Dealing with Life Transitions
Dealing with Life Transitions
Change can be hard, especially if it’s unexpected. Every time a transition happens, there might be a rise in fear or anxiety. If you’re the type of person that loves routines, there might even be some discomfort in not knowing what to expect. Life transitions can be scary, but they can also lead to some of the best moments in your life. Not every transition has to be filled with anxiety or dread- some can be approached with curiosity! So how do we welcome life transitions, even when we don’t feel prepared for them?
What are some examples of life transitions?
Some people may think that in order for a transition to be considered difficult, it has to be a “big” life event, such as divorce or having kids. The truth is, transitions happen more often than we think and it doesn’t always have to be major milestones. Some transitions, such as going from being in a relationship to beginning to date again, might feel “small” in comparison. However, these transitions are just as important because they mark a change in your life. Other examples, such as leaving for college, might appear to be a “normal part of growing up,” but it’s a transition nonetheless. Leaving home for the first time can be exhilarating, but it also marks the end of living under your parent’s roof (and not having to worry about rent!)
Is it normal for me to feel so stressed/anxious?
Yes, because some life transitions happen unexpectedly with little to no time to prepare for them! Life transitions are tricky and unfortunately, we don’t always have an answer key as to how we should smoothly operate through them. This might cause stress/anxiety, so it might be helpful for you to ask yourself reflective questions, such as “How has this affected my sleep/wellbeing?” or “How has my energy level been lately?” These questions create room for you to pause and see what the effects of transitions might be.
What can I do to help ease my feelings?
As life happens, it can be easy to fall into a whirlwind of emotions trying to keep up with the changes. Here are a few helpful reminders to help you balance some of those emotions that come up:
Remember, life doesn’t happen in a linear fashion: Not everyone is on the same life path. You might be going to college while others are getting married. You might be getting married while others are going through a divorce. Life isn’t linear- so you can’t expect life transitions to be linear! Everyone is at a different pace, so it’s important to not judge yourself for being at a different life stage than others.
Take care of yourself: Make sure to eat, sleep, and exercise during these times. It might be easy to forget to do that, especially if you feel like you have no time left in the day. Taking care of yourself might seem like the last thing you want to do- but it’s important to keep doing so, despite the changes that occur!
Not everyone experiences the same transitions: Some people never experience certain life transitions, such as getting married or having kids. Although it might seem easy to compare yourself in those situations, it’s important to remember that everyone is on a different path. Not going through a specific life transition doesn’t make you “less than” or “behind” someone else!
Give yourself time to adjust: It’s perfectly normal to feel scared when transitions take place. The truth is, it would be impossible to prepare for every transition that happens. Life happens in unexpected ways, so gently embrace the change (and all of the emotions that come with it!)
Despite the complex emotions that life transitions might bring, I want to remind you that it’s perfectly okay to feel caught in the midst of the crazy changes and feel as if there’s nothing to hold on to. Transitions can be the start of a new adventure, but the mixed feelings that it comes with will pass.
growgood psychology has a team of therapists ready to help you deal with life transitions.
Ready to try working through those mixed emotions that accompany life transitions? Our therapists are prepared to accompany you in that journey. Transitions may happen more frequently than we might think, but they don’t have to be done alone. Our therapists are here for you! Connect with us today to get started.