Dealing with Change
“As I walked out that door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison” – Nelson Mandela.
This quote encompasses my process of dealing with change over the past 9 months since I started my first year at King’s College London. And no, it’s not the ‘daunting’ prospect of moving from school to uni that I was dealing with, rather the resentment I felt at my past (long story short, attending a school where I experienced racism). But I am not a victim, and my story is not what this post is about.
I want to encourage other people to be less daunted by change because of the opportunities that change can bring, and the personal growth you are bound to experience because of a transition. When I started university I was (and still am) so excited at the prospect of everyday brining something new. I was not scared, anxious or worried at all because:
Firstly, I had the expectation of greatness (more on that later).
Secondly, I had done so much personal work on myself that I was fully prepared for the challenge that change brings with it. By this I mean I cultivated a positive mindset where I was able to be grateful for even minute things that would happen day to day, in order to create a larger picture of thankfulness. I would also fill myself with the enthusiasm of opportunities that lay ahead of me, and felt blessed that I could plan out my life and couldn’t (and still cannot) wait to see how it will unfold.
When going through a period of transition, it is 100% okay, and even great to feel some melancholy and hold a bitter-sweet attitude, because this allows for reflection on the things you have experienced in your past, allowing you, in your own time, to close the chapter you are about to depart from. I am a true advocate of letting your feelings out, and I genuinely feel it’s so important to allow yourself to process your feelings as you are feeling them, otherwise this will lead to bottled-up emotions, followed my self-resentment and internal anger, released in a chaotic emotional outburst.
The expectation of greatness – what is it? This is a name I’ve attached to a concept introduced to me by Kevin Trudeau, an incredible speaker and author who in his CD series ‘Your wish is your command’ explains in more detail Napoleon Hill’s ‘Think and Grow Rich’. In short, “I don’t know how, but I know everything is going to work out great for me” is the mindset we have to hold whenever something new, daunting or challenging comes our way. We have to believe that greater things will come about in order to manifest these occurrences in our life.
Lastly, we have to keep moving forward: “If you can’t fly then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl. But whatever you do you have to keep moving forward”. This is another powerful quote by Martin Luther King, who embodies the very idea of persistence and perseverance. No matter how small the step and no matter the situation, moving forward is what will help you get through the rough transition and deal with change. Moving forward will maintain a healthy state of mind and allow you to manifest a life of your dreams.
Check out my radio show on dealing with change here!
Love, Munia 😊