The Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, “Change is the only constant in life”.

Everything around us is in a state of flux: feelings, people, weather, work, nature, places, and more. Whether you like it or not, change is inevitable. Many may find this petrifying because change is not in our control. Our fear of change is normal but rather than resisting or being upset about it, let’s take a look at how we can embrace change instead.

Keep calm and go with the flow.
It’s all about acceptance. You can’t control what happens but you can certainly control the way you respond. When change happens, don’t overreact and try to remain calm. Take a deep breath and step away from the situation, go for a walk, indulge yourself with treats, watch a funny video, or take a nap. These things may seem trivial but they are a healthy way to comfort yourself, and in turn allow you to refocus, adjust to the situation positively, act accordingly, and figure out how to move forward.

Learn to live with uncertainty.
“Uncertainty is the only certainty there is, and knowing how to live with insecurity is the only security,” said American mathematician John Allen Paulos. We will never know what the future brings, so we need to learn to live with ambiguity. You can introduce little elements of uncertainty into your life by changing your routine, or trying things, like books, meals or travel destinations, that are outside your comfort zone. The point here is to challenge yourself to do something out of the tried and tested so that you can better tolerate the unexpected twists in life.

Focus on the present.
Worrying about the future will take you away from focusing on, and appreciating, the present. So, soak in as much of today as you possibly can: the sights, sounds, smells, emotions, triumphs, and sorrows. Celebrate every little success, practice gratitude and mindfulness every day so that your mind does not wander off. Don’t forget to set goals for the future. Dream big but at the same time, work hard today to realise those dreams.

Closing thoughts.
Adopting a positive approach to change will give you a chance to learn new things and discover new insights. You might also master new skills along the way, develop important qualities such as flexibility, optimism, persistence, and determination, and become a better version of yourself. Also, remember that the good things in your life now are the results of changes that happened in the past.

Perhaps the best thing about embracing change is learning to appreciate all our blessings, like our family, job, spouse, friends, and pets. Nothing remains the same forever, so let’s make the most of every day and enjoy the life we have.