17 Ways to Embrace Change and Make the Best of Any Situation

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Learn to be more resilient, flexible, and positive with these tips
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Change can be hard for many people to accept—but it's worth remembering that part of growing as a person means accepting that life is always changing. We might lose our jobs, have to relocate unexpectedly, or have other major things happen to us, but these changes are just part of life. Even if change unsettles you, you can cope by managing your stress, developing a positive mindset, and looking to the future. Keep reading for a list of ways to accept and come to terms with the change in your life, no matter what it might be.

Accepting Change: Quick Tips

  1. Take initiative and get used to change by making small, easy changes in your life.
  2. Figure out why change unsettles you and embrace your feelings about it.
  3. Find value in the change by noting upsides or new opportunities as a result of it.
  4. Develop a positive outlook on life by reciting daily affirmations.
  5. Talk to someone about your feelings and practical ways to improve the situation.
1

Embrace your feelings about change.

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  1. Whatever type of change is unsettling you, take time to sit with yourself and examine those feelings. Change will come whether you feel ready for it or not, but you can decide how you respond to it. If you let your feelings about the change overwhelm you, you’ll likely struggle to move on—so embrace those feelings instead. [1]
    • If a loved one has passed away, give yourself the time you need to grieve.
    • If you’ve lost your job, let yourself feel mad, disappointed, or upset.
    • If you feel like your community is changing in a negative way, articulate that to friends and look for ways you can help it.
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2

Figure out why the change unsettles you.

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  1. Take the time to think about the situation and look inward; it may help you better understand yourself. As a result, this might alleviate some of your anxiety about change. Consider the following: [2]
    • Does the death of a loved one make you face your own mortality?
    • Does social change give you a feeling of uncertainty and make you feel like everything you know about the world is falling apart?
    • Does breaking up with a significant other make you feel as if you're too emotionally fragile and lacking a support system?
3

Remember that change is inevitable.

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  1. So, remind yourself not to expect constant stability. The entire history of the world and the history of humanity can be defined by continual change, evolution, and development. Change is part of life and existence, and change often brings new opportunities--sometimes good ones! [3]
    • If you fixate on how a change limits you, it’ll be harder to work through your feelings; instead, remind yourself that you still have the freedom to decide your future.
    • In other words, don’t spend all your energy trying to fight a change and return to how things were!
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4

Prepare for change.

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  1. Change is inevitable—so why be unprepared for it? If you know that you need to change in order to grow, start making small, easy changes in your life that won’t scare or upset you—like setting a firm sleep schedule for yourself or drinking more water each day. [4]
    • Easing into those smaller changes will make the big ones feel more manageable, too!
    • If you don’t know what small changes to make, ask yourself about your current goals, strengths, weaknesses, or challenges. Is there a change that might help you in some way?
5

Reframe the situation.

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  1. You can get into a more optimistic mindset if you take the time to put things in perspective and reframe the situation by asking yourself some questions. Ask questions such as: “What is it that I believe will happen as a result of this change?” and “Are these thoughts accurate and realistic?” [5]
    • Going through these questions can help you to determine if the change is really worth worrying about.
    • Try starting a gratitude journal and list everything you’re grateful for in life, too. Among its many other benefits, practicing gratitude can help you feel happier, sleep better, and possibly even overcome trauma.
    • Every day, jot down 10 things you’re grateful for, adding to the list every time you write. You can start with basic things like a place to sleep, food to eat, family, and so on.
    • As your list continues, try to notice smaller things, like a beautiful sunset, a good cup of coffee, or a great phone call with a friend.
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6

Find opportunities in each change.

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  1. Take this chance to use a loss or negative change to rediscover your zest for life. Remind yourself that change is how you’ll grow as a person, and there’s always some new opportunity to explore on the horizon. For example: [6]
    • If you have a death in the family, think about all of the family members you have left. Let the experience be one that binds you together tighter as a family unit.
    • If you lost your job, look at it as an opportunity to find a new job, a new career, or a new way of supporting yourself that brings you more fulfillment.
    • If you're separating from a significant other, remember there are reasons for that. Both of you might be happier in the long run and better able to find fulfilling relationships.
7

Look for humor in the situation.

