Embracing Change: A Personal Journey Inspired by Amy Morin’s “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do”

Embracing Change: A Personal Journey Inspired by Amy Morin’s “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do”

In her book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, Amy Morin offers profound advice on embracing change. Here’s a personal story that illustrates how I applied her principles to navigate significant changes in my life, along with famous quotes that resonate with each concept.

1. Identifying My Fears

When I first faced the prospect of change, I felt overwhelmed by fear. Morin’s advice to identify and acknowledge my fears was transformative. I realized that my fear stemmed from a lack of confidence in my ability to cope with the losses or the ‘perceived’ losses in my life.

Quote: “The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.” – Nathaniel Branden

By acknowledging my fear, I could start working on building my resilience and confidence.

2. Focusing on What I Can Control

Instead of worrying about aspects of change beyond my control, I focused on what I could influence. This approach helped reduce my anxiety and empowered me to take actionable steps.

Quote: “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” – Maya Angelou

I listed the things I could control, such as seeking support from friends and family, and engaging in activities that brought me joy.

3. Influencing People Without Trying to Control Them

Morin suggests that while we can’t control others, we can influence them through positive actions and communication. This was particularly important when dealing with changes that involved my family.

Quote: “The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude.” – Oprah Winfrey

I had open conversations with my family and how we could support each other in the times of crisis. This helped us navigate the changes together.

4. Practicing Acceptance

Accepting that change is a part of life helped me adapt more easily. Acceptance didn’t mean resignation; it meant acknowledging reality and finding ways to move forward.

Quote: “Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.” – William James

I practiced mindfulness and meditation to help me accept the changes happening around me. This helped me stay calm and focused.

5. Developing a Growth Mindset

Embracing change as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat was crucial. A growth mindset allowed me to see challenges as opportunities to learn and improve.

Quote: “Change is the end result of all true learning.” – Leo Buscaglia

I reframed my perspective on the changes in my life. Instead of seeing them as daunting challenges, I viewed them as chances to develop new skills and advance my personal growth.

Conclusion

By following Amy Morin’s advice on embracing change, I was able to navigate significant life changes successfully. Identifying my fears, focusing on what I could control, influencing my environment positively, practicing acceptance, and developing a growth mindset were key steps in this journey. These principles not only helped me adapt to changes but also led to personal growth and resilience.

Morin’s book provides practical and actionable advice that can help anyone facing change. Embracing change is not just about coping with new situations but about thriving and finding opportunities for growth in the midst of uncertainty.

Source :