Managing Fear When Everything Around You Is Changing
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Today, a domino fell into place that turns previously reversible changes into permanent ones.
After a two-month search, my employer, The Joy School, found my replacement. They offered her the job, and today, she accepted. She starts Monday. I'm truly excited for both her and the School. I think it's a wonderful fit, and I was heavily involved in the hiring process.
Still, I can't pretend it's easy to step out of the way as someone new comes in ready to take over.
Now it's permanent.
In addition, another domino fell into place today, as my future boss emailed me my start date.
Throughout the grad school application process, I spent many a moment anxious over what I'd do if I didn't get in. Once accepted, I tried to gather more information to make sure I was certain about being a full-time student, and in doing so, leaving my job of the past five years.
There was also talk of me sticking around at my job on a part-time or freelance basis. But then I looked into graduate assistantships and luckily found the perfect one. More and more dominoes have been strategically placed, and I have no idea what they'll look like when they're all laid out on the floor.
When asked how I feel, my pat, but honest answer is, "Scared, but excited!" Both feelings intensify with each new development.
I know I'm moving on from my job at the right time. I know I'm making the right decisions, but fear is still a factor.
How do I handle the fear?
Here are a few un-profound, basic strategies that have helped me keep my cool in times when I've been trying to give it away.
Preparation - Yesterday I began cleaning out my desk. Today I started digging into my first grad school assignment - a summer essay due on the first day of class. Taking action zaps the power out of "what ifs," and instead, empowers me.
Imagination - Leaning into the newness of it all, the fact that I love school, helps me focus more on the excitement aspect of change than the fear.
Mindfulness - When I am present enough to realize I'm not being present, I try to reel it back in. This helps keep my brain from spiraling out of control with those pesky "what ifs" again.
Appreciation - What I have now is all about to change; the stability, the income, the environment I know, and the folks I see every day. Knowing it'll be over soon makes me appreciate these facets of my life instead of taking them for granted.
Acceptance - This is what I wanted to happen. Hard as it is to believe sometimes, I'm the overseer of all these dominoes, and I put them where they are - or at least made room for them to be placed where I wanted them. This is the right path right now. I'm ready to see where it leads.
Do you have strategies for coping with fear? What have you found helpful? Share below!