When stressful or overwhelming situations arise and seem to alter your life, it's temping to curl up in a ball and hide. But any bit of movement you make will actually help dissipate the tension. Take these baby steps toward a successful transition!

Focus on your health. It is one of the first areas we abandon when we go through change--we become lethargic and irresponsible about our fitness and diet. Exercise helps to release negative energy and boost confidence. Be good to yourself.

Turn to the familiar. We too often assume that because a big change is happening, everything will be different. But plenty of things are still the same. Continue your simple routines--like taking a walk at night or going to a certain coffee shop on Saturdays--to reassure yourself.

Take care of the little things. Removing clutter builds confidence during change because it puts you in control of your life. Focus on the simple activities on your "to do" list first--like donating old clothes to charity, paying bills, creating a photo album, or updating your resume. Eventually you'll get to the bigger issues, like finding a new job or relationship.

Make a decision. In the first few days of change, you are confronted with chaos, lack of clarity, and too many choices on how to deal. Doubt about whether you can handle the situation is likely to develop. Chunk the decision into its smallest possible elements. For example, "What am I going to do with the rest of my life?" becomes "What do I want to do for the next few years?" Accept that there is no clear-cut right or wrong, and use your intuition to sense what feels right. Often, the reason these decisions feel so heavy and difficult is because we're asking ourselves the wrong question, or the decision is not yet ready to be made.

Read and write. Books often profile people who've overcome adversity, and can give you courage and perspective. Go to a bookstore and browse through any book you're drawn to. Writing is also an effective tool when you feel alone. You can express yourself without judgment.

Do something for someone else. Helping others allows you to stop obsessing about your own issues, to direct your energy in a more positive way, and to see the big picture. You may be facing a difficult time, but you also have a responsibility to show up for your friends, family, and community. Be bigger than your change.

Get quiet. Meditation is simply being still, breathing deeply, and allowing everything to be as it is. It can last five minutes or an hour, but being alone with your thoughts can bring clarity and help you to realize you are still whole and unbroken, despite the change.

Bring joy back. Seek out pleasurable activities where you can learn, be creative, and try something new-like a French class or painting. Whatever you choose, make sure you do it on a regular basis to bring routine, and new people, into your life. In these simple activities, you'll realize that you're still the same person, and all the important parts have remained untouched by change.


Adapted from The First 30 Days: Your Guide to Any Change by Ariane de Bonvoisin, Harper One.