Hi Everyone,
This is our first edition of Chance on Life: the well-working-and-living newsletter for navigating life transitions and small or significant moments. The subject of this newsletter may sound like a summary of what you'll ever get from it, but that's far from it. Before we start delving into the complexities (or simplicities) of life transitions, I find it helpful to share a science-backed guide to staying sane and even happy through the waiting seasons.
Firstly, I would like to share that I, like so many of you reading, have had lots of waiting seasons. Waiting seasons are rarely simple and, if you let them, can do a number on your state of mind. In mid-2022, I took some time off to focus on my mental health, and I also began looking for a new career during that period. The stakes were high because I wasn't just seeking a job in my sector but one with more growth opportunities, that paid more than my existing salary, and that would eventually allow me to relocate from the EU region to the UK. There were numerous factors that went into my decision to make the switch, and if you read my newsletters for long enough, I'll explain them all. Not only did I receive a sufficient number of rejections weekly, but I also had to continue my therapy, deal with family difficulties, and ultimately deal with grief throughout that time of waiting. The following is a compilation of the methods I discovered in the midst of it all that helped me maintain my sanity:
Recognise that transitions are inevitable and accept the truth of the one you're currently experiencing. Recognise your feelings and give yourself permission to feel them to their fullest. I was vulnerable, both privately and openly, within my trusted circles about how affected I was by my waiting season.
Get help from your social circle by surrounding yourself with positive people. Having friends and family by your side can help ease the emotional burden of change and give you a sense of direction and community. My friends and family showed up for me through it all and continue to do so.
Self-compassion entails treating oneself with empathy and kindness, especially during times of change. Be as kind and understanding to yourself as you would be to a friend in need. Take pride in your abilities and perseverance. I realized how strong and resilient I had been, and I took it as a positive quality and sign of growth.
Adjust your expectations and recognize that change might be a slow process. Make sure your goals are attainable, then cut them down into smaller chunks. Rejoice in your achievements as you go. I kept building my vision by revisiting it and checking in with my job search goals. I started volunteering at events, speaking engagements, and community building to stay mentally active. I celebrated the mere act of waking up every day.
Create a schedule. Maintaining a consistent daily routine can be a source of comfort and security in the midst of upheaval. Having regular routines might make life feel more normal and less chaotic. This was a huge game-changer for me and came as a direction from my therapist. I felt much more in control of my life by having routines and sticking to them.
Strengthen your ability to recover quickly from setbacks by practising resilience. Concentrate on strengthening your ability to bounce back from adversity by prioritising your own health and happiness on a regular basis. I remember telling a friend that my brokenness didn't mean I was broken. I found ways to stay hopeful and continued to feed my spirit through affirmation cards, journaling, church groups, and even feel-good TV shows.
Adopt a growth mindset and look at changes as challenges that can be overcome. Adopting a growth mindset means having faith in one's own flexibility and capacity for learning and change. Take the difficulties as opportunities for growth. I kept reminding myself how this would all make for a great story and how purpose was being birthed from the pressure.
Take care of your emotional and physical well-being. Taking care of yourself should be a top priority, so make time for things like working out, eating right, getting enough sleep, and practising mindfulness or meditation to deal with stress. Do things that make you happy and calm down. I became an avid user of mindfulness apps like Asana Rebel and Headspace (shoutout to corporate wellbeing benefits). I learned how to perform a body scan and the importance of quality sleep, and I started working out consistently.
If you are having substantial difficulty adjusting to a major change in your life, you may want to talk to a therapist, coach, or counsellor for advice. They can lend you a helping hand and advise you on how to deal with your unique circumstance. You can also reach out to me, as I have limited slots for new clients.
Keep in mind that navigating life's changes is an individual experience, so it's important to figure out what works for you.
I'm interested in hearing which of these you have or are willing to try.
Until we meet again! Feel free to join our career coaching WhatsApp group for access to useful resources and advice.
xoxo.
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