At some point your life, you’ll likely end up in a bit of a rut, and you’ll probably be pummeled with signs that you need to make a change. Whether it’s a small change in a singular facet of your life, or completely tipping your own world upside down, sometimes something’s just got to go. Unfortunately, these signs are not always so easy to see. Even if they’re of the huge, shiny, in your face variety, a woman focused on her life and future might miss them entirely. I know, because it’s happened to me. So, from my experience to yours, here are some signs that you need to make a change that I’ve missed, and that you should watch out for.
We’ve all been there. The day is winding down, and you’re lying in your bed, planning to drift off to dreamland… and then you don’t. As you stare at your ceiling, you wrack your brain to see what could possibly be keeping you awake. Nothing particular went wrong in your day. And yet your blatant unrest is keeping your from getting that much-needed shuteye. Trust your subconscious, because sometimes it’s trying to tell you something in that time before sleep: it may be sending you one of the many signs that you need to make a change.
I’ll be the first one to admit that sometimes I take out my frustrations on those I love the most. And I know many others who do this as well. Why? Because we trust them to take it in, and to see that something’s wrong, even if we don’t. If you catch yourself being snippy with your favorite people, pull it back a bit; the problem could be your own life, not them.
Everyone’s body handles stress in different ways, but one thing’s for sure: the tension always goes somewhere. Whether you’re suffering from stress headaches, or dealing with soreness in your shoulders from carrying the weight of your own little world on your shoulders, your personal tension could be affecting you physically. Between popping Tylenol and sweet-talking your significant other into a back rub, maybe it’s time to take a good long look at what is causing the problem. Odds are that changing something in your day-to-day life will turn out to be the best pain reliever.
I am a snoozer. I know, it’s a terrible habit, but getting out of my cozy bed at that first alarm ring is near to impossible for me. But there was a time in my life when the cold floor wasn’t what was keeping me in bed, though that’s what I blamed it on. No, what made it hard to get up was the fact that I didn’t want to face my day, or my life. Again, this is something that happens to many of us from time to time, when life takes a turn for the worse. Don’t overlook this as a love of your pillow; take it as the sign it is, and try to turn your life into something that makes you look forward to getting out of bed.
Now, don’t get me wrong here: there are plenty of other reasons that a perfectly happy person could be gaining weight. However, as I am sometimes a stress eater (yes, I sleep and eat… I am a bit of a sad sloth), it is a personal pattern of mine that when my pants are getting tighter, my life is usually at a low point. If you have been snacking more than usual, and have put on a few pounds as a result, maybe it’s time to look to the underlying cause of your comfort eating. Make a change for the better in your life, and you may find yourself doing less binging. Unless it’s Christmas time… then just blame it on the readily available Christmas cookies and fudge lying about.
This one may seem to be more easily noticed, but sometimes it takes a while to come to the honest truth: you really don’t like your job. Sometimes it’s because the «newness» of the job has worn off. Other times the work is just too easy for you, and therefore you’re lacking the challenge to drive you. And then other times you’re fully aware of the dread, but too afraid to do something about it. Well, it’s time to make a change my friends. Whether that means beginning to apply elsewhere, or asking your boss for more challenges or a raise, it’s time to take control and move towards having a happier work experience.
This one’s the hardest because, in my opinion, it comes with the most guilt. Whether you live alone, with a roommate, with your significant other, or with you husband/wife, two kids, four dogs, three cats, and a parakeet, sometimes your home life is what ends up bringing you down. This is nothing to be ashamed of, and is easier to handle than you think. If you need more space, or more help, ask for it. If you’re not happy with a roommate, then move out; with a significant other, then consider a break. Your home should be a haven of happiness, not the cause of all your stress.
Life is hard. And sometimes, we all need a little help to see the signs that read: Hey! You! It’s time for a change! But, in my experience, the sooner you understand the signs, the easier it will be to make the necessary changes that will lead to your own personal happiness. So what signs do you look out for that key you in to your own need for change?