Written by Charley Sunday
Life changes like starting a business or getting married are great things for your future. But even the most positive change can be tough to navigate. For tips on how to handle big life shifts, check out this guide from Subrosa Mental Services.
1. Getting Married
While about 70 percent of couples live together before marriage, that means 30 percent don’t. Getting married and moving in together can be a big change for both spouses. Combining your lives, routines, and belongings often creates conflict, and it can feel intimidating.
The first year of marriage is often the most tumultuous, notes Psychology Today, as spouses have to work together to communicate, resolve conflict, and compromise. It’s easy to lose yourself when you’re suddenly one-half of a married couple, so maintaining a separate identity from your spouse and marriage is a must.
Keep up with your favorite hobbies, start couples’ routines that complement your solo ones, and find ways to feel like yourself even as part of a married duo. For example, focus on adding comfy clothes to your wardrobe that help you feel your best. A flirty yet cozy nightgown, for example, might be a must-have.
2. Losing a Job
Losing a job can have a psychological impact that’s hard to recover from. People often report feeling guilt, anger, fear, and possibly relief after being let go from a job. The key to recovering and moving on is to avoid internalizing criticism or what-ifs.
Giving yourself time to grieve without wallowing is a smart way to move on from a job. Acknowledging that it might have been a good thing—especially if the work environment was toxic—can also help you move forward.
Once you have processed your emotions, start gathering materials for your resume and portfolio. Instead of printing out various documents, use a PDF merge tool to create a digital portfolio of your work. This deserves a look whether you are combining text documents, photos, or graphics, as it will help keep your best work organized and ready to share!
3. Changing Careers
Changing careers, whether you do so out of necessity or choice, can be a challenging process. To minimize the stress of the transition, start by defining the reason for a career change and what you hope to accomplish.
As NPR explains, changing careers is multifaceted and requires you to shift your mindset, habits, and decision-making. You might need to return to college, follow a self-study path, network with other professionals, or find a mentor.
Going back to college isn’t as scary as it sounds, and with the growing number of accredited online programs, you can attend class from the comfort of your home. If you’re considering pursuing a career in technology, this is a good option to consider. A degree in computer science can prepare you for a variety of tech-based careers, including coding, networking, and AI.
If your professional pivot includes a move to working from home, boundary-setting will also be essential. Keeping up self-care while working from home will help avoid burnout and ensure success on your new career path.
4. Starting a Business
Pursuing entrepreneurship is another life change with both positives and negatives. Launching a business enables you to scale your income, work how you want, and pursue something new. Yet entrepreneurial stress runs rampant, with some business owners even feeling proud of how harried they are.
Some stress—acute stress—is useful, but chronic stress due to work or anything else isn’t healthy. Balancing your passion for work with enough downtime to feel rejuvenated can help you approach work tasks more calmly. Taking care of business paperwork and taxes can also alleviate some stress.
Steps like forming an LLC help protect your assets, require less paperwork, and offer tax advantages compared to alternative business structures. Filing on your own or with a formation service also saves on lawyer expenses. Verify your state’s requirements to check all the legal and regulatory boxes before you file.
5. Buying a House
Buying a house is a big step that can lead to big emotions. A report from Zillow found that more than half of homebuyers break down and cry at least once during the process. Whether it’s financial stress, losing a bid on your dream home, or struggling to find properties, homebuying can be challenging.
Careful planning can help avoid some of the challenges of homebuying, especially if finances are the tricky piece. When touring homes, keep things in perspective and avoid getting caught up in daydreaming. Once you have the keys in hand, there will be plenty of time to celebrate and envision the future.
Manage Your Stress
Managing stress during periods of transition can be challenging, especially when the changes are significant. Although there are many strategies you can use to reduce stress levels, reaching out for professional help is an effective approach. Seeking therapy provides you with a safe and supportive environment where you can discuss your concerns and work on managing your stress levels. Subrosa Mental Services offers a variety of support services, including consultations, life coaching, and guidance on emotional support animals.
Another option to alleviate stress is gardening. Not only is it a great stress-relieving activity, but it also provides an opportunity to connect with nature. Being out in nature and having your hands in the soil can be incredibly good for your mental health. When you’re ready to start choosing plants, click here for great free resources.
Embrace the Change
Whether your new business is stressing you out or you’re unsure how to move forward after getting let go from a job, there’s always a way forward. On the other side of these challenges is a sense of accomplishment, pride, and passion for tackling life’s next challenge.
