Unexpected circumstances can be both troubling and scary. Unless it’s something exciting like a sudden influx of money or the unexpected arrival of a long-lost friend, situations that arise out of the blue can throw you off-kilter. However, the important thing to remember is that you can handle whatever comes your way. Whether it’s a job loss, the death of a loved one, or an unanticipated health issue, there are ways you can manage the situation. We explore a few of those below.
Pause, Don’t React Right Away
When life throws a curveball, your first instinct can be to react and respond right away. While it’s good to be proactive in some cases, being emotionally reactive to a situation can lead you to make the wrong decisions. When we’re in a fearful or stressful mode, we tend to react with our mind, rather than our instincts. If something has happened unexpectedly, pause, and let your feelings simmer down before you act. Once the fog has cleared, you’ll find it easier to decide on your next steps.
Trust Yourself
One of the biggest triggers of internal stress are feelings that you cannot cope with the situation. This stems from not trusting yourself to be able to deal with the matter at hand. If you are faced with unexpected circumstances, remind yourself that you are stronger and more capable than you think. No matter how bad the situation is, convince yourself that you will get through it. By trusting yourself, you will have more confidence in your abilities, and you will feel better about dealing with whatever it is.
Find Solutions
Another significant contributor to stress is when you focus on problems, rather than solutions. Unexpected circumstances can throw you off center, especially if there are a lot of unknown variables. However, if you can work on step-by-step solutions, it will help put your mind at ease.
For example, if you’ve suddenly discovered you’re pregnant, it can be helpful to contact Gynaecology Centres Australia to find out what your options are. Or if you’re on the cusp of unemployment, getting in touch with a job support agency can make you feel less panicked. By focusing on solutions, you put yourself in the driver’s seat, rather than passively sitting back and feeling helpless within the situation.
Focus on the Positives
Along with finding solutions, it’s important to stay focused on the positives. Depending on the situation, it can be easy to look at all the problems this new circumstance has created. However, this does nothing to serve you. While you’re seeking solutions to the matter, find ways to look at the situation’s positive aspects. Sometimes a rupture in our lives is a blessing in disguise, even though it appears to be a catastrophe in the moment. Try to see the wisdom in the situation and establish what it might be teaching you. Who knows? It could be that this sudden change is leading you to somewhere better.
While unexpected circumstances can be uncomfortable to deal with, the techniques above can help you cope and manage the situation effectively.