Some of us get pleasantly jazzed up when we are going through change. We feel enervated and excited about what is and will be happening. However, more often, I notice that people (including me and my clients) experience a lot of stress and anxiety with change. Even if we know that we will be just fine on the other side, the not knowing and transition parts can unnerve the calmest of us. Do you remember a change you went through recently? How was the experiencing part for you? Did things go smoothly? Or, did you, at times, feel stressed and out of sorts?

As a professional organizer, the work I do with my clients is all about change. We are changing habits, transforming spaces, and rethinking busy schedules. We are working towards desired changes. It is the work and the “changing” part that can be stressful. 

How does the change-related stress show up? It might look like:

• A short fuse

• An angry burst

• Frustration

• Sadness from loss

• Overwhelm from too many choices

• Exhaustion

• Worry

• Pushback

• Canceled appointments

• Slow-paced organizing sessions

• Indecision

• Crying

• Digging in

The bottom line is that very often, when we are experiencing change, we aren’t at our best. This can be magnified if the change is unexpected or imposed on us. When we choose to change, it can still be stressful, but sometimes that positivity and motivation can help reduce the stress factor.

The situations that seem most stressful for my clients are:

• Moving

• Renovating

• Downsizing

• Losing a loved one

• Going through divorce

• Experiencing a health challenge

How can you alleviate some of the change-related stress? You can do one or more of the following:

• Acknowledge that you’re going through a transition.

• Be extra gentle with yourself.

• Focus on the basics of sleep, exercise, nutrition, and hydration.

• Reach out for professional and personal support.

• Practice saying “no.” 

• Reduce the scope of your commitments.

• Meditate.

• Adjust your expectations.

• Do something fun.

• Do something relaxing.

• Celebrate the small successes.

What else have you experienced or noticed in yourself or others when going through change? What helps you alleviate change-related stress? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to comment and join our conversation.

Have you noticed how many of our conversations these days are centered on change? My clients talk about making organizational changes in their lives to feel less stressed, cluttered, and overwhelmed. Friends and family talk about making personal and professional changes to discover new places, learn new things, or embrace a significant life transition. Even in yoga class, teachers and students have change-like thoughts on their minds.

Change is one of the topics I love writing and conversing about most. What I also have noticed is that while we might want change to happen, we are often less clear about how to begin. Also, we might wish to change, but we aren’t necessarily ready or willing to do what’s needed for that change to occur. So with these thoughts in mind, I propose three ideas to help you while you’re navigating that unclear phase. They revolve around the word wander.

3 New Ideas to Inspire Change

“Wander” mug

This time of year with colder, winter days, I’m a huge hot tea drinker. Even as I write this post, I’m in good company with my big cup of tea. There are several mugs that I prefer.  One of my favorites has the word “Wander” on the front. As I sip my tea, I’m reminded that while plans and direction are an essential part of my life, I also need time to wander and explore. While the opportunity for discovery is available at any moment, it’s primarily in these open, white-space times that I can be relaxed enough to be mindful of and notice what I might otherwise miss. So if you are not sure what change you want to make, give yourself some wander time and see what transpires from there.

“Not all who wander are lost.”

On one of my suitcases, I have a luggage tag with this phrase. When I travel, I like to know the details and timing for things. At least, I prefer to know the basics like the dates of travel, flight times, ground transportation arrangements, sleeping accommodations, and the basic structure for the time away. However, I don’t like to over plan. Trips can vary in nature if they are for business or leisure. And even though those types of travel have a different feel to them, I like to keep the “wander” concept in mind. Particularly when I travel, my antenna is sharper than usual. Being out of my typical environment, I’m more apt to notice new patterns, connect ideas, and open my thoughts to other possibilities. Consider how this phrase of “Not all who wander are lost,” can encourage you to infuse the unknown and exploration into your days at home or while traveling. Change ideas and clarity can be inspired from the most unexpected places.

“Lost, but making good time.”

