Life is full of changes. These changes can be hard for many people. They can be especially hard for people with IDD. It is helpful to remember that coping with change can also bring good things. A few weeks ago, we talked about how our Self-Advocate Network team has been working together for three years building job skills. Now it is time for our Participatory Action Research project to end. This is a big change for all of us.
Transition
Transition means things change. Every day has small transitions. Getting out of bed and getting dressed is a small change. When you do it every day, it feels normal. Bigger changes do not feel normal. Moving to a new place or starting a new job can feel scary. Even when something good ends, it can still feel sad. It is okay to miss people and the work you did together.
It helps to get ready for change. Here are some ways to prepare:
- Talk about it. Share how you feel with someone you trust.
- Ask questions. Knowing more can help you feel calm.
- Make a plan. Write down what you will do next.
- Keep routines. Doing some things the same way can help you feel safe.
Change is easier when you do not face it alone.
Courage: Coping With Change
Not knowing what will happen next can feel scary. It takes courage to move forward. Courage means trying even when you feel afraid.
Our team will now go in different directions. We will do new jobs. We will meet new people. Some of us do not know what comes next yet. That is okay.
We can have hope that good things are ahead. We can trust that we will find our next best thing. Each of us has skills, ideas, and dreams that still matter.
Growing Into What’s Next
Even when a project ends, the people do not stop growing. We take what we learned with us. We learned how to work as a team. And we learned how to speak up. Most importantly, we learned that our voices matter. These lessons will help us in the future.
Change means one door is closing. But another door is opening. We may not see it yet, but it is there. And we are ready to step through it together, even if we are walking on new paths.
Want to Learn More?
- Visit our Mental Health resource hub. It has videos, research, blog posts, and more.
- Read our blog posts about health and wellness.
- Build your self-advocacy skills with our courses.
The future is waiting for us. Let’s meet it with courage and hope.