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HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF BIG LIFE CHANGES

Sometimes life can seem to turn on a dime. You head off to work one morning, and by the time you return home that evening, some big change has taken place that might feel like it’s altered your immediate future. For some people, this sudden shift feels too much like a roller coaster they never asked to ride. For others, unexpected challenges are opportunities – a jumping-off point for a new path in life.

The key is knowing how to stay positive and make the most of the challenges or changes you may face in life. This could be a new job that sends you halfway across the country, a new addition to your family, or even an unwanted obstacle you’ve now got to figure out how to deal with. How you approach these life transitions is up to you. You can decide to be happy about it and make plans to rise to this new challenge. Of course, you will want to make sure to add in some self-care that will help make your new path more manageable.

Here are some easy tips to help you make the most of the next big curveball life throws your way.

View Your Stress as a Challenge

Mindset is everything when it comes to meeting challenges. Whatever big life change awaits you, tell yourself that this is something to tackle – a puzzle you need to solve to win. It’s normal to be afraid that something seems too sudden or too big to handle. But once you take a step back and look at it logically, you can decide to see it as an occasion that you will rise above and conquer.

Focus on the Here and Now Only

When a big change is dropped in your lap, it can sometimes seem like too much is happening all at once. It can feel overwhelming. You might find yourself trapped in the cycle of “what ifs” and wonder where you should focus your energy and attention.

Instead of letting your thoughts spiral, approach this challenge by focusing only on the now. Make the changes bite-sized. Decide to tackle this new path one category at a time. To make this easier, create a list of what your priorities are at this very moment, then make sure your first decisions align with those.

Use This Time To Reflect On Where Your Life Is, and Where It’s Heading

Big changes in life mean it’s time to take stock. Use this time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished so far in life. Keep a positive attitude as you think about how far you’ve come from one place to the next, and think about where this new change could take you. For example, if this big change is a new job or a promotion, take a hard look at what you want out of this turn your life is taking. Does this give you the stability to buy a home instead of rent, or to start making larger financial investments in your future? If you have a family, what does this mean for them? Once you have your immediate priorities in hand, setting aside time to look ahead allows you to map out new possibilities for your future.

Trust the Natural Process of Life

As you make plans to tackle the “new normal” in your life after any big change, you also have to get comfortable with learning to just go with the flow. This can be tough for people who react to change by tightening their control over things. Instead, learn to trust yourself and give yourself permission to follow the natural flow of life. This means letting go of your expectations and embracing how life unfolds. Being happy with the here and now takes practice, but it’s rewarding when you get the hang of it.

This is also the time for self-care. Set aside a little time for yourself each day to relax and recharge. One way to indulge is to create some at-home spa time. Try Artistry Signature Select™ Masks, which can be used in multiple combinations to create your own personalized skin treatment.

Recognize Your Strengths

Now isn’t the time to be shy about what you are good at. For example, if you are a Type A personality with stellar organizational and planning skills, a big life change means it is time to use those strengths to the best of your ability. Or maybe you’re a people person with a great aptitude for building connections. Either way, dig deep to find what you’re good at. Now is your time to shine.

If you are not sure what your greatest strengths are, think about how you’ve handled major life changes and challenges in the past. What makes you resilient? What motivates you to do your best? Once you identify these strengths, you can make them work for you in the midst of your life transition.

Maintain a Sense of Humor

No question about it, change can be overwhelming. But don’t forget to laugh. Use your sense of humor to keep yourself grounded during this unsettled time. If you find yourself being too serious as you work through a challenge, try to reframe the situation and use humor to get you through it. Remembering to smile when you are going through a tough time has been shown to increase your self-esteem – a little boost you could really use about now.

Big changes can rock your foundation a bit. But by approaching life’s transitions with a positive attitude, some planning and by tapping into your strengths, you’ll be ready to see where the world takes you.