WELLNESS & WELL-BEING
Seven Ways to Embrace
Unexpected Change
By Sharee Silerio
T
here are certain things in life that we expect to change:
when spring turns into summer, summer turns to fall,
and fall to winter. We assume the sun will rise and set,
and holidays will come and go.
Though there are parts of life that we can count on,
many of life’s moments catch us off guard, interrupt our routines and
force us out of our comfort zones - from an illness or the death of a
loved one, to the end of a friendship or losing a job.
In the blink of an eye, life can take us on a route we never envisioned.
You might feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. You
might not know what to do or where to go. In the midst of a major life
change, here are a few ways you can stay grounded, focused and uplifted.
1. Remind yourself of who you are. Don’t forget what you’ve been
4. Surround yourself with people who care about you. Love
is empowering, encouraging, and everything you need to build and
maintain a hopeful perspective on things.
5. Take a look at how others have gotten through what you’re
going through. Knowing that you aren’t the only one who’s been
through your situation will help you believe that you can do it, too.
6. Distance yourself from negative people, places and things.
Destructive energy hinders your progress, so avoid it at all costs.
7. Allow yourself to be human. Let yourself feel, and then acknowledge
all of your emotions, worries, limits and weaknesses. Next, identify the
ways you can respond to them with compassion, wisdom and optimism.
through in the past, including how you got through it.
2. Choose what honors your worth. Decide what resolutions, actions
and beliefs align with your inherent value, and let them guide you.
Realize that your life may never be what it was before, but that doesn’t
mean it can’t be just as wonderful - or better. Let go of the expectations you
had, and accept what is. It is the only way you’ll be able to heal, move on, grow,
thrive and become a better version of yourself as you move through it.
3. Take care of you. Do what you need to do to get your mind, body
and soul in a strong, peaceful condition. This might include journaling,
taking walks, reading, or whatever you do to tend to yourself.
Silerio is a St. Louis-based freelance writer, a blogger, and a film and TV writer
and producer. Her work has appeared in The Root, Curly Nikki and The St. Louis
American. For more information, visit shareesilerio.com or sincerelysharee.com.
SAVVY I SOPHISTICATED I SASSY
89