If my life until now had a running theme, I bet you anything that it would be ‘change’. Growing up, I’ve always had to move to different cities and luckily for me, it all happened during very notable stages in my life. I got to experience these changes and I could clearly gauge the kind of impact they had on me.
I’m no stranger when it comes to change. New cities, starting over, making new friends, meeting new people, familiarizing myself with the city’s landmarks— I’ve done this more than a couple of times, and if anything, this has only made me highly adaptable to change. Like I said, it has now become second nature to me and the idea of change doesn’t really scare me anymore.
But how is any this related to self-care? Why is it that whenever you need to clear your head and move on from something, one of the first things that you’re told to do is get a haircut or get a ‘change of scenery’? How is making a change going to do anything at all?
Change can get you out of your comfort zone.
If there is anything that I’ve learnt from the numerous changes I’ve made for a healthy and happy lifestyle, it is that you’re not going to achieve anything when you’re sitting inside a cozy hamster ball. Sure, the world outside is cold, cruel, harsh, competitive and unpredictable. But the second you find yourself venturing out under those rough conditions, you’re going to notice so many things about yourself that you hadn’t before simply because you never knew you had it in you. Our brains might be wired to follow a safe routine that we are probably used to by now, but constantly pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, one step at a time, can open doors you never even dreamt of.
Change can prepare you for different situations.
Packing bags at a moment’s notice? No problem. Unpacking 5 minutes after you get home? Easy-peasy! Your backpack probably has things you’re not even sure you’ll need, but you have them anyway because you make sure that you’re always prepared. I know mine does. You don’t need to make a note of things you want to take along with you on a trip because your mental checklist has got you covered in all those areas. You know exactly what to do in different situations because you have experienced these changes before. Even if you haven’t, you know what to expect and that can come in very handy!
Change can get you a different perspective.
When people talk about going away for a while or making a dramatic change to their lifestyle just because they’re trying to move on, they aren’t joking around. Our outsides can reflect the way we feel inside, and vice versa. So when you get a makeover or make a very notable change to your wardrobe, you also start noticing other things about yourself. It also makes you look at the world differently. When you take some time off to reflect on things, you realize what truly matters and what doesn’t, what you need to hold on to and what you need to let go.
You’ll understand why the change was necessary.
Maybe not immediately, but one fine day you’re going to wake up and realize how the small and seemingly insignificant changes you made to your life were necessary. For instance, in hindsight, moving to where I live currently was a great idea. It gave me a much-needed clean slate and I was thrilled at the possibility of being able to remodel myself as an individual. Looking back, I can promise you that it was the best decision ever because it sped up my healing process by a huge margin.
Change makes you tolerant.
Once you have accepted that change is the only constant in life, you prepare yourself for whatever life can throw your way. You could be going through the lowest period of your life and you’ll still know with all of your heart that it’s just a temporary phase. You know you’re going to get past whatever you’re dealing with right now. That alone is enough to make you want to hold on to hope and keep pushing yourself until better days are finally here. It gives you the strength that you need to hold on to the possibility of improvement.
So, if you’re feeling stuck in life right now, not knowing what to do, where to go or who you are, make some kind of change in your life. It doesn’t even have to be a very big change. You could start by getting a makeover because everybody knows that it’s the gateway to making bigger and bolder changes in your life.
Psyched to know what changes you’re going to make!
Cheerio! Xx
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Yours truly,
The Shubhster.
Featured Image by Chris Lawton on Unsplash
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