Dear Misfits,
I have never been one who adapts well to change, and I am currently making the biggest change of my life: I am transitioning to my dream career. Even with taking it “one step at a time” as they say, my anxiety level is off the charts. Even the simplest things: checking the mail, grocery shopping, and other mundane tasks are exhausting me. These are tasks I’ve never had trouble with before, even during very stressful times. Now, I have to have family members with me as “back-up” to help me run errands, because there are times where I can’t get out of the car: my stomach twists, my chest constricts, and I end up on the verge of a panic attack. I know that once the transition is over, I will be back to my old self, but do you have any tips for helping me keep my anxiety level in check until the dust settles?
Sincerely,
Anxious 4 Change
First, take a deep breath. Now take at least five more. Transitioning can definitely be overwhelming, especially if you’re launching yourself into uncharted waters. Rememeber, though change is good, it is not for the faint of heart, but you CAN do it.
A task list can be very helpful. If you have a few errands to run in a day, plan your route ahead and give yourself a limited time to complete these tasks. If you need to go for groceries but this idea freaks you out, and you catch yourself procrastinating, commit yourself to a time. “At 2pm I will go to the grocery store.” Your decision has been made, there’s nothing else to think about. Channel your inner Nike and just do it.
I also suggest planning to do these things at a quieter time, ie. Walmart/Costco/Home Depot on a Saturday afternoon probably isn’t the place for you. I also encourage people to shop local and support smaller retailers. Whether preparing to go out, or driving in your car, listen to relaxing music. It’s been proven that fast, loud music not only increases heartrate and makes people more impatient, but they also tend to drive faster.
When you return from your mission, you may feel depleted. The best thing to do in this instance is to lie flat on your back and do some deep breathing exercises for fifteen to twenty minutes. When you feel recharged, you can take a look at that task list again.
Need some advice? Ask a Misfit! We are always here with our two cents of not so common sense: rebekah@misfitsandmascara.com or krissy@misfitsandmascara.com (or both!).
