Monday Mindfulness: Meditations Before a Big Change, Part 1

I’m sure you’re familiar with that nerve-wracking period of time leading up to a big change. If it’s a sad or otherwise negative change, you may be dreading the change but also sick of waiting for it to occur; you’d rather just get it over with. And a positive change can also cause a strange mix of emotions. There is the anxiety over any kind of change, coupled with the anticipation of new and wonderful circumstances, and the promise of improvement. But there is also uncertainty and fear, and in the absence of those there may still be a degree of stomach turning nervousness.
I know that for myself, leading up to a challenging task of landmark event in my life--positive or negative--I am a bundle of nerves and can hardly sit still. Then afterwards, I am usually in a mildly euphoric state of relaxation coming down from the high of nervousness. I would prefer to have a bit more stability when it comes to these changes, or at least some of them. Highs and lows and the extremes of those are valuable and inspiring, but a bit much to deal with on the regular. The source of those nerves can be a lack of experience or familiarity, say if the upcoming event is a new challenge for me and one I haven’t undertaken previously (such as a big presentation or planning an event), and hopefully as the challenge repeats itself, those nerves start to quiet down. However, what to do in the meantime? How to live your life with these ups and downs, while also being mindful?
For me, I try to remind myself to be in the moment. Two weeks leading up to the event/change/challenge/etc., I may start to get really nervous whenever I think about it. So I try to remind myself: “You have plenty of time to be nervous about this next week. Wait until then.”
Then when “next week” rolls around, I remind myself, “You’re going to be nervous about this the day before. But you’re going to be prepared. You have time to prepare yourself and get ready for the day this change comes.” And the night before, naturally, I’m practically a basket case. So I try to do things that tire out my body and distract my mind: yoga, the gym, a movie I love, a book, a home improvement project, a night out with a friend. So for me, the process seems to be: try not to worry and just live your life→ prepare→ PREPARE→ try to relax and keep your mind and worries at bay and also sleep! → THE DAY → whew, that was totally fine. Maybe next time I won’t worry so much…
    What are your processes for dealing with change? Do you try to shape them or do you let them shape you? ​