Change is inevitable

Change is Inevitable 

Many aspects of my life have been undergoing significant changes lately and like many individuals, I’ve never been one to readily embrace change. It always stirs up feelings of irritation, anxiety and an overall sense of gloominess within me. However, as I navigated through this cumbersome process of uncertainty, I realised how attached I was to specific things/ situations which ultimately exacerbated my emotional turmoil. Don’t get me wrong, it is good to be attached to things, but not if it is coming at the cost of your mental peace. 

With the lease on my apartment set to expire on the 25th, it was only natural that I had a substantial amount of packing to do to prepare for the move to my new place. All my mornings were consumed by attempts to fit my oversized duvet into a box that simply wouldn’t accommodate it. Saying I tried every humanly possible way to do so, would be an understatement. I tried vacuum packing it, attempted some weird origami folding shit-type manoeuvres; and even tried ironing it (don’t know why; it felt like a sensible thing to do at that time). Yet that stubborn blanket just wouldn’t cooperate, ultimately causing more stress, and leaving me with a pile of items that were, in fact, more important than the duvet, and that could have fit inside that box had I been willing to part with it. Now, I know that this might be a shitty analogy, but I found myself doing similar things with a lot of situations in my life as well. We often become so attached to specific ideas or circumstances that letting go becomes nearly impossible. However, we must shed our emotional baggage to make space for things that are equally or more important in the present moment. 

I personally feel the best way to deal with this is by giving up control and letting things go.

 It’s okay to not know what’s going to happen at times and is perfectly acceptable to not have all the answers. Sometimes, we need to navigate through things to figure out what is good for us. Start by saying no, it’s the easiest way to establish boundaries. Say no to all things that don’t align with what you believe and deserve. By doing so you not only set high standards for yourself but also ultimately eliminate the uncertainty some situations bring with them. Give up things/people/situations that no longer serve you. The best way to navigate through change and the unknown is by doing what feels right for you at that very moment. Do whatever you can to help yourself and then surrender, the rest will work out on its own. 

We live in a competitive world where everything feels like a rat race, it’s very easy to fall prey to unrealistic standards and feel like you aren’t doing enough. I know I’ve had my fair share of, ‘everyone else seems to have their shit together’ and ‘extreme need to prove myself moments.’ Motivating yourself, and having a zest to achieve something is an admirable quality, but we need to ask ourselves about the intention behind the same. Are you doing it because this is what you want for yourself or simply to prove and fit into a super materialistic world around you? Most of the time life is only as complicated or simple as we make it to be.

So, the next time you feel bad about losing someone/ something/ an opportunity, it’s imperative that you would feel bad but, remember that it is a phase that will eventually pass. All these things are a part of your life and not the bane of your existence. Having that one person, job, object, or being in that one place doesn’t define who you are and what you are capable of. Surround yourself with people, and do things that bring you happiness. Everyone has a different perception of how things should flow, so don’t base your life- choices and decisions on what someone in your position would or wouldn’t do. It’s what feels right to you.

I remember reading this quote online that said, “Change is inevitable but growth is optional.” How you navigate through the unknown will either help you grow into a better person or make you a shittier version of yourself. Work on things you want to improve about yourself and polish your professional skill set. It is when you enjoy the process instead of running behind finding the solutions when you find the answers. Last but not least, credit yourself for making it this far, and give yourself a pat on the back for making it through all the moments you thought you wouldn’t. You deserve it!