Change is hard. Really, really hard. And if there is anything to understand about change, it is that it will occur throughout your entire life. Change can be difficult for all humans, because we tend to enjoy what we have become accustomed to. We like familiarizing ourselves to people and places before we can feel genuinely happy. This is the case for the way many of us live our lives. Each type of change we encounter, whether that’s losing a loved one or throwing away your favorite pair of shoes, affects us at varying levels, but it most definitely still affects us.

One of the reasons I love the season of Autumn is because it is a visual representation of change. As each day passes, we see more and more of the leaves on our favorite trees painted orange. The beautiful, green hues we’ve become so accustomed to fade, and new colors emerge. Each year, it is hard for me to say goodbye to the greens. After all, I have spent that last 6 months falling in love with them. I’m always nervous that I will never see those vibrant colors of nature again. But then, I remind myself, "change is good; Change is okay".

Still, it is quite normal, and acceptable, to react to change in the most natural way for you. Don’t feel stupid if you spend months or years getting over a breakup. You are going through a huge change in your life and the emotions you feel should be overwhelming. Don’t feel weird if you once felt a certain way about your future, and simply have changed your mind. That is alright; people change and grow and it is a splendid thing to be able to embrace those changes.

If you are confused or stressed about change and have trouble pinpointing how to handle it, know that there is not a specific way to act or wrong way to go about it. You are your own person and therefore, will react in your own unique way to an event or situation than others will.

Just know, and never forget, that you have more strength and courage than you may realize. Never be afraid to talk to a friend, sibling or parent about what you’re going through. If they really care for you, they will care about your well being and will be there to listen and give advice if they’re able. Continue to eat healthily, and drink lots of water. Write. Get a good amount of exercise by going to your local gym, taking a walk around your neighborhood, or even going to a yoga or dance class once a week. Sing. Compliment yourself. Compliment others. Do not forget that as humans, we are constantly evolving and growing. It would be weird and boring if our lives were static the whole time. Yes, the process of change can be difficult, but it is needed in order to live a fulfilling, meaningful life.