The impact of change: finding a new equilibrium

Jan 20, 2019

In this post I consider the impact of change – significant personal change – and what we can do to cope with this kind of change in our lives.

It’s January as I write, the start of a New Year and, unsurprisingly, I’ve been thinking back over the year that has just passed, and in particular the impact of the changes that have happened.

For me and my family it has been a pretty big year.

We moved from Australia to Scotland. We took the kids out of school and away from the lives that they’ve known since birth. We took my wife away from her home country and we moved to the other side of the world.

And although I’m from Britain, I’ve never lived in Scotland before and I’ve had to start a new job in a new organisation, in a different role, in a different city.

So pretty much everything has changed for all of us.

I’ve written quite a lot about the subject of change because it is something that is becoming more and more the norm for all of us all in our working lives. The reality is that it is exceptional when things are not changing in most organisations.

Indeed the organisation that I’ve joined is itself going through a period of huge change that started before I got there will continue throughout the coming years.

But, the truth is we’ve been struggling quite a lot as a family, as we get used to the impact of change – living in a new place, trying to build up new contacts, new routines and so on. And it has been quite instructive for me, and quite challenging too, to see first-hand how this change is affecting those around me – the people that I love.

I was discussing this with my wife, talking over some of the difficulties that we’ve had and, as we talked, an analogy came to mind that helps explain what we’ve been going through.

It seemed to me that this kind of significant change is a bit like being taken blindfolded and set down in a wilderness far from home.

You don’t know where anything is, there are no paths and no signposts to anywhere.

You have to decide where you want to go and you have to cut the path through the wilderness as you go. Sometimes you go off in the wrong direction and you have to come back and start again, thinking carefully about what might be the better direction to go in.

And eventually, you do begin to carve out these paths and the more that you use the paths, the easier they are to travel on and the more familiar the journeys become.

Change is hard because we are grappling with the unfamiliar.

The things that we do habitually we can do without any real thought because we’re used to doing them. Thus, there is no struggle in working out what to do in the morning as you shower, brush your teeth and so on, because these are routines you are familiar with.

Yet, there is an increased cognitive load when you are working on things that you haven’t done before, within new systems and with different processes, or you’re building new relationships with new people.

These experiences are tough, but gradually, as you find your way through change to a kind of new equilibrium, you feel more comfortable and under less strain.

So what the last year has demonstrated to me clearly is that you can’t help but have struggles when you go through the change but that each step you take helps establish your new reality.

Here are some aspects of the psychological impact of change that are worth becoming familiar with if you are experiencing significant change in your life.

Factors influencing the impact of change

Personality

Your personality plays a significant role in how you react to change. Some individuals may be more adaptable and open to new experiences, while others might find it challenging to let go of familiar routines. Your emotional stability and tolerance for ambiguity can also impact your acceptance and adjustment to change.

Mindset

The way you perceive change and your mindset towards it can influence your reaction. A growth mindset, where you believe that change offers possibilities for growth and improvement, will help you be more open and positive. On the other hand, a fixed mindset, thinking that change is threatening and should be resisted, can lead to increased anxiety and resistance.

Uncertainty and uncertainty bias

Uncertainty is an inevitable part of change, but it can be a source of stress for many people. Uncertainty bias refers to the tendency to focus more on negative aspects or the unknowns related to change, which exacerbates anxiety and might lead to unfavourable outcomes. By acknowledging and managing this bias, you can better cope with change and its associated uncertainties.

Support system

Having a strong support system, such as friends, family, and colleagues, can significantly impact your reaction to change. It’s crucial to engage with others who are going through similar experiences or who can provide emotional and practical support during challenging times. A strong support system has been shown to minimise stress and improve adaptation to change, contributing to more positive outcomes.

The impact of change: common emotional reactions

Stress and anxiety

When you experience significant change in your life, it’s natural to feel stress and anxiety. Changes can make you feel uncertain or create a sense of loss, which results in increased levels of stress and anxiety. To cope with stress, it’s crucial to identify your sources of stress and use healthy coping mechanisms, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, or seeking support from friends and family.

Depression

Significant changes can also lead to feelings of depression. I know from personal experience that this is especially true if the changes in your life involve loss, disappointment, or a sense of helplessness.

It’s important to recognise the signs of depression and seek help if needed, as untreated depression can have long-term consequences on your mental health. If you suspect that you are experiencing depression, it’s critical to reach out to a mental health professional.

Adjustment Issues

Adjusting to a significant change in your life can be challenging, and you might experience adjustment issues as you adapt to your new circumstances. These issues may manifest as emotional, cognitive, or behavioural changes.

For example, you might feel overwhelmed, have difficulty concentrating, or experience shifts in your sleep patterns. Learning healthy coping strategies can help you manage adjustment issues and ease the transition more smoothly.

For example, regular meditation practice, yoga or other exercise can help to calm your mind periodically. This then gives you cognitive space to process what is happening to you and get used to what is new.

Remember, it’s normal to experience a range of emotions when facing significant life changes. It’s important to acknowledge and address these feelings, and seek support if you need it.

Coping with significant change

Acceptance

Acceptance is a crucial step in coping with significant change. It’s important to acknowledge the change you’re facing, and understand that it’s a normal part of life. Embrace the fact that change can bring about new opportunities and growth. Remember, resisting change can only make the transition more difficult for you. So, try to be open and accepting of the situation, and start focusing on adapting to it.

Resilience

Building resilience is a critical aspect of coping with significant change. Resilience refers to your ability to bounce back from adversities and adapt to new situations. To cultivate resilience, try:

Practicing self-compassion: Be kind to yourself and acknowledge that change is difficult for everyone.
Empathise with others: helping others is a good way to turn the focus from yourself to prevent rumination and worry. Helping others has also been shown to improve your own sense of life satisfaction.
Emphasising self-care: Ensure you maintain a healthy lifestyle, exercise regularly, and get sufficient sleep.
Maintaining a positive outlook: Focus on the potential growth and opportunities that the change may bring.
Strengthening social connections: Engage with your support network, as strong relationships can help you navigate through challenging times.

By developing resilience, you’ll be better equipped to face changes head-on and emerge stronger from the experience.

To summarise, significant change can have both positive and negative impacts on your wellbeing and life satisfaction. Adaptation is key in managing these changes, and you can develop healthy coping strategies and engage in activities like exercise to maintain your mental health.

You can find all of my posts on change can be found here.