Graduating, starting a new job or course, switching careers, starting or ending a romantic relationship, moving abroad, moving home…these are just some of the changes we experience as we grow older!

Read on for 4 different kinds of change you can expect to encounter in your journey, and how you can deal with them 💓

4 Types of Change

There are four types of change that we will experience one way or the other in life. While each of these types of change can occur on their own, they can overlap too.

The key thing that we encourage you to remember is that change CAN be beneficial!

1) Change that happens TO us

This can be understood as an unexpected or unforeseen change that’s outside of our control and affects our personal lives, careers, families and/or relationships.

For example, your university implements a new system regarding the registration of your modules — you can no longer bid for them, instead it’s ‘fastest fingers first’. This affects your life directly because you may now have to re-organise your entire timetable or restructure your schedule to register for the modules.

There may be little you can do about such changes depending on your circumstances! 

This type of change can foster personal growth by pushing you out of your comfort zone and expanding your boundaries.  It can challenge your pre-existing beliefs and assumptions and lead you to learn something new about yourself and your potential to adapt to change!

2) Change that happens around us

This is a change that affects our community, nation or even the world.  This kind of change could also have an impact on our personal lives, careers, families and relationships. 

Take the recent COVID-19 pandemic — it resulted in significant changes to society. How we work, socialise, travel, seek healthcare and do business have all changed post COVID-19.

Aside from that, we can all surely pinpoint how our own personal lives were affected by the fear of an unknown illness, social isolation and spending extended time with the people in our household.

This type of change can not only foster personal growth but also lead to strengthened and enriched relationships with the people around you.

We cannot deny that COVID-19 has bonded us as a society and led to significant improvements in the way we treat one another! Take for example the way the community rallied together to improve the conditions of migrant workers during the pandemic.

When you go through changes together with others, your relationships inevitably become stronger as you rely on each other to weather the storm!

3) Change that happens within us

Change that happens within us can be understood as things that directly affect who we are — our mindset and outlook on life. This change can affect us physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually. These kinds of changes often have the most impact on our lives.

With these changes, we have the most control. We can usually determine how things turn out and how long the change will last.

Changes like these can be caused by external factors or by internal factors, and it’s important for us to also screen what we allow to change us.

A negative example of how an external influence can affect change within us could be a betrayal or rejection that leads us to become less trusting of others. 

The good thing is, we have the power to mitigate any negative effects and transform the outcome into a positive one! In this type of change we might encounter uncertainties and challenges which can build our resilience and adaptability.

We can learn how to better manage setbacks and even develop problem-solving skills, which will help us to navigate any future changes with confidence and ease!

4) Change that we initiate

This kind of change is expected or anticipated — because we intentionally enforce it.

This could look like plans and actions that we deliberately undertake in order to change our lives for the better. Perhaps you wish to be more healthy — starting to exercise for 30 minutes every day is a change that you can initiate to make this happen!

The great thing about this kind of change is that it’s not a surprise to you. You have total control over it — only you can create it and stick with it. This can expose you to a wealth of new perspectives, experiences and opportunities!

It can also cultivate compassion and empathy as we recognize that everyone has their own struggles and are on their own journey.

Change can broaden our worldview, dismantle biases, and foster a greater appreciation for diversity and inclusivity. As you change and grow, you’ll become more empathetic towards others too!

How does change make you feel?

Nervous? Scared? Excited? Apprehensive? Hopeful?

Feeling these emotions are perfectly normal!

Change is like riding a roller coaster of emotions. It can be exciting, like when you discover a new passion or embark on a new adventure. It can also be scary, making you feel uncertain or anxious about what's coming next. 

But remember, change is an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. If you embrace it, we promise that you'll find yourself soaring to new heights you never thought was possible.

So don’t let fear of change cripple or hold you back! A crucial thing to take to heart is that while we cannot always control change — we can learn how to respond to it in a positive way. 

Getting through Change

While change is inevitable, it doesn’t make it any less scary. Being afraid of change is normal.

In fact, we are more inclined to find comfort in routine and security and any change — big or small — upsets this. The key to getting through it all is resilience, and we’ve got some tips on how you can develop and sustain it!

1) Embrace and Adapt

One of the key aspects of resilience is the ability to adapt to new circumstances. Instead of resisting or fearing change, try to approach it with an open mind and view it as an opportunity for growth!

Practise flexibility by adjusting your mindset and being willing to explore different perspectives and possibilities. Embracing change with adaptability can help you navigate uncertain waters and bounce back stronger.

2) Find a Supportive Network

During times of change, it's crucial to surround yourself with a supportive network of family, friends, or mentors who can offer you encouragement and guidance. Reach out to your loved ones and share your thoughts and feelings about the changes you're experiencing.

Connecting with others who have faced similar challenges can also provide valuable insights and reassurance. They can give you advice and emotional support — and you trust that it comes from experience! 

3) Focus on Self-Care

When going through change, it's essential to prioritise self-care to maintain your resilience. Take care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being by engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. This could include exercise, practising mindfulness, pursuing hobbies you love, eating comfort foods, or spending time in nature. 

By nourishing your own mental and physical well-being, you’ll be better equipped to face the challenges that come with change and remain resilient!

How to Support Friends Through Change

Know a friend going through a major change? You can support them through it in 3 simple ways! 

1) Practise Active Listening and Empathy

Going through change and the resulting emotions are unique to each individual. As friends, it’s important for us to listen attentively to what our friends are saying and show empathy.

Try to understand their emotions and create a safe space for them to express them.

2) Provide Practical Help

You can also support friends in a practical way - such as offering them advice or connecting them with the resources that will help them deal with change. Everyone has access to different resources, and referring your friend to a useful book, website or even a counsellor can really help them on their journey.

3) Celebrate and Encourage Progress

Change isn’t always negative — celebrate your friends' milestones and achievements! Offer them encouragement and continue to motivate them during the change process.

It could be daunting but in the end, change is good. Attend a Friendzone event for a change — we promise you that you will walk away with new friends, new perspectives and possibly a new skill too!

Love, 

The Friendzone Team