Life involves a series of human life stages. Even so, personal progression over an individual’s lifespan can tend to vary. This can be due to biological differences, new opportunities that arise, or complex external factors. We crave change when life begins to slow down or an unforeseen life event compels us to adapt. However, whether you are exploring a new direction to gain a greater sense of purpose or desire an abrupt shift for survival, there are a few things to consider before changing your life. 

Why Are So Many Individuals Dissatisfied With Their Lives?

Research indicates that there has been an increasing number of Americans who have reported dissatisfaction with their overall quality of life. The cross-sectional observation study involving 253.2 million civilian noninstitutionalized adults analyzed the link between self-reported life dissatisfaction and independent variables.

These variables included socio and health-related factors. The study highlighted that approximately 39.3% of Americans experienced psychological distress, 18.3% poor general health, 22.2% non-married status, 13.4% lack of interpersonal support, and 6.9% limited food security were independently associated with life dissatisfaction. 

Why Does Changing Your Life Matter?

Many individuals lack social, family, or peer support to manage various aspects of life. Consequently, when we lack knowledge and direction, we tend to make mistakes. This can lead to intense frustration and poor self-esteem. Life can come with many different challenges that can affect our well-being.

Fortunately, we are all granted free will to implement change that affects our surroundings. Every action we make marks an impact on society. Therefore, it is important to make the right life choices. The smallest move we make unravels a path of growth, renewal, or destruction. Knowing that changing your life matters, taking time to research and develop a plan is equally important. 

Understand Your Motivation for Changing Your Life

Before making your next life decision, it is important to asses what is truly driving your desire to change your life. Do your aspirations stem from a reaction to temporary emotions, or are you staying dedicated to achieving long-term goals?

Reflecting on your fundamental goal vs. short-term needs can guide more thoughtful and secure decisions moving forward. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, practicing self-care can have a meaningful impact on your ability to make clear, confident decisions. Additional self-care practices that promote reduced stress and mental clarity for improved judgment include: 

• Engaging in more physical activity
• Changing your diet
• Getting an adequate amount of rest
• Making time for loved ones
• Staying hydrated
• Taking breaks
• Setting healthy boundaries
• Engaging in sober activities
• Creating a budget
• Utilizing behavioral health services

Why Is It Important to Assess Your Current Situation First?

Before moving forward with your next life decision, taking thoughtful consideration can help. Analyzing your current situation can target the root cause of dissatisfaction. Ask yourself, “Am I truly unhappy or is this a temporary setback?”. Are you just looking for the easy way out, or does your curiosity for change derive from your heart’s desire. Regardless, reviewing your finances, assessing your relationships, and considering your mental health can ensure a secure path forward. 

Evaluate the Pros and Cons Before Making Your Decision

Breaking down the pros and cons before moving forward can be a good start before making any decision that could change your life. If you find that the risks outweigh the benefits, this may signal a need to explore other alternatives. Looking at both perspectives can help you understand what to expect if you choose to proceed further in the hiring process. 

For example, weighing the gains and losses before accepting a job offer can impact how your future pans out. Taking time to research the company’s layoff history can help you assess potential job security risks. Asking about career growth opportunities, considering your daily commute, or getting a feel of the company culture can help you decide whether the position is right for you. If you have a large family, you may require a strong benefits package. It can also be helpful to look into the prospective company’s health insurance, 401 (k) retirement plans, pensions, etc., to gain reassurance.

Evaluate the Impact of Change on Your Relationships

Whether you are considering getting married, filing for divorce, accepting a job offer, buying a house, having a baby, or have something else in mind, taking a step back to evaluate the impact of change on your relationships with your friends, family, or spouse is also important. 

For example, think about the impact filing for divorce may have on your child’s mental health. Understand that your child custody arrangements may determine how much time you have to spend together. Legal agreements can affect your ability to support or structure your parent-child relationship. Nevertheless, preparing for tough conversations can reduce conflict and promote a smoother process for the family as a whole.

Evaluate The Financial Implications of Changing Your Life

Whatever decisions you make, they will not only carry risks and affect relationships with loved ones, but changing your life can also have an impact on your finances. 

