They say there are only two things in life you can count on: death and taxes. We would add a third: change. We will always have life change. Every single person goes through changes and there are no ways to avoid it. Some of those changes can be significant and some can be very hard to manage.
Whether you are graduating, starting a new job, moving to a new city, or ending a relationship, you may find dealing with change can be very stressful. Seeking professional counseling can absolutely help you navigate these big life changes in a healthy way.
Here are some ways counseling can help with big life changes:
Managing Expectations
There’s the change itself, and then there’s what we expect life to be during and after the change. Often we can feel stress when reality does not align with our expectations of reality. Counseling can help you manage your expectations so that the transition is peaceful and realistic.
A Positive Framework
Change means one door closes as another one opens. But many people put all of their focus and attention on that closing door. Focusing on an ending can make us feel depressed and anxious.
A counselor can help you focus on the new opportunities ahead of you. This can improve your state of mind, which will ultimately help you make the most of the current situation.
Self-Care
For many of us, change means burning the candle at both ends and not taking care of ourselves. Counseling can remind us (as many times as needed) that we need to make our physical and mental health a priority during this transition.
Processing any grief from the loss of what you’re leaving behind
Many people think grief is only about death. But, grief is about loss. Any time there’s a change like a life transition there is loss. Even a “happy” life transition like graduation still involves loss – you’re losing that school experience, you’re losing that time in your life, you might be losing a group of friends, etc. Sometimes we realize what we’re losing, and sometimes we don’t. A counselor can help you recognize and then process the feelings and thoughts you might have around the loss.
Now that you see some of the ways counseling can help you through the biggest changes in your life, it’s time to find a counselor who can help you find insight and fresh perspective. Reach out to us today to get matched with the counselor that fits you best.
Here are some resources:
https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/lifes-challenges/life-changes/
https://www.verywellmind.com/5-tips-for-dealing-with-change-5205553
