Coping with change

SECURITY AND ADVENTURE

We humans are a mixture of the love of security and the love of adventure.  Half of each of us loves things to stay the same; and half of each of us loves things to change.

OUR EVOLUTION

In our evolution, we needed both.  Homeostasis (the ability of an organism to keep things the same) is a very important part of survival.  But so is the ability to keep environments and scenarios changing – a group of beings that cannot move when conditions change, is potentially a dead group of beings.

FEAR OF CHANGE IS NATURAL

So when we fear change, we can be comforted that the fear of change is ingrained into us over millions of years.  it is good and right that we have a strong part of us that needs life to be predictable and solid.

WELCOMING CHANGE IS ALSO NATURAL

Equally, when we fear change, we can be comforted that we do have the evolved skill to accept adaptation and adventure.

COPING WITH CHANGE

How can we make it easier to cope with change?

UNDERSTANDING THAT NOTHING LASTS

Firstly, we can remind ourselves that any home territory we create for ourselves is only temporary.  We should expect to have to move on from our comfortable space, possessions, and friends.  Any reliance on them is understandable, but cannot last for ever.

CURIOSITY

Secondly, we can find great interest in what changes.  Instead of seeing change as a threat, we can embrace new people, new places, and new things.

A LITTLE HOME TERRITORY

Thirdly, we can give ourselves a close core of reliable ‘home territory’, and use that as a base from which to explore.  The home territory can be very simple – a few regular rituals or habits; a small number of familiar possessions.  It is amazing how little we need to feel at home.

JUST FOR TODAY

Just for today, perhaps, I will allow the winds of change to blow around my ears a little.  I understand that I will eventually lose all I have anyway, so it is best not to get too attached.  I will take an interest in everything around me, and keep just a few basic rituals and possessions, a few small things, as my ‘home territory’.