For example, it can be good to plan and budget for a new path before having a baby. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), accounting for unexpected financial needs when starting a family is important. Consider taking a step back and working on a budget worksheet to assess how much money you make. Doing so can also help you plan how you will spend your money moving forward. Additional tips to start and determine if you are financially ready to have a baby include the following: 

• Review your income
• Evaluate your credit card debt
• Make a list of your bills to understand if you can afford to grow your family
• Deduct your monthly bills and childcare expenses from your monthly earnings (If the result is less than zero, you may be spending more money than you earn)
• Look for areas in your budget where you can make changes

Evaluate Your Current Skillset and Knowledge

Before making your next life decision, it’s important to assess your existing skills and expertise. Doing so can establish your starting point, help identify your weaknesses, and identify strengths to build on. Once you acknowledge your skillset, you can better understand your ability to make a change. If you do not understand the process involved in your next life decision, consult with a professional. Moreover, conducting research can offer reliable guidance before taking action to move forward.  

Not all life decisions are significant. For example, in advance, evaluating your knowledge on leasing a vehicle can provide valuable insight. Before signing a lease contract, you may want to gain a brief overview of the entire process with a leasing agent. Paying close attention to the lease terms and duration, taking time to understand your legal rights and responsibilities, and understanding the end-of-lease requirements can reduce stress and conflict for a smoother dealership experience. Skillsets to evaluate before leasing a vehicle include: 

• Bargaining abilities
• Financial literacy
• Understanding depreciation and vehicle value
• Auto insurance knowledge
• Ability to compare lease offers

Evaluate Your Emotional State Before Changing Your Life

Before you attempt to change your life, assessing your mental health can help is important. Ask yourself, “Am I mentally prepared for this next shift in life?”.  Whether your next life decision is personal, professional, or relational, your choice will influence your mental health. 

For example, say you have lived in the same home for nearly a decade and are thinking about buying a house. If you have an emotional attachment to your current home, selling your house could be a complex experience. Not only would you be leaving your previous home, but you would also leave your neighbors, community, and potentially your family behind. Your routine including your commute to work or school, morning rituals, or social habits may all be affected. 

Moreover, a big move could induce feelings of grief, sentimentality, or uncertainty about your future. If you face challenges with poor mental health, buying a new house could trigger a meltdown or episode for those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety. 

Create a Plan Before Changing Your Life

Establishing objectives and drafting an action plan can help you achieve your goals. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), when preparing to change your life, setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives (SMART) can provide clear direction. 

To start, clearly state your objective, track your progress, create realistic goals, make sure your goal fits the purpose of your grant, and commit to the timeframe for completion. Remember, deconstructing bigger goals into a series of manageable steps can reduce obstacles for a more refined process. 

Give Yourself Time to Reflect

Before taking action to change your life, pause and reflect on your journey. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), self-reflection aids in ongoing improvement to understand whether you should begin the process. Taking time to review your self-worth and progress altogether can give you the chance to recognize your core competencies and improve your ability to succeed.

Taking time to reflect on your next life decision can be uncomfortable. However, doing so can prevent the dangers that arise from impulsively rushing into life changes. Seeking external feedback from others, such as close friends, family, a mentor, or experts, can also ensure you make the right choice going forward. At the end of the day, the decision is ultimately yours to make. 

The Significance of Slowing Down to Cope With Change

Whether you have a strong desire to change your life or an unforeseen event has made it for you, the transition to a new path may be difficult. However, if you elect to go ahead, understand it’s just the beginning. Everyone adapts to change over time. Impatience to move forward or get through the lengthy process can often seem like a roadblock. Nevertheless, understand that changing your life is a journey, not a destination. Although change can be tough, learn from the process, remain optimistic, and build or mend relationships as you go. 

Different Ways to Cope After Changing Your Life

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), implementing change can be challenging because many individuals lose established connections during the process. Loneliness can worsen an individual’s state of mental health. Isolation can also make one feel miserable or stuck.

For that reason, forging new connections by developing a strong support system can be beneficial to your mental health. Not everyone has a trustworthy circle of connections or finds it easy to put themselves out there and meet others. If you lack emotional support from loved ones, you can grow your support network by including the following: 

• Make an effort to connect with others: Friends, family, neighbors
• Make use of technology: Email, text, or video chat
• Lean into your interests: Hiking, playing sports, and going to church
• Seek professional help: Individual or group therapy
• Volunteer for causes you care about: Food banks, libraries, homeless shelters

Embracing a Better Future After Changing Your Life

The process of changing your life can seem challenging and, in some cases, never-ending. Nonetheless, embracing the rewards and negatives that follow change is important. Staying optimistic is also important. Finding joy through your journey to change without fixating on the end result can help you appreciate growth and reinvention to thrive in all that you do.

Knowing that every action you make can leave a deep impact on your future, expect unpredictable life changes that follow but remember you will gradually adapt, and so will your surroundings. Don’t forget to celebrate your milestones and honor the journey that brought you there. Doing so will increase motivation, strengthen relationships with loved ones, and improve your mental health to experience a richer quality of life.