7 Ways to Build Resilience Through Change

These are stressful times. Over the last several months we have all faced an unprecedented amount of change in our lives.

Change may be the one constant we can count on in life. But the speed with which we’ve had to make some of these changes has been stressful. While stress levels will vary from person to person, I believe they are creating a unique opportunity for us to build resilience.

For me, because of the work I do, resilience is all about adapting to change. It’s our capacity to face setbacks, disappointments, and adversity emerging on the other side wiser and stronger. There isn’t one look to resiliency; it varies depending on the individual and the circumstances.

I do, however, believe that change can act as the catalyst for building resilience. Here are 7 ways to build resilience through change.

Know where you are in the change cycle

In this blog post, I describe the five (5) stages people go through when navigating change. I call them the 5 E’s of The Change Cycle. Briefly, they are: [Instigating] Event, Emotions, Exploration, Enlightenment, and Embrace. Understanding where you are in the cycle is the first step to developing your resiliency. Simply understanding this cycle can prove helpful because it lets you see that you can move through change. Knowing you CAN do something sometimes makes all the difference in terms of dealing with the unknown.

Accept what is

By fighting or resisting a change that is happening in your life, you are putting off the inevitable. You will have to face it eventually. Dropping into acceptance of what is, instead of wishing for what was, will help you move forward. Over time, you’ll discover this acceptance helps you bounce back faster from the inevitable disappointments life may bring you.

Have a strong support system

You are not meant to do life alone, nor are you meant to try to move through change on your own. Having a safe space where you can be honest and vulnerable about how you’re doing is important. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. A good thing for the highly independent people in the room to remember. Sometimes that help looks like a listening ear without judgment. Other times, it might mean more tangible help. Either way, having a strong support system helps you build resilience through change.

Focus on what you can control

Venting is okay and I would even argue that it can be cathartic. The challenge comes if you get stuck venting and spiraling into a negative mindset. When dealing with change, there is often a lot you cannot control and it’s easy to focus on what you wish was different. This, however, only serves to encourage feelings of helplessness. By focusing on what you can control you empower yourself and grow your resiliency muscle at the same time. Be intentional to keep your attention there and you’ll find yourself moving through change with more ease.

Take care of yourself

Move your body, practice meditation, get creative, do whatever it takes to take care of yourself. Now is not the time to let up on your self-care. Self-care during times of change is an act of self-respect reminding you that you matter. Your self-care isn’t about avoiding what your feeling, instead it helps you process all that is happening. Having one or two things that are your go-to in stressful times will help you build resilience.

Practice self-compassion

Judging yourself for not being “stronger” or “better” is unhelpful. In the place of that judgment, I invite you to bring kindness and compassion. RLK It! As you are processing all the things, offer yourself Ridiculous Levels of Kindness. Not just kindness but RIDICULOUS levels of kindness. Check out this Self-Compassion Break for a quick way to practicing self-compassion when feeling stressed out.

Prepare for a new normal

People react to change differently. The in-between, the space between what was and what is not yet, is the hardest part of dealing with change. On the other side of the in-between is a new normal. Even when things go back to “normal”, they won’t be the same and accepting that fact helps in building your resiliency.

Resiliency is your natural state. Even when you don’t feel like it, you are more resilient than you may realize (or even believe). By practicing these seven strategies, you will strengthen this muscle and build resilience. Ultimately, giving yourself the capacity to navigate the stress of change no matter how big or small.

Wishing you and yours, health and safety as we all figure out a new normal.

From my heart to yours,

P.S: If you are struggling to find your footing in the midst of all these changes, let’s talk. Schedule a complimentary call with me today. There’s no obligation, simply a time for you to get clear about what you most need right now. Schedule your free call today.