capabilities. Often which are greater than our previously held assumptions about ourselves.
Are you ready to challenge that comfort zone?
Feeling Comfortable with the Uncomfortable
Personal growth and change challenges our comfort zone. In starting again and taking in change we have to feel comfortable with what has previously been uncomfortable. I am hear to say it is only natural to feel uneasy in being faced in what unknowns change brings. We can come to grieve many aspects to our former lives and selves we once knew.
Growth happens outside of our comfort zones. Pushing that comfort zone in trying something new we discover inner strength and new abilities. It will take practice to accept the uncomfortable. Our practice will develop our trust within and allow our ability to handle any change that comes our way.
Practical Steps to Start Again in Life
Starting again can require a thoughtful and intentional approach. Here are some practical steps to be helpful in this process:
Reflect upon your values: It is assessing what truly matters to you and what will produce fulfillment in your life that will function as your foundation to your new beginning.
Set Clear and Realistic Goals: The often used model for this is the S.M.A.R.T goal. S.M.A.R.T goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time based. Well established goals function as a roadmap to your aspirations.
Develop a Plan: Developing this plan using your goals. It will draft an outline to the needed steps to take on this journey through change. It is okay if this plan needs to adjust throughout your process.
Seek Support: Grief was discussed briefly as sometimes a result of changes in our lives. Guiding support will help with encouragement as well as accountability as you grow.
Establish Self-care: Your well-being is the foundation in your life’s change and growth. Nourishing your mind, body, and spirit deserve priority.
Hold Hope: This new beginning deserves the recognition for the positives it can bring. You deserve to celebrate any progress you make even when it feels small. Holding hope will give the grace to recognize positive outcomes and celebrate you.
Embracing change and starting again can have challenges. It can be accompanied with grief. Often you may need to find positive outlooks and hold the ability to reframe your current situation. This is an incredible opportunity for your growth and transformation. In this process you can make a life in true reflection of the true you.
When you say “I’ll Start Again…”, you are acknowledging that a new day becomes your new beginning. It is the chance to start again and pursue the life you truly deserve.