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  1. Can you pinpoint a funny moment, even if the overall situation isn’t funny? Humor is a powerful tool—it can relieve stress and make you feel better, as well as the people around you. [7] Just make sure you’re making jokes that everyone can laugh at, and not poking fun at someone else’s problems.
    • Understandably, some situations are hard to laugh at, so don’t try to force it. However, finding something to laugh at may bring you a little comfort in the midst of change.
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8

Develop positivity through affirmations.

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  1. It’s important to find ways to be positive, even when change is making your life difficult—and affirmations can be a powerful tool. Spend a little time each day reciting affirmations to build a positive outlook for yourself and help you keep moving forward despite the changes happening in your life. [8]
    • For example, you might use affirmations such as:
      • I grow and improve a little every day.
      • My life is full of potential.
      • I’m allowed to have needs and take up space.
      • I don’t need to be able to see the future to know that everything is going to be okay.
      • My life is what I choose it to be, and I choose to make it wonderful.
9

Embrace your ability to adapt.

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  1. Remind yourself that you’re a strong person with a dynamic nature and that you'll be stronger as a result of this change. Also, keep in mind that change can be a powerful motivator to help you achieve your goals. [9]
    • Try to use change as a motivation, if possible. For example, if you lose your job, you might use this change as motivation to go back to school or pursue a career you have always dreamed about.
    EXPERT TIP

    Lauren Urban, LCSW

    Licensed Psychotherapist
    Lauren Urban is a licensed psychotherapist in Brooklyn, New York, with over 13 years of therapy experience working with children, families, couples, and individuals. She received her Masters in Social Work from Hunter College in 2006, and specializes in working with the LGBTQIA community and with clients in recovery or considering recovery for drug and alcohol use.
    Lauren Urban, LCSW
    Licensed Psychotherapist

    Emotions are a reflection of life's evolving story. Sometimes, we find ourselves in an unfamiliar emotional state without knowing why. Give yourself space to clarify your emotions and navigate this phase of your journey.

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10

Manage your stress.

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  1. Change can bring stress, and that’s okay—but try not to add to that stress. Instead, find ways to manage your stress and uneasiness. You might not get rid of the stress entirely, but you can prevent it from taking a heavier toll with activities proven to reduce stress, like practicing yoga , meditating , and exercising . [10]
    • It may also help to ask yourself what your stress is helping you accomplish. After all, stress is a natural feeling that can help you power through all kinds of challenges.
    • For example, stress might help you do high-quality work on a project or get out of a situation with a toxic family member.
    • So, instead of worrying about how stressed you are, reminding yourself of how your stress is helping you navigate the situation may actually help you feel calmer.
11

Keep yourself busy.

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  1. If you’re going through a period in your life when change negatively impacts you, make yourself busy —with work, making something, tackling a project, or spending time with other people. Staying busy can distract you from the situation and enable you to do something productive instead. [11]
    • Making yourself busy will help you move on and think about other aspects of your life, and it may even open up new opportunities for you!
    • Try finding a new hobby—something you've never done before. Finding pleasure in a new activity can help you enjoy life after the change.
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12

Prioritize the things you value most.

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  1. What do you value above all else in life? Is it family, friends, work, religious or cultural practices, creativity, a specific hobby, or something else? When your world feels turbulent and full of change, focusing on your values can help determine how you behave and react. [12]
    • Ask yourself what values you can apply to your life, and use them as the foundation for navigating the change.
    • For example, if you value a hobby, you might focus on that hobby when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
    • If you value kindness and expressing gratitude, you might focus on doing acts of kindness and communicating your gratitude for the people you care about.
13

Talk to someone you trust.

