Home / Resources / How do you deal with unwanted change?

How do you deal with unwanted change?

 

When you hear about an unwanted change which is beyond your control your initial reaction may be to kick against it, feeling angry, perhaps even confused and fearful that such a change can be imposed upon you without your permission.  This is normal and understandable but learning to deal with something you perceive as a negative change is an important tool for your overall wellbeing.

The first step you can take is to accept that this change is beyond your control and that dealing with it is going to be a process which you won’t be able to just switch off your feelings about.  Instead of expending more energy getting anxious about the change, try to clarify what it is that leaves you feeling fearful or uneasy.  Writing down these feelings will be helpful.  You can then re-read them over a period of days and look for some benefits, opportunities or something positive you could do as a result of the change.  And remember the old saying “a problem shared”, discuss your thoughts with a trusted colleague, friend or family member; they may see something you have missed.

Choosing to feel comfortable about accepting the change is likely to help calm your mind which, in turn, can lead to positive thoughts.  Put bluntly, the alternative is to do nothing, see the change as a setback, play the blame game or launch an unwinnable war of non-acceptance.  This will result in negative thoughts which both block your creativity and your problem-solving ability, not to mention the damage they do to your overall wellbeing.

“If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it”
Mary Engelbreit

Recent articles on our blog....

A completed puzzle of many different coloured pieces with small figures standing on it to symbolise inclusion and exclusion.

Some recent external resources relating to worker wellbeing

April 28, 2025

Our Spring round up of external resources focuses on 5 which highlight the worker wellbeing and business benefits that building an inclusive workplace for all can bring.

Read More →
Lemon fruit on brown wooden table

Resilience Tip – Have You Tried a ‘Lemonade Mindset’?

April 28, 2025

A look at what a lemonade mindset is, along with some practical examples of how it may benefit us at work as well as in life generally.

Read More →
A colour photograph taken from above of men working in a warehouse

Mattering at work: The value of recognising our significance

April 28, 2025

A look at mattering at work – what it is, the benefits it brings, some suggested tips and questions to ask that encourage and help to cultivate a culture of mattering at work, plus some thoughts on the ripple effect it can have for an organisation.

Read More →

Testimonials

ineq-about-us-150x150

Our purpose is to provide training and consultancy services to enhance resilience, health and wellbeing in the workplace.

ineq-ethos-values-150x150

Differentiation is one of the most strategic and tactical activities in which companies most constantly engage

ineq-faqs-150x150

It's natural to have questions about training and how it fits with your organisation. Our FAQs can help you find out more.

ineq-case-studies-150x150

View case studies for some of the in-house training courses we have delivered to different types of organisations across the UK.