Change can be a daunting thing, especially when it is unanticipated. Often times, people resist change, preferring the comfort of their everyday routine and the reliability it provides. However, sometimes the need for a change can be obvious. Sometimes the signs telling us it is time to make a change are right in front of us, we just need to take a moment and pay attention. This article will discuss five common clues that suggest it may be time for a change. It will cover behaviours, emotions, and situations that indicate it is time for a shift, and provide helpful actions for transitioning into a new stage of life.
1. Boredom
Boredom is the first clue that it’s time for a change. It may be the first to appear, and for good reason; boredom is usually a sign that something is no longer fulfilling or enriching our lives. When we become bored with our lives, it is a sign that our routine has become mundane and stagnant.
It can be easy to miss the underlying cause of our boredom until something drastic occurs. We may suddenly find ourselves being frustrated and angry about the lack of excitement or stimulation in our lives. This can lead to an emotional rollercoaster and a pattern of erratic behaviour.
When we realise it’s time for a change, it is important to embrace our boredom and understand it as an indication that something needs to shift. Boredom can often be a symptom of a deeper underlying issue, such as unaddressed emotional or mental health needs or an unfulfilling job or relationship.
Once we realise boredom is the cause of our discontent, it is important to take action. Make a list of activities or new experiences that you are curious about. Even if these activities are seemingly small, it is important to give yourself permission to try something new. Making the time for new experiences, will inject a new level of excitement into your everyday routine
2. Low Energy
Low energy can be a sign that it is time for a change. When our life lacks purpose, we can feel drained and lethargic. It is as if every day we are weighed down by invisible pressure from having to do the same thing day-in and day-out, without any meaningful end goal in sight. This lack of clarity about our future can make us feel powerless and apathetic about the present.
It is important to remember that feeling low energy is not the same as being physically tired. While physical tiredness is relieved by rest, low energy arises when our life is unbalanced or when our goals are unclear. When we realise that we are feeling low energy, it is a sign that something needs to shift in our life and we need to re-evaluate our priorities.
It can be helpful to begin taking small steps towards understanding what you want out of life and coming up with a plan to achieve your long-term goals. Setting short-term goals is especially useful in alleviating low energy. Breaking down large tasks into smaller manageable goals creates focus, which in turn can have a rejuvenating and morale-boosting effect on our lives
3. Repetition
Repetition often indicates that it is time for a change. We can start to experience a sense of not being ourselves, almost as if we are on autopilot. This can lead to a sense of boredom, emptiness and unfulfillment.
It is important to try and identify when repetition has become the focus of your life. This might mean anything from going through the same routines every day, to continuing relationships or jobs that no longer feel meaningful.
When we realise it’s time for a change, it is important to take stock of our life and make a conscious effort to break away from this pattern of behavior. This might mean taking a break from the same routine, carving out time to explore our interests, and making thoughtful decisions about our career and relationships.
It is also useful to remember that change doesn’t have to be radical. We can make a conscious effort to gradually shift our lives towards something more aligned with our values and passions.
4. Loss of Motivation
Loss of motivation can often be a sign that it is time for a change. Feeling unmotivated can be one of the most difficult feelings to express, as it often leads to guilt and a sense that we are failing to meet our own standards. This sense of guilt makes it difficult to take a step back and evaluate what we really want out of life.
Loss of motivation can manifest in our lives in various ways. It may mean that we procrastinate tasks, or feel disinterested in things that we were once passionate about. It can also lead to difficulty getting out of bed in the morning, an inability to focus, and a general feeling of being stuck.
When we realise it’s time for a change, it is important to understand that feeling unmotivated is related to being out of balance. To move forward, we need to take time to really consider what motivates us and to put effort into creating a life based around this. This might be dedicating some time to creating a concrete life plan, exploring new activities, starting a new career, or taking time to care for our mental health.
It is also essential to remember that creating a life that we feel motivated by is a process; it won’t happen overnight. But by taking small steps and seeking support, even the most daunting tasks can slowly become achievable.
5. Unresolved Conflict
Unresolved conflict can often be a sign that it is time for a change. Conflict can create a feeling of being stuck; unable to take meaningful action or move forward in our lives. This feeling of stagnation can be quite isolating, as it can make it difficult to seek support or advice.
Unresolved conflict can come in many forms; it may be with a boss, a colleague, a friend or a family member. We may find ourselves in situations where our values are disregarded, or where we feel taken advantage of, and in these cases, it is important to take action and stand up for ourselves.
When we realise it’s time for a change, it is essential to understand that resolving conflicts can feel frightening; especially when the person involved has a lot of power or control in our lives. It is important to remember that the situation can be changed, and it is essential to have a plan before entering into a conversation.
It can be tempting in these situations to avoid the problem in the hope that it will ‘go away’, but this only leads to frustration and further conflict. The best way to resolve conflict is to calmly and rationally explain how you feel, and to be willing to compromise in order to create a mutually beneficial outcome.
Final Thought
Change can be daunting, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Taking the time to pay attention to our behaviours, emotions and situations is a key way to promote personal growth and fulfilment. Feeling bored, low energy, feeling stuck in repetition, dealing with a lack of motivation, or having unresolved conflict can be signs that it’s time for a change. Embracing change can create an opportunity for personal growth and can often lead to exciting and life-altering experiences.
