Finding Your Best Mindset: 5 Simple Tips for Navigating Life’s Big Changes

Life has a way of surprising us. One day everything feels familiar and steady, and the next, it can look completely different. Redundancy, retirement, or returning to work after maternity leave are just a few of the changes that can leave us feeling unsettled.

I know from experience, both personally and through my work as a solution-focused hypnotherapist, that transitions can be both exciting and daunting. When the future feels uncertain, it’s easy for our brain to get stuck in ‘worry mode’ or even lose sight of what’s possible. The good news is there are small, practical steps we can take to steady ourselves and move forward with confidence.

Here are five simple tips I often like to share with my clients, to help you find your best, more positive and motivated mindset during times of change:

1. Focus on What You Can Control

When life shifts suddenly, it’s natural to worry about everything we can’t control. But focusing too much on the unknown only feeds feelings of stress and overwhelm. Instead, try turning your attention to what you do have influence or more control over.

This might be small things, like your morning routine, what you eat for lunch, or the way you plan your day. It could also mean setting achievable goals, like updating your CV, joining a local walking group, or carving out 10 minutes to relax, rest, pause and breathe.

Even tiny choices help you reclaim a sense of control—and that sense of agency is the foundation of better resilience.

2. Reframe the Narrative

How we talk to ourselves makes a huge difference. If we see a situation as a disaster, it will feel like one. But if we can start to view it as an opportunity—or at least a chapter that could lead somewhere new—the experience changes.

For example, redundancy can feel like rejection, but it can also be a chance to explore a different path or rediscover passions you may have put aside. Retirement might feel like an ending, yet it’s also the beginning of time that’s truly your own.

Try noticing the language you use with yourself. Swap “I can’t cope with this” for “I’m finding this challenging, but I’m learning new ways forward.” Small shifts in perspective can open up space for hope.

3. Build Small, Positive Habits

During times of change, routine can be your best friend. You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight—small, consistent habits make a big impact.

• Write down three things you’re grateful for at the end of each day.

• Take a short daily walk, even if it’s just around the block.

• Spend a few minutes each morning focusing on your breathing before the day begins.

These simple actions give your mind anchor points, moments of steadiness that help you feel grounded no matter what else is happening. Over time, they also boost your mood and strengthen resilience.

4. Use the Power of Relaxation and Visualization

When stress takes over, our minds can feel scattered and our bodies tense. Relaxation techniques can be a powerful way to reset. Even just five minutes of focused breathing can make a difference.

Visualization is another useful tool. Take a moment to imagine yourself feeling calm and confident as you navigate this new stage. Picture yourself handling challenges with ease, or enjoying a positive outcome in the future. Your brain doesn’t fully distinguish between imagined success and real experience, so this practice can help build genuine confidence and calm.

In my own work with clients, hypnotherapy often combines deep relaxation with positive visualization to help people create lasting change—but you can start with simple steps at home.

5. Stay Connected and Seek Support

Change can feel lonely if we try to go through it all on our own. That’s why connection matters so much. Talking to a trusted friend, joining a community group, or seeking professional support can make a huge difference.

Sharing your experience doesn’t just lighten the emotional load—it also reminds you that you’re not the only one going through life’s twists and turns. Others have faced similar challenges and come through them, and that can be deeply reassuring.

Final Thoughts

Life’s changes are rarely easy, but they don’t have to leave you feeling lost. By focusing on what you can control, reframing your perspective, building small habits, practicing mindfulness, meditation and relaxation, and staying connected, you can approach the future with a calmer, more confident mindset.

Sarah Coward, DSFH Solution-Focused Hypnotherapist

Remember, change isn’t just an ending—it can also be a beginning. Each step you take today, however small, can lead you towards a brighter tomorrow.

If you’d like more support in navigating change, I’d be delighted to help. At Your Best Mind Hypnotherapy, I work with people to build resilience, boost confidence, and move forward positively, no matter what life has brought their way. You can find out more about Sarah here:  www.yourbestmind.co.uk

This Blog also featured as a Guest Blog this month on Maria Newman's website and Blog here: https://mummyonabreak.co.uk/my-blog-posts/

Maria is a Life Coach and runs the 'YaaMaas online Networking group; you can find out more about Maria here: https://mummyonabreak.co.uk/