Embrace Change

I’ve recently taken on a new job and an apartment move all in one month; that’s a lot of change, but as one friend pointed out, when your life is in chaos, that’s the best time to take up a new habit. “Your morning routine is already off kilter anyway, so now is the perfect time to add new stuff you’ve been meaning to do.”

I love her perspective, and she’s right. It doesn’t have to be the start of a new year to be the start of a new you. From eating right to getting organized or just working in three sets of push-ups before you go to bed, you can take baby steps to a better you right now, even without the party hat and midnight kiss.

If your life is already in a state of chaos, that may be the best opportunity to give something new a try. But is adding more to-dos to your list as you are searching for a new job or moving from East Nashville to Brentwood really a good strategy?

“Absolutely,” says Daryl Woods, owner of Fearlessly Me, a local company offering life coaching, fitness training, image consulting and wellness practitioners. A certified life coach, Woods flies all over the world helping men and women turn transitions and challenges into proactive personal fulfillment.

“During a transition, your mind, body and spirit have so many different reactions. Many times the best and most grounding thing to do is to take on something you can achieve that will take the place of the commotion.

“I had one client who chose to stop smoking after he lost his job,” continues Woods. “It was something he had been meaning to do. I was surprised, but he told me, ‘Without a job, I’ve got nothing but time to focus on being healthy,’ and that’s just what he did.”

It makes sense when you think about it. You create a healthy habit like going to the gym or even taking your dog on a long walk each morning, and that totally changes your disposition and ability to cope.

New gigs and big moves are one thing, but should you really be adding more change into a break-up or divorce? Yep.

Again, Woods says to find and set a goal you can reach — and get to it.

“I’d challenge you to look at that break-up objectively and find the reoccurring theme — it’s likely that this isn’t the first time you’ve heard that you are sensitive, possessive, have trust issues, etc. If you are up to it emotionally and spiritually, work on addressing that.”

In other words, better yourself now so that you won’t run into the same issues in your next relationship. 

Be it exciting or scary change, the key, says Woods, is to keep moving.

“Just don’t sit still. You can’t just fold your hands and sit there. You’ll want to take a more submissive role and say this world — or this person, or this job — has done this to me, but you have to see this as an opportunity to take charge and take action.”

If this all sounds like turning lemons into lemonade, well, that’s because it is.

As you go through life’s twists and turns, add a few of your own in for good measure. Greet change at your door. Invite him in and toast him with a glass of Merlot. Then, make him take you to a movie.

Go get ’em, ladies!