Sanca Wedge Gardens treatment centre recently held an adaptability workshop for its clients to help them cope with the ever-changing reality of life.
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Manager of Sanca Wedge Gardens Adèl Grobbelaar said when adapting to a new situation, one often needs to change yourself, ideas and behaviour accordingly to deal with it successfully.
“People resist change because they think they are going to lose something of value and are going to be unable to adapt to new ways,” said Adèl.
“If it is a significant change to a daily routine, it becomes emotional because it threatens safety, security and takes people out of their comfort zone.”
The ability to adapt to change oneself is a soft life skill and can be learnt depending on a person’s openness to the challenge.
“Sometimes these evaluations or reinventions are by choice and other times they’re forced upon you,” said Adèl.
Large changes to one’s life can include:
• Getting married
• Having children
• Starting a business
• Changing nutritional habits
• Ending a relationship
• Losing a loved one
• Starting tertiary education
• Travelling around the world
• Moving from one province to another or starting a new life
Adèl said at other times, changes may feel small and insignificant.
“Either way, a person’s ability to adapt to situations and become comfortable with the ever-changing circumstances in their life will influence their happiness, health, stress and well-being,” said Adèl.
Speaking on the importance of adaptability, Adèl said in a world which is constantly evolving, people’s ability to adapt can increase their chance of being successful in their career, relationships, health and more.
She said adaptability showcases a person’s determination, ability to be resourceful and displays leadership and analytical skills.
“In life, we will always experience unpleasant and uncomfortable things, some of these things are within our control while others are not,” explained Adèl.
Ways to adapt include:
• Finding the humour in a situation.
• Talking about the problems around the situation, not the feelings.
• Don’t stress about stress.
• Focus on values instead of fears.
• Accept the past and fight for the future.
• Don’t expect stability.
• Let go of the concept that’s the way it was always done.
• Force yourself to take some risks.
• Encourage others to be open-minded.
• Embrace learning.
• First brainstorm then organise your thoughts.
• Stay positive and get a fresh perspective.
• Focus on what you can do.
• Set new goals.
• Stay connected to people.
After hosting the workshop Sanca Wedge Gardens asked its clients to write a motivational letter to others who are battling substance addiction.
The motivational letters encouraged others to try their best and included words of encouragement such as “be who you are, change your situation by changing the world, recover and live a life of blessings.”
Another letter said, “Stay strong, stay focused, don’t be afraid of change, embrace your new life, losing your happiness is not worth going back to your old life.”
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