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  1. Your friends and loved ones can sympathize with you—and if you talk to them, they might also provide a new perspective that’ll alter your view of change and help you accept it more easily. Even if they’re just as distressed as you are, knowing that they’re in a similar situation can be comforting, and it may give you the strength to accept change and move on together. [13]
    • On the other hand, it may help to talk more about the actual problem than how you feel. When you stew in your anger or frustration, it may actually hinder you from moving on.
    • Instead, once you acknowledge your feelings, ask someone for practical advice about what to do next. Get yourself in a problem-solving headspace so you don’t get stuck in a negative one.
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14

Create a list of life goals.

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  1. By looking ahead and looking to the future, you’ll be able to better deal with the past and accept it as something that had to happen for you to move forward. Think about things like getting a better job, exercising to get healthier, or traveling and seeing new places—essentially, any area of life you’re looking to change. [14]
15

Make a roadmap to change.

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  1. Now that you have a list of goals to pursue figure out how you want to meet them. Come up with a reasonable timeline for yourself and a strategy to help you get where you want to go—whether that means saving up money for a vacation, honing certain skills to get a new job, or something else. [15]
    • Do your best to track your progress. That way, you can measure how close you are to each goal—and reflect on your efforts thus far.
    • Remember: the overall idea is to get comfortable with change, so don’t be afraid to try new things or go on adventures here and there, especially if it coincides with your goals.
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16

Find an accountability partner.

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  1. An accountability partner—a friend or family member you trust—can help you stick to your goals and follow the roadmap you’ve made for yourself. They can also lend you a hand when you need it and help you find opportunities or places to improve as you go. [16]
    • If nothing else, an accountability partner can also help you celebrate your successes! Knowing someone is on your side can make embracing and pursuing change in your life easier.
17

Try to build a better world.

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  1. Once you accept the change that makes you uncomfortable, determine what you'll do about it—and how you'll use those feelings to make an even better world. In this way, you're accepting change, turning it upside down, and using it to do good things! Consider doing the following: [17]
    • Volunteering for a cause that you think is important.
    • Helping someone in need that you know.
    • Adopting a homeless pet.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mindful-anger/202012/change-is-hard-here-s-how-make-it-easier
      2. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mindful-anger/202012/change-is-hard-here-s-how-make-it-easier
      3. ↑ https://career.uconn.edu/blog/2015/09/01/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/
      4. ↑ https://www.ultimatemedical.edu/blog/wellness-tips-how-to-accept-change-so-you-dont-shut-down/
      5. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/5-ways-to-boost-optimism
      6. ↑ https://au.reachout.com/articles/7-tips-for-dealing-with-change
      7. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456
      8. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-for-happiness/202105/a-guide-to-affirmations-and-how-to-use-them
      9. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-power-prime/201201/personal-growth-motivation-the-drive-change
      1. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-management.htm
      2. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/6-ways-to-stay-busy-to-avoid-sadness
      3. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mindful-anger/202012/change-is-hard-here-s-how-make-it-easier
      4. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/feeling-stuck-how-to-express-your-feelings
      5. ↑ https://actionforhappiness.org/take-action/set-your-goals-and-make-them-happen
      6. ↑ https://actionforhappiness.org/take-action/set-your-goals-and-make-them-happen
      7. ↑ https://www.wgu.edu/blog/should-you-have-accountability-partner2305.html
      8. ↑ https://ssir.org/articles/entry/creating_a_better_world_means_asking_better_questions

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Dealing with change can be tough, but accepting that it’s a normal part of life can help you grow as a person and get used to new things that happen. Express the feelings you have about the change in a healthy way, since bottling up your emotions won’t help you move on. For example, take time to grieve if you’ve lost a loved one or feel disappointed if you’ve lost your job. Try to find something positive about your new situation to help you move forward. This could be that you have a chance to change careers after losing your job, or that your family comes closer together after mourning the death of a relative. If the change you’re experiencing is causing stress, practice yoga or meditation to combat this. You can also do something to bring about positive change for you or someone else, like volunteering for a cause you believe in or adopting a pet. That way, you’ll see how change can also be a positive development rather than just something that negatively affects you. For tips from our co-author on how to talk to others about your fear of change, keep reading!

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