Photo by Aleksandr Neplokhov
How can we be prepared to face total life changes when the tides come in batches? What do we need to do while striving to live normally?
Change, the inevitable part of life, often comes in waves that no one expects. Whether it’s a new job, a move to a different city, the end of a relationship, or a health crisis, we are often not prepared for them. Moreover, these major life changes can make us uncertain about the next difficult steps. So, the thought of doing the impossible would definitely scare anyone.
But what if there were ways where we could navigate the shifting tides that come in every life? What if we could choose to stand up or sit out of every opportunity to face our fears?
The Magic of Knowing Everything and Nothing at All
It can be unsettling when we don’t know what the future holds. After all, what we’ve always known and injected into our daily routine is suddenly upended by major life changes. Most of all, our natural instincts make us want to fight against them. But that’s not necessarily the best way to proceed.
Rather than trying to go against something we do not know, it’s best to pause and think about the best action. After all, these life changes might open doors to new experiences and opportunities you may never have discovered otherwise.
The Illusion of Certainty
We’re often tempted to believe that we can know and control everything. However, the more we think we know, the more we realize how little we truly understand. For every question answered, a dozen more emerge. And the deeper we dive into what we have already grasped, the more complex and nuanced it becomes. Knowing what may come is an illusion because we can never truly know what will happen.
What Constitutes Total Life Change
Major events indeed change the course of one’s life, especially with how they affect other aspects of a person. What are these factors, and how do they contribute to total life change?
They can include major career shifts, like changing jobs, starting a new business, or going into retirement. In addition, our relationships with people also undergo certain changes. Some might end up spending the rest of their lives with another person. Others go through very tough breakups that drastically shift the direction of their lives. People who suddenly lose a loved one go through a kind of shock that not only affects family dynamics, but living situations. Going through all that is taxing for most human beings.
Furthermore, our health is an unpredictable part of our total life experience. For instance, recovering from a serious illness or injury can certainly turn one’s circumstances upside down. Even a health scare can make us throttle back and question everything we’ve been doing in our lives thus far. These events force us to make substantial lifestyle changes that affect our approach to taking care of ourselves.
It is astounding to think that major life changes can transform who we are from the inside out. Whether we change our educational pursuits or move to a new city/state, the outcome will be different for everyone. Moreover, not everyone will accept the total life changes that come our way. However, there’s nothing we can do about it but move forward.
Searching for Stability Amidst the Changes
When facing the chaotic waves of life, it’s natural to crave a sense of stability and familiarity. However, the very nature of life means that what we’ve always known may slip away in the blink of an eye. Then, we spend our lives searching for stability because holding on with all our might can be tiring.
If you feel lost in the middle of the metaphorical sea, remember what or who you’re living for. These serve as your guiding principles, steering you to the path you’re meant to take. These uncharted waters can be terrifying, but sticking to your principles and embracing new ones will make life more bearable.
Most important, you’re not alone.
You can always lean on your support system, people who love you even when you feel at your lowest. Their presence is a relief, even without offering any advice or assistance. So when your life becomes full of twists and turns, leaning on your loved ones will give you the reassurance you need.
Being stable is sometimes a challenge. So, grab a copy of Stand Up or Sit Out by Anthony Candela. It can be your guide. Reading about the challenges the author describes in his book can serve as a source of encouragement to anyone who wants to live a stable and normal life.