One of the things my husband and I like to joke about is the phrase, “Lost, but making good time.” It comes up in many ways. For example, when we are driving somewhere new and get lost (yes, that still happens even when using Google maps,) one of us will say, “Lost, but making good time.” Instead of feeling irritated that we’re lost, saying these words makes us laugh. It takes away the stress and angst. When we first moved to the Hudson Valley, we frequently drove around to wander the area. We’d try getting lost on purpose. Again, one of us would say the phrase. We joyfully leaned into the idea of intentionally being lost. That’s what I offer to you. The change we seek isn’t always visible. We can’t force clarity. If you embrace the “lost” time, at some point, you will find your way to where you want to go. And sometimes we have to take the time to remain lost a little while longer before we can arrive.

What has inspired change for you? Do any of these ideas resonate? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to add a comment and join the conversation!

Several months ago, while on a day-trip adventure visiting the New York Botanical Garden, I stopped in their gift shop to look around. They had beautiful, healthy plants for sale. One, in particular, caught my attention. It was a small, happy plant with a life-affirming sense about it. Even though the plant was still, its bright green leaves appeared to dance and swirl with joyful movement. I brought it home and placed it on my kitchen counter. Every time it catches my glance, it makes me smile. Are you wondering what this story has to do with perspective shifts, change, and fresh starts?  Please stick with me. I’m getting there.

A week ago, I noticed that my happy plant wasn’t looking so good. The leaves had some brown spots and were droopy. The soil was moist, so it didn’t need watering.  I admit that while I love plants, my husband is the green thumb of the house. He waters, cares for, and repots them as needed. I am the resident enjoyer. However, this little guy needed something right away. While we have natural light in our kitchen, the plant wasn’t getting direct sunlight like some of our others. So I decided to move it to the windowsill in the dining room. I thought it might thrive more in a different location. 

Within a day, my plant perked up and looked like its happy self again. It clearly responded to the new view and sun-filled spot. And sometimes, it’s that simple. When we cease to thrive, making one tiny change can give us that energy boost and fresh start we need. If you think of yourself like the plant, it was enjoying its corner until it wasn’t. A change was needed. Do you ever feel that way? You are ok, and then you’re not. You are thriving, and then a life shift or transition happens, and what used to work no longer does. Or maybe you just become complacent staying in the same place? Is that a familiar experience?

When this happens, we might think that a significant change is warranted. But sometimes, one small shift in perspective, location, or routine can provide the spark that’s necessary to move you forward in a positive direction.

Where are you feeling stagnant? What slight shift can you make that will encourage a fresh start? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to leave a comment and join the conversation.

There are as many definitions of success as there are roads to get there. I’ve become acutely aware that in this transition time with summer ending and fall beginning, there is one consistent thread for me that is grounding and inspiring. It is spending time in nature. As many of you know, I especially love being on or near the water, which is therapeutic, calming, and centering.

Being outdoors allows me to move or be still, think and observe, sense, and capture. It encourages me to feel my way forward.

Maybe it’s too over the top to even say this, but I consider nature’s positive influence to be my number one success hack for my life. Can I really call it a hack? I’m not sure. One of the things I find so inspiring about nature is how change continually happens. For me, as someone that works on being flexible, change isn’t so simple. I’m encouraged when I see a new season boldly pushing forth. In the northeast, as the daylight shortens and the temperatures cool slightly, some leaves are changing colors, others remain bright green, and some have already withered and fallen.

Just like me, nature’s shift is a work in progress. I feel a connection that I, too, am entering a season of change. There will be experiments leading to successes and failures. There will be alterations of plans, goals, and ideas. There will be new opportunities to pursue as I embrace the change of seasons outside and within.

In this short video are places I’ve explored in the last few months that have allowed me to be and to imagine. I hope it inspires you to discover places that speak to you. Make time to rejuvenate and nourish your being. Success will be yours with a more relaxed, focused, and nurtured self.

What are you noticing? What helps you create success? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation!