How to Adapt to Change
Change is inevitable. It can be so small that we hardly notice it, or huge where we can’t miss it. It happens all the time.
And we have our routines to ground us. All of those things that we take for granted. Running into a store to get a few things, coffee with friends, taking kids to school.
During Covid-19 isolation, we’ve lost those routines that have grounded us. The things that we took for granted created protection for us from the big changes. We’ve lost the safety of the “normal” the regular things that we did every day.
Now, all we see is what has and is changing.
We are in a constant state of change now. Every day we here about what we can and can’t do now. Yes, it’s to keep everyone we love and those we haven’t met yet, safe. To help the world heal. The changes are definitely noble and our responses are selfless, but we need to grieve.
Grieve
It’s a process. It has to happen. You can’t just wake up and go about your day like nothing is wrong. It will cause anxiety, depression, and chaos.
So grieve. Go through the stages. Admit that you miss your routines. Accept what is and move forward. Don’t forget to grieve. Sit in a corner and cry whenever you need to, I give you permission. You’ve lost something important, something valuable. You’ve lost your normal.
New Routines
Whenever I hear the words “new normal” or “normal” I feel that everyone is just trying to find new routines, new things to ground them.
We have to find new routines. New schedules. New habits.
Here are a few ideas:
Weekly online coffee with friends
Scheduling work and school
Waking up at the same time, shower, get cute, eat
Lunch when you normally will
Schedule the 9-5 workday
If you have kids, include them in making a schedule. Add in recess for all of you
Have your kids help with menus and making food
Regular Movie/date night
Weekly Plan Sheet
My favourite and most effective thing to do is a weekly plan sheet. I schedule everything for the week, big and small, need-to-do and want-to-do. This way I know what I need to do every day. It helps me find a purpose.
I have also created new routines for morning and evening. This way, I have created my “new normal”.
Download my weekly plan sheet if you’d like to give it a try.
Conclusion
We are all going through changes right now, and we have no idea when things will get “back to normal”. The best thing we can do for ourselves is to create a normal. Create new routines to get grounded.
Acknowledge what has changed
Grieve what you’ve lost
Create new routines
Connect with family and/or friends (online or phone). They are going through the same emotions.
If you need more support, schedule a free call with me. I’d love to help you through this.
This can be an amazing time of transformation for you. Find new connections, new hobbies, or new goals. My motto during this time is
Recharge, Reset, Refocus
You can adapt to changes that come your way, and you can come out the other side in a more beautiful place.
How are you coping with everything going on in the world right now?
Post in the comments, I would love to get your thoughts and ideas.
With sincere gratitude,
Erin
