So, even though it is technically summer (what with it being the 1st of December and all), I thought I’d write a bit about my thoughts and feelings throughout this year’s springtime.

Springtime has come with a huge amount of change for me, a new career path, a new qualification, and new flatmates, along with a massive new lease of life which I was well overdue for. Along with all this change has come a healthy (and sometimes overwhelming) amount of both exhaustion and happiness, often at the same time. I thought I’d share some thoughts on how I have managed all this turbulence in my life.

Firstly there is always an element of acceptance that follows any unexpected chance in my life. There will always be some changes that occur that are unexpected and are largely unable to be changed. I always prioritise an attitude of acceptance towards these events. While many situations can be fought for, to enable to most just outcome, others just need to be tolerated or accepted so that one’s energy can be spent on a more useful outlet.

Next, I tend to educate myself on the obstacles that are thrust upon me. For example, as part of getting new flatmates and re-setting up my flat, I needed to open utilities accounts, and familiarise myself with where our gas and power meters were, as well as working out how to read said meters. All of these processes were relatively straight-forward, but required a lot of energy on my part, because new processes are often quite tiring for me, particularly after all the other change that has happened recently.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

― Nelson Mandela

Researching and understanding the intricacies of the new challenges I am about to take on, helps me to feel capable and prepared for the situation and helps me to troubleshoot any troubles that might occur during the process or in the future.

Thirdly, I make a game plan. I list our the steps I need to complete to achieve the goals I am aiming for. This will alwasy include a timeline of how long I plan each step to take me. For example, when setting up all our utilities accounts again, I wrote down “call X power company, make sure to check pricing plans” and confirm with person B who we get to mow our lawns. I will make a list of each small step of things to do, and that in turn will make the goals I am aiming for seem much more managable.

Though this is brief, I hope it is useful for you, when you are trying to handle the challenge of moving through your own changes in your life.

Cheers, Janine.