So here we are, winter time is upon us.  The clocks fell back on Saturday night and we had an extra hour in bed. This morning it was lighter as I got ready for the day and this felt great.  Last night though as I walked home from a friend's at 7pm it was totally dark.  It felt much later than it was.

The clocks changing always throw me, it takes a while to adjust and this is true of change in any part of our lives.  Change is inevitable but as a rule we're not fond of it.  We like what we know, we are comfortable and it feels secure.  Winter is a known quantity, out comes the big coat, the boots and the hat and we're ready.  Not all changes are that simple to navigate. Some come out of the blue and catch us by surprise, this can be a shock.  Others are more stealth like, slow and sneaky, we feel unprepared and this too can leave us feeling out of control.

Some of the changes are small, like the clocks, whilst others are humdingers.  It can feel impossible, uncontrollable and scary.  I find it helps to focus on things that I can do rather than those that I cannot.  I hear from clients both face to face here in Portsmouth and online how change has impacted their lives.  It isn't always bad, sometimes it is what alleviates the current issue. A fresh start, a new home, getting away to university in a new town might be just what the doctor ordered.  The feelings of resistance or anxiety could be reframed as excitement and anticipation perhaps.

Loss is real, change is inevitable but how we respond is up to us, we are in control of that.  We have that option, to choose our responses, to see the challenge and the change as an opportunity, an adventure.  This isn't just a rose tinted spectacles take on change, I don't pretend that things are easy when they're not, but things are better when tackled in bite sized chunks. If you'd like to know more about how to work with change I would love to hear from you.  I am based here in Portsmouth, I see clients in Fareham too.  I am online and on the phone if you prefer.

Have a wonderful day, enjoy the cosy nights, get the slippers out!!  Love Abi x