Our lives can change for many reasons - changing careers, having more responsibility, lifestyle changes - just to name a few. While we may initiate and welcome these changes, we can still sometimes be surprised just how different our lives become. Read Love the New You - Coming to Grips with Change.

Major changes in our lives can be challenging. It can be challenging to love the new you with each major shift in our lives. Our lives can sometimes change so much that we fail to recognize our old selves.

As someone who has recently been diagnosed with a serious chronic illness, it can be hard to reconcile who I used to be, not that long ago, and who I am now.

Loving the new you takes on a whole different meaning when you have ongoing health issues where you can no longer live the life you are used to.

At times it feels like I am not the same person.

What has driven me for many years is my desire and determination to change and grow as a person. What drives me now is improving my health.

Disclosure – This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Any compensation I may receive does not affect the price you pay.

Here are my thoughts on how to embrace big changes in your life and love the new you.

Seek out more meaning

At some point in our lives, we start to search for more meaning. We begin to dig deeper for more substance.

Trivial, unimportant issues no longer hit our radar.

Whether it is a result of maturing, suffering a loss, a traumatic event, or even something wonderful happening to us, we seek to reach a better understanding of ourselves and the people around us.

Don’t be afraid to have a long, hard look at yourself. You might be delighted and surprised at who you find.

Related posts –

Look beyond the superficial

When I was younger, I loved makeup. I mean, I loved it. I bought a lot of it.

I would spend hours doing my hair (trying to curl it to be precise and then spraying it with tons of thick hair lacquer to keep it in place). This was back in the ’80s when it was quite the rage, in case I’m scaring anyone!

Now I blow-dry my hair a couple of times a year if I’m lucky (I have to mention my hair has never been in better condition), and I own one lipstick.

Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against makeup and grooming. It’s just not a priority for me anymore.

Not to mention, I choose to look past the makeup, clothes, handbags, and accessories and try to SEE the person wearing them.

In our celebrity-obsessed culture, I think it’s more important than ever not to embrace the superficial. 

So much emphasis is put on celebrities. I have a shocking announcement coming, so prepare yourself – Celebrities are just people. They might make more money or be better looking, but they are simply people. They eat, cry, sleep, and breathe – just like the rest of us.

Related post – 21 Powerful Ways to Be Comfortable in Your Own Skin

Understand it’s not just about your age

I’m sure growing older has mellowed me in many ways.

Yet in saying that, I know twenty-somethings that have never gone through a party phase and have no intention of doing so, and sixty-year-olds that have never stopped partying!

Stereotyping people into boxes of who does what at which age can be inaccurate (not to mention unfair).

Related post – How to Stop Stereotyping and Labelling

Embrace quality over quantity

In our consumer society, we tend to value things. Lots and lots of things.

Somewhere along the way we have developed a whoever has the most stuff wins mentality. Don’t buy into this.

Having more stuff does not bring a richer, happier life. More likely, it will fill your life with crap that you don’t use or want.

Not to mention, waste plenty of your hard-earned money along the way.

The same can be said for friendships and relationships. Whilst people have a lot of casual acquaintances (especially on social media), it is important to nurture close friendships.

By close friends, I mean the friend you ring when a parent passes away suddenly, or your life is spiraling out of control, and you need to speak to someone you trust. You need to nurture the friend who will be there for you in your darkest hour.

Whether it’s your career, family, or your relationships, seek purpose and quality in the way you spend your time.

Books that can help you deal with challenges – 

I have read both of the excellent books above and got a lot out of them. I highly recommend them.

Resist the urge to be judgmental when life changes

This one can get a bit tricky. When we develop a clear vision of our own values and beliefs, we can sometimes see things as black and white. Right or wrong. We view life through our own filters and values.

We fail to see the gray areas, especially when there are big changes in our lives.

The key, I believe, is to keep an open mind and never stop growing and learning.

An important thing to remember is that sometimes we do not choose our new path. Sometimes we have a new way of life thrust upon us. My chronic illness would be an example of that.

This is not the life I would choose for myself. Yet people judge me for the life I am now forced to live.

Try not to be judgmental when life dramatically changes.

Related post – Are We Too Judgmental?

Make sure fun is still on the agenda

It’s important to still have fun in your life. Bear in mind, however, that your idea of fun will change as your life changes. Your idea of fun will change as you grow as a person.

Even as someone who is ill and currently housebound, I need to find little pockets of joy in my day. I find those moments of joy and happiness through my gorgeous cat.

Related post – Are You Having Enough Fun?

Focus on your main priority

As mentioned earlier, my main priority now is my health. My health always needs to come first (which is not always easy). There are plenty of times when I want something else to be my main priority, but my health currently doesn’t allow it.

When your life changes, most likely so will your priorities. The new you needs to embrace this priority change.

Love the new you

When your life changes dramatically, it can be hard to love the new you. 

Do I love having a chronic illness and being sick? Definitely not. Do I still love myself, even after everything that has changed? Yes, I do. I know I am more than my illness. Much, much more.

No matter what changes you go through in life, be the best version of yourself and always love yourself for who you truly are.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends on social media.

Read Next – How to Have a Big Life When Your Life Feels Small