Almost all of us experience moments of transition in life that are so impactful they can leave us feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and depleted. Change is often difficult to manage, and even the happiest moments in life such as a new job, getting married, or having children can produce unexpected stress and strain on our mental well-being. With the right knowledge and game plan in place, managing life transitions does not have to get the best of us.
Read more: Five Tips for Dealing with Transitions
It’s natural
Humans are creatures of habit. It is in our nature to adopt habits that help us through our day. It allows us to expend less brain power on the routines of our day so we have more energy for the novelties that life throws our way. It’s a powerful adaptation that provides a level of comfort as our brains go on a sort of autopilot. However, when these routines get disrupted, our brains are forced to engage fully in order to ensure our needs continue to be met. This can cause stress to our systems as we are forced to find a new normal.
Change on the brain
Change impacts how we view the world and ourselves. It challenges us in ways that shift our worldview and, as our circumstances shift, so does our brain. The neural pathways that are built during big life transitions provide opportunity to develop new insights about the self.
Whether the transition is positive or a challenge to overcome, we might be faced with a need to reevaluate how we define ourselves. In a career transition – whether taking on a new role, starting work at a new company, or switching career trajectory – you may be faced with redefining how you view yourself in relation to work. Changes in relationships, such as getting married or divorced, often present a need for self-reflection to interpret the self as part of, or separate from, a defining relationship. So how do you make sure the challenges presented in these rocky transitions work to your benefit?
Finding calm in transition
It’s normal (and okay) to feel a sense of unease or even anxiety during these times. Finding a sense of balance through these shifts can make managing life transitions a little easier. Here are a few ways to find stability in times of change.
Be present in the moment
While it may be tempting to look back at a more stable time in life or to anticipate the future when you start to feel a sense of unease, staying present with your emotions can help keep you grounded. Remember, this is a moment in time and a new normal will be established; it will get easier. Focusing your energy and attention in the moment, on the impact of these experiences on your mind and body, can help you tap into your needs. Whether your body is telling you to slow down, get support, or take a time out, caring for yourself is essential in feeling secure during times of uncertainty.
Leverage your relationships
Support can be crucial during life’s biggest transitions. Whether it’s a close friend, a family member, co-worker, or your therapist, prioritizing time to connect with others can provide perspective on what you’re going through and help to see the light at the end of the tunnel. For transitions such as loss, injury, or grief, seeking a therapeutic support group can be beneficial.
Be compassionate with yourself
It takes time to adjust to big life transitions and it’s okay to have feelings about that. Making space for you to experience and work through your emotions can provide a sense of calm and clarity in the most turbulent times. Actions as small as taking a deep breath or slowing down and drinking a glass of water can provide the self-care necessary to stay grounded through high-stress transitions.
While it is common to encounter feelings of unease or instability throughout transitional periods in life, it is possible to make the most of these times as you anticipate a smoother tomorrow. Reaching out to others and caring for yourself can help you find your inner calm as you manage life’s biggest transitions.
What are some strategies you use to manage transitions in life?
- Trauma and Attachment: How Our Experiences Impact Our Relationships - August 13, 2020
- Reduce Work Stress Through Mindfulness - May 14, 2020
- How Big Life Transitions Impact Your Mental Health - September 12, 2019
6 comments
I think that it is so important that you mentioned that these stressful and anxiety inducing transitions are just a moment in time. When feeling overwhelmed and anxious, it is so easy to feel like life is just too much, and that everything is unstable and unpredictable. Keeping in mind that while the previous normality has been disrupted, a new normal is on the way is a powerful thing, and has definitely helped me in the past.
I love how this post normalizes the impact of transitions. So often, people think that they should be able to get through a life transition with little impact, but you provide helpful ways to understand why transitions can be so impactful, as well as ways to get to the other side. For me, transitions are a time when I need to rely more heavily on the things that bring me comfort, including self-care rituals and talking to loved ones. Thanks for this great post, Ashley!
This is so helpful! Change can be so intimidating, I love the way you normalize it. I believe that as we evolve through life we are forced to make transitions, some are planned and some are not. It is important to understand that adapting is not easy but necessary. I tend to reach out for support when am feeling challenged by the transitions of life. Thanks for writing this!
Ashley I love this blog! Especially living in the City, we are constantly faced with changes and transitions and I think it’s really important to acknowledge the impact of these changes.
Thanks for writing this post about transitions, Ashley! I think that life transitions can be so challenging, especially for people who are uncomfortable with change (and who isn’t to at least some degree?). I particularly appreciate your focus on self-compassion and presence as ways to make it though. For me, staying focused on what is happening now can help me to stay away from anticipating all the possible outcomes that can come from the transitions, which only makes me more anxious. Thanks again for this great post!
Thanks for this affirming blog, Ashley. Transitions, positive or negative, can bring up so much anxiety. I appreciate how you normalize this stress as well as offer some strategies to cope with it. I particularly like the idea of seeking balance at times like this.