Life is rarely predictable, but every now and then we may face a turn of events that is not only unexpected but also has major repercussions on every aspect of our existence from that moment forward. Read on to learn more about three such events and strategies for dealing with the changes they can bring.
Sudden bereavement
Death may be inevitable, but that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with the passing of a loved one. While in some case, the death may come at the end of a lingering illness, there are others that are sudden and wholly unanticipated, such as deaths due to accidents or that result from criminal acts.
In such cases, the loss of any opportunity to say goodbye can add to the level of devastation an individual can feel in relation to the death itself. The lack of any kind of warning can also greatly impair the capacity to cope, leaving you feeling overwhelmed.
The key is to allow yourself permission to grieve and mourn, allowing whatever feelings you have to emerge in the most natural way. You could also consider joining a support group for people in a similar situation to your own as talking to those with shared experiences can be a source of comfort.
Surprise pregnancy
When Amanda Burger began experiencing severe stomach cramps that were so painful she found it difficult to walk, she eventually took herself off to the emergency room. A few hours later, she left with a newborn daughter. Prior to going into labor, she had no idea she was pregnant.
Although it is rare for women to reach full term without being aware that they were pregnant, it is relatively common for women to be unaware of their condition until several weeks or months have passed by. If you find yourself in such a situation, it is clear that your life will never be the same again and you need to start planning ahead in order to make room for your new arrival.
Once you have come to terms with that is happening to your body, you need to begin to address the practicalities. Calculate your due date and work backward from there to establish exactly how much time you have. The sooner you get over the shock and start to take care of the essentials, the more time you will have to enjoy the prospect of bringing a child into the world.
Unexpected job loss
The primary emotion you are likely to experience should you lose your job unexpectedly is fear. Worries about how you will survive financially, how your family will be able cope with little or no income and deep concerns about the prospects for your future will dominate your mind.
Although such feelings are natural, they are far from useful. Instead, focus on practical actions you can take, such as seeing whether you are eligible for benefits and determining exactly how long your existing resources can last.
Despite the traumatic circumstances, losing a job can provide the perfect impetus to make a major life change. If you were unhappy at work or felt progress in your career had come to a halt, it’s the perfect time to undergo training or seek out new opportunities that, in many cases, can lead to you getting a far better job than the one you lost.
