Embracing the Change: Turning Transitions into Opportunities
by Alicia Wagner, LIMHP, LCSW, LADC
August has arrived. Where did the summer go? It feels like each year, summer passes in the blink of an eye, and now school is just around the corner! This serves as a gentle reminder for us all to take a moment to slow down and allow ourselves the grace to ease back into our routines. Additionally, it's important to recognize that this can be a challenging time for many as we transition to a new grade, head off to college, or adjust to changes in our schedules.
Here are a few tips to assist you with transitioning through these changes.
Attend back-to-school events such as, meet-the-teacher day or orientation: Having an opportunity to check out the classroom or walk through the class schedule without the pressure of lots of students or time constraints can help ease anxiety.
Have a consistent routine: Helps to form healthy habits, offers reassurance, and helps decrease uncertainty.
Focus on the positives: Change can be hard, and it is not easy to focus on all the negative things. When talking about school or the upcoming year, focus on all the positive things which will come such as, reconnecting with friends, new opportunities and various activities.
Offer encouragement: Words of encouragement and positive affirmations to start the day can help set the tone for a positive experience.
Don’t avoid the uncomfortable: Anxiety is normal and is expected with change but walk through your anxiety instead of avoiding things that make you uncomfortable.
Be empathetic: Validate feelings and experiences instead of dismissing or minimizing them. When we show people empathy it helps make them feel less alone.
Offer positive praise: Celebrating people’s accomplishments and giving compliments can help lift someone’s spirits and reduce anxiety. Positive reinforcement can lead to positive changes.
Mindfulness. Being aware of your own emotions can help reduce negative interactions with others and enhance your self-awareness.
(For reference and additional information check out: Tips to help parents soothe kids' back-to-school jitters | FIU News - Florida International University)
During this time of year, this quote always comes to mind by A.A. Milne. “Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” These transitions can be challenging, but remember, you are resilient. It's perfectly fine to take a step back and focus on your well-being. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, remember that you don’t have to navigate it alone. Connecting with a therapist can provide you with valuable skills to alleviate anxiety, adopt healthy coping mechanisms, and explore aspects of your life that you may need to change.
