When it comes to the changing seasons of life, we can be unprepared and blindsided. Here are a handful of ways to help you prepare for the upcoming season change.
In the last 5 years, my season of life has shifted rather unexpectedly and it took some time to adjust to all the newness of a new season. I think we can all agree that 2020 really threw a wrench in our well-laid plans. It took some time to adapt to the “new normal” and some of us…ahem…never really adapted.
Sometimes fighting a season you have no control over is harder than living in the season itself. Don’t waste your precious time or energy in ways that won’t benefit you or those around you.
Here are some ways I learned to work through a changing season.
1. Have a Routine
Having a routine can keep you grounded in something predictable which can truly serve as comfort when everything else seems to be shifting. I didn’t do this as closely as I would have liked. As a result, I paid for it later.
2. Make Taking Care of Yourself a Priority
Part of my routine includes working out regularly. I didn’t make that a priority the way I should have and as a result, my mental and physical health suffered. I didn’t eat very well either so on top of feeling like an emotional basket case, I put on some extra pounds. Of course, this only added stress and created a vicious cycle.
3. Be Prepared for the Unexpected
Don’t get too comfortable with the way you think things should be. Be prepared for life to take a turn you don’t expect. There is a shift that needs to happen in your mindset to prepare yourself for anything. And don’t get hung up on how “bad” things are. Focusing on the negative will only send your mind spiraling.
4. Let Go of Control
The reality is we often cannot control what life serves us. The only thing we can control is how we respond. It may sound cliché but it really is true. Letting go of any control you think you have (but don’t really have) will lighten your shoulders, I promise you. It’s a weight we do not need to carry and only adds unnecessary stress to our lives. Let it go.
5. Trust God in Every Season
No matter the season, God is steadfast. Oh, what a comfort that is!! When we remain anchored to His rock-solid foundation, a hurricane can’t touch us. But we need to let Him be our Rock and trust Him. Trusting ourselves, our ideals, or the world’s wisdom is shifty sand that will have us flying into a wall. And trust me, it will hurt.
Whatever life has thrown at you, do what you can to step into it. Don’t allow the hard seasons to take over your entire life and don’t take the restful seasons for granted.
What is something you have done to adapt to seasons of change in your own life?