Change is scary, but growth demands it. While jumping right in is overwhelming for most, it’s also the quickest path to delicious transformation on the other side (friendly reminder: there’s always an ‘other side’). We love this personal reflection on the topic from holistic health and wellness coach, Nicole Granato. Read all about her recent journey through heartbreak, healing and the inspiring outcome that followed, then take a peek at our toolbox below for a few resources to help embrace change on your own path…
Transformation comes into our lives when we least expect it. We grow, we learn as we shed the old and start new; we begin to reflect on our change. What brought us here? Was it painful? In most cases, the best change is not easy. It usually begins after something stable in our life comes crashing down on us. Our reality blows up in front of us and we are left asking the hard questions. Who am I? What do I want and what will I do to get it?
I ended this last year with all of these questions. I got my heart brutality broken in the summer and continued to keep myself in the situation that nearly destroyed me. I watched as I started to lose myself more and more. I went through a cycle of depression, confusion and anger. What I realized later was that I had complete control of what was happening, but I continued to keep myself in a situation that was causing me pain with a person who broke my heart. Slowly everyday trying to pull myself out of my own sadness, I began to ask the universe for what I wanted. I asked for clarity and the strength to move past the pain, attachment and anger and I also asked the universe to help me understand why this needed to happen. I wrote this down on a piece of paper and stored it away to find later.
Around six months later, all of the clarity and answers I had been seeking were slowly revealing themselves. I started waking up with a feeling inside my body I had never experienced before. It was a feeling of acceptance and the strength to move forward to fight for what I truly wanted – and that is exactly what I did.
I suddenly had the strength to move forward into the unknown with all my fear and ups and downs of emotions, trusting the universe to guide me. I learned the meaning of surrendering to everything I thought was, a reality I was trying to build out of broken promises and heart ache. I surrendered to what was, knowing I did my best and I loved myself more than to stay in any situation that did not serve my highest good. My dreams suddenly were coming true and all it took was for me to take one big step out of what I knew was not right into the unknown. Not ignoring my fear, but inviting it to join me on my quest.
What does this comes down to really? I listened to my body, I took my heartbreak and mended it and didn’t give up on trusting there was a much bigger meaning to these events in my life. I continued to trust the universe and never stopped asking it for what I wanted. What I did come to realize was that as I was mending my broken heart and reflecting on my life, my wants and desires became more and more clear and I became more relentless in wanting to fight for them.
I do not have all the answers for the future or even tomorrow, but what I do know is I was once a person who dreamed of having the strength to overcome my fears and obstacles, and now am a person who did and am still doing so every day. What I want to share with you is that, yes, it’s terrifying and, yes, you will doubt yourself one million times and want to run back the other way. Just keep moving forward to your truth and to what you desire. At the end of the day you will become a prisoner of your own limitations set by your fears if you don’t, and that is something you will definitely face someday. You are way too brave and strong to do that! Take the plunge – the best transformation comes from that which terrifies you!
4 Mindful Ways To Embrace Change
Turn In: We love these meditation phone apps for on-the-go access to peace of mind, or to bolster our practice with a extra guidance when we’re feeling frazzled. This super simple breathwork exercise is another mindful way to get out of your head and into your body where your intuition awaits.
Talk To Yourself: It’s easy to get caught up in a flood of ‘what-ifs’ in the face of big change. Take a moment to reflect and put it down in words. Write yourself a letter (you can record yourself talking if writing is too much), or try mapping it out in a manifestation journal with this easy guide to starting one.
Be Grateful: Instead of equating change to loss, cultivate awareness of all the good that still remains. Anchor in gratitude by practicing self-care, whether that’s rocking your favorite fitness class, pampering yourself with an at-home spa sesh, committing to a new healthy habit, or simply cooking up a healthy meal you’re proud of.
Be Brave: When times are tough, self-love is everything (grab a few of our favorite tips for that here). Challenge yourself to practice positive thinking, and work to build up inner strength. We love this yogi’s guide for finding it in mind, body and soul. Be brave, embrace change and watch yourself flourish!
What is your natural reaction to major transitions?
What do you do to embrace change?
Share your story in the comments below!
