Turn And Face The Strange; Embracing Change
Change isn’t pleasant. Let’s get that out of the way. It’s not the easiest thing in the world to get used to and it’s not the most pleasant thing to go through. Either because of the sentimentality that we’ve attached to things and gotten used to or simply because of how uncomfortable it is for us since it means that we have to engage in the unfamiliar; change is not pleasant, but sometimes, or at least almost always, it’s necessary.
No matter how nice it would be for us to be living in an ideal world where everything stays exactly the same as the day we have it, either friendships or work, nothing will stay the same forever. It’s just not possible.
Change feels different to everyone and almost everyone has their own way of dealing with it. Some will try to make sense of the change that’s happening and try to look for humor in all of it, which is not the worst idea in the world. Humor does help us to cope with the problems that might pop up in our lives. It helps us feel less sorry for ourselves when our expectations from the change aren’t met, and also helps us connect with ourselves more as we look into ourselves and see how that change might affect us.
Another way to look at it is, I know this’ll sound very cliché, but it’s by looking at the brighter side. Sure, that one co-worker that you’ve bonded so much with over the years have chosen to resign, and sure, you might feel like you’re left alone without them having your back like they normally do, but if you look at the brighter side of it, like thinking more that you can finally focus on your career with their absence. Maybe their absence is the one thing that will not only motivate you but also helps you to focus on the things that you know you need to be focusing on. Maybe.
What’s important to know with change, especially if that change is brought about by the departure of someone you care about, considering they’re still around, just not in the way you’re used to, then it will all be okay. You can still get in touch with them, and if that bond proves to be real, then you’re in good hands. You’ll still get to interact with them through social media, you can still grab that coffee that you normally do with them, you can still be friends.
And don’t get me wrong, sometimes none of those things will help and sometimes you just need to spend a bit of time on your own to get your head to where you need it to be. Sometimes that means spending some time alone in your living room binging your favorite shows while downing an entire large pizza on your own; it’s okay to be a mess. That’s how you deal with things like change and that’s entirely okay. There’s no need to be ashamed of how you deal with things because it’s just one of those very personal things and there’s no single perfect solution for everyone to follow. Go at your own pace.
Lovers fall out of love, friends grow apart, and yet the world keeps on changing. Change isn’t pleasant, but just like how the seasons change to bring us new life, maybe it’s time we embrace the changes in our lives to see it not as an abandonment of the old, but rather as a starting point for a new beginning. And yes, it’s time to turn and face the strange.