Short messages on Positive change from Respect Yourself, the guidance site for young people to help make good decisions in life.
“There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don’t allow yourself to become one of them.” – Ralph Marston
Understand that your addiction to negative thinking is based on the illusion that you can avoid pain by experiencing negativity on your own terms. You have what it takes to face the pain and negativity. As sure as day follows night, know that in time the pain will subside.
Self-acceptance allows us to acknowledge all aspects of ourselves without clinging or judgement. Instead of fixating on the bad, it means loving all of who we are. It means having the courage to correct any behaviours that are harmful without engaging in self-loathing.
There is a difference between being patient and being passive. You can patiently accept change while at the same time actively pursuing strategies to get yourself used to the new circumstances, emotionally and otherwise.
The key to accepting change is to have an open mind and to accept everything as it presents itself. The change will occur, like it or not; you cannot control it. Remember, with this change you have the ability to shape your response in a positive way.
Some life changes will be completely beyond your control, such as a friend moving away. Even when you do have some amount of control, you still cannot control that the change will happen. However, you always have the ability to control how you respond to the change.
Once you’ve determined precisely what change is happening in your life, you can develop coping strategies that are best suited to deal with the circumstances.
Insecurities, physical and mental health, and external forces such as cash flow can threaten your ability to focus and become the best version of yourself.
Name specific ways that you can work to grow. Do you have access to professional help? Can you take courses or get training to make your strengths stand out and overcome your weaknesses?
While you can’t emotionally detach yourself from the experience of life changes, you can try to take a step back and look at things from a distance. Try writing down exactly what has changed and how it has impacted you.