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Coping with the Fear of Change

     It is natural to worry about change, especially when it is abrupt.  Change means dealing with uncomfortable situations, new experiences, mistakes being made, and learning curves.  When we think about this, the anxiety starts to kick in, questions race through the mind, and the negatives become the primary focus.  This is natural.  We strive to be comfortable and avoid the unknown.  We cannot control the unknown and therefore do not trust what the outcome of change will be.  This is where the anxiety lies.
     We actively fear the unknown due to a lack of control.  We do not know what will happen and are therefore uneasy.  Unfamiliarity has always been incorporated with change, and as such causes us to worry about the consequences.  The majority of people make up scenarios in their heads regarding the outcome, both positive and negative, but focusing primarily on the negative.  We believe what we find comfortable is more appealing than what change has in store.  Of course, this is not always the case, but most of us cannot help but ponder.
     There is no specific way of dealing with this fear.  Everybody is different and has their own method of coping and acceptance.  However, some general advice would be to focus on the positive aspects rather than the negative.  Some may see it as a simple change, but when we steer towards the negative all of the time, it can be difficult at first.  The negativity we associate with change is the catalyst that sparks our fears.  Changes are automatically thought of as bad and therefore uncomfortable.  The more change is looked at in a positive light, the easier it is to accept it.  Even if the change turns out to be negative, focusing on any positives will help in adjusting.  In a way, it is beneficial for change to result in negativity because we learn how to deal with adverse results.  This not only makes change less of a shock but gives us a heightened appreciation for when positive outcomes occur.
     It is also beneficial to be reminded of how change becomes easier when adjusting begins.  People fear change the most before it has even occurred due to overthinking.  When they are finally adjusting, the anxiety decreases.  As time goes on, the changes merge into the person’s routine, eventually becoming one.  As a result, the stress-inducing, detrimental changes that kept you up at night are now associated with your normal schedule.  Chances are, you have been this person in a similar situation; a new school, changing jobs, coping with death, etc.  We hated the change at first but learned to either live with it or be comfortable dealing with it.  Now, what we feared is either what we fear to lose or a normal part of our lives.  So, the next time you are afraid of a change, remember a time where your fears turned to routine.  Remind yourself that future change will most likely be similar to those experiences.  Like positivity, the more you do this, the easier change will be to deal with.  A year from now, you will wonder why you were so worried.
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