Life changes quickly. One moment you have a job, the next you don’t. One morning you lose a loved one. A life-threatening illness emerges. A family member has a stroke – or you have a stroke. A flood destroys your home. You get the point.
Life changes in different ways yet, responsibilities to society do not. Payments are due, expectations for work continue, and reliability from friends and loved ones remain.
You may struggle with where to start and how to continue.
Due to the non-stop posts about layoffs, below are tips that may help others manage drastic life changes while starting a new job.
How to balance drastic life changes and a new job:
- Accept the change:
Acknowledge that change is a natural part of life and can often bring new opportunities for growth and development.
- Plan ahead:
Create a plan for how you will manage the transition. This could include making a schedule, setting goals, or creating a budget.
- Seek support:
Reach out to family, friends, or a therapist for emotional support. You can also connect with coworkers or a mentor to help you adjust to your new job.
- Stay organized: Stay on top of your responsibilities by staying organized.
This could mean keeping a planner, making to-do lists, or setting reminders on your phone.
- Take care of yourself:
Make sure you prioritize your physical and emotional health during this time. This could mean eating well, getting enough sleep, and taking time for self-care activities.
Remember, adjusting to big life changes and a new job takes time, so be patient and kind to yourself during the process.
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In August – December 2019, I moved from New York City to San Francisco, switched jobs, and observed a loved one suffer from a stroke. I had few friends in a new city. Then boom – the pandemic lockdown hit. Like many others across the world, I could no longer be with the people I cared for most.
More recently, I was part of a layoff and had to speedily identify a new source of income right after moving to Manhattan. I went from a fully remote job to a daily commute, in-person position. Daily life went a full 180.
The speed of change at these different points in life is what makes life, well, LIFE. I know others face their own periods of life where change after change comes quickly. In an effort to help those manage change, I began to write. Here we are now.