Embracing Change: New Season, New Skills

By Amara Fauntleroy, Therapist in Training

Entering the Fall and Winter seasons can bring much stress and anxiety. These seasons feature many family holidays, significant weather changes, earlier sunsets and more indoor activities. The sadness that accompanies this change can be associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or Seasonal Depression. But what happens when we reframe our thoughts to embrace these changes and welcome new beginnings that these seasons can bring?

Nature can offer us new ways of thinking and bring us closer to the beings we want to embody. As the leaves fall, this not only means Fall is here or that Winter is coming, but that we can also let go of the things that are no longer serving us. We can then bloom in the Spring and enjoy the fruits of our labor in the summer. Just as nature goes through seasons, we do too, but unlike nature, we can see and process this change in the world and in ourselves. This can be looked at through the concept of Radical Acceptance, which is the acceptance of reality and what will be, despite the hardships that we may face.

What can happen if we embrace change?

🍂You may begin to find opportunities in change, even if change seems scary or challenging.

🍂Clinging to impermanence can cause anxiety, therefore accepting that things may be temporary can encourage flexibility and increase appreciation for the present. Each season may bring its own highs and lows, but ultimately, it builds resilience. The more resilient we are, the more prepared we are for change.

🍂We give ourselves permission to experience the grief of letting go of the past and move forward, embracing what the future has in store for us. Embracing change of any kind enables us to build resilience. Resilience allows us to overcome and adapt to adversity that may show up in our daily lives. This could be in the workplace, relationships, parenthood, etc. As discussed, new seasons can bring new challenges, but reframing how we view change can create space for us to grow, expand and self-actualize.

How do we embrace change?

❄️Reflect inward and consider how this change can help you become closer to the person you are or aspire to be. As you reflect, practice compassion and kindness toward yourself, and try to find the positives within change.

❄️Lean on your support network to empower you during times of change. We all need someone to rely on in periods of transition, and having at least one person by your side can help you feel more prepared for what lies ahead.

❄️Incorporate mindfulness into your daily life. When you feel overwhelmed or consumed by worry and anxiety about what “should be,” use breathing techniques such as Box Breathing, engage your senses by noticing smells, sights, sounds, touches and tastes, or practice meditation (like yoga or guided sessions). These strategies can help you challenge rigid beliefs about change and foster more positive, accepting thoughts.

❄️Recognize change as a fact, not a misfortune. Facts are exactly what they are, and there’s no reason to fight against them. By seeing change as a fact, we stop resisting and instead accept it, allowing us to focus on our next steps with the knowledge we have.

Struggling to embrace radical acceptance? Schedule a free consultation with a therapist to help you cultivate your innate resilience and develop a practice of weathering change.