A twelve-part series of wellbeing articles, bringing us through each month of the year.
May (Mental Health Awareness Month)
Surviving and thriving in the fast pace of change
“You better start swimming or you’ll sink like a stone, cause the times they are a changing” – Bob Dylan
Modern life consistently thrusts massive change upon us – we can’t stop it, but we can view it as a difficult but necessary part of successful living. We can protect our health & wellbeing by practicing self-care in order to face it. This can be done by learning to pace projects, by recognising our worth at work, and by working on the connection to the people in our lives. During these times of rapid change, we have a choice; we can be passive observers, or active adaptors.
The current rate of change either at work, or in our personal lives is unprecedented. Change is exciting but it can be uncomfortable. The world in five years will be fundamentally different – if you’ve young kids imagine the fact, that they might never even drive a car. What they learn and study today will have little to do with the career they choose in the future. To live and succeed in such a fast paced society and workplace environment, a self-care plan is needed.
Self-care through the lens of May.
The transition from spring to summer is the easiest one. If you rested enough during the winter and paced yourself into spring, you should feel the potential energy of the oncoming year and feel the earths vitality. If you didn’t rest appropriately, then now is a great time to practice this difficult behaviour, that is generally frowned upon by modern society. Rest is the new rebellion; knowing when to say no, and practicing self-care can seem like a radical act.
In May we move into a welcomed period of connection – Summer ceremonies and celebrations start here. There is a freshness in the air. Revive your ties to the outer world and ease into the fold of socialisation. Can you renew relationships that went dormant over the winter? Seek a friend to walk, talk, go to the coast with, or try something new?
Self-care - Pacing Change
We’ve created a culture where we consistently need to do more, in order to feel like we are enough. A certain unconscious work culture exists, that equates how busy and productive you are, with how important you feel. We are conditioned to wear productivity as a badge, to push on, with little time to process. Personnel at times, report a pressure of feeling like they are falling behind and the need to constantly worry about keeping up. Give yourself permission to have those days when less gets done. We are not machines, we need rest, fun and meaning in our work. What separates us from machines, is the fact that we can bring our individuality to what we do rather than the amount we get done.
The anxiety of change
Throughout the year nature goes through the cycles of death, birth and renewal. Human’s too, naturally go through cycles of endings and beginnings. Our role’s in relationships, at work and at home, naturally change through time. One moment you may feel important to someone, then as that relationship evolves you may lose that sense of being needed. You find yourself feeling lost and uncertain, as your roles in life change. This anxiety can occur during positive times e.g. as our children grow older, when we change career, or after a work promotion. Garda Personnel in the early stages of their new role (as the new challenges and difficulties kick in) may rue their decision in having sought promotion in the first instance.
The anxiety of changeand uncertainty also hits us in other times, such as relationship break downs, or when we experience the loss of a loved one. Our whole world view can change. Even watching our elderly parents growing older, creates a type of death anxiety that isn’t spoken about. We can protect our health by being aware of the unconscious burdens we carry, and practicing self-kindness every day.
After each transition in life, you must allow a time of slowing down, or even celebration, to mark, reflect and process. How do you mark your significant transitions in life?
Accepting change and letting go, as a necessity to living a full life.
Change, although difficult and at times devastating, we must see it as part of the natural cycle of a fulfilling and ever evolving life. Change can be fierce and wild and not shaped the way you wanted. Change can come in the guise of a crisis in relationships, and/or health difficulties. Recognise that sometimes life will force us into new ways of being. To survive and thrive you make your own changes. What beliefs or patterns do you need to change? After significant relationship and career change, you must revise the beliefs about who you are, and what you are capable of.
In May new life above the earth brings hope to your heart, and reinforces the knowledge that we will grow and bloom.Remember that by making the same choices each day you keep yourself in the same familiar life, but we do have power in all this change. Make sure to be an active adaptor to change rather than a passive observer. It pays to pace ourselves, to stay strong, so we can manage the anxiety and exhaustion that can coincide with change.
In this fast paced society; it is important to remember
What one small action or thought, would expand your life this week?
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