Life Transitions

We all experience transitions throughout our lives – big and small, planned and unplanned. Transitions may be centered around something exciting and promising, such as starting a new job, getting married, or an addition to your family. They can also be prompted by distressing situations, such as the loss of a loved one or not , or even just milestones.

Whether due to exciting or more difficult circumstances, a life transition will impact your life in a significant way as it requires adjustment to change, which can be difficult, as even positive life transitions tend to cause some stress. Change doesn’t need to be bad for it to be disruptive and it is vital to understand that it is normal, even adaptive, to feel a certain amount of stress in the midst of a transition. Our bodies and minds are adjusting to a new way of being, and that period of change may feel unsettling and uncomfortable. The stress and discomfort involved in adjusting to a new situation isn’t necessarily bad as it is an evolutionary response designed to help us deal with changes.

Changes, and especially difficult changes, can influence personal growth, and dealing with a change successfully may leave one stronger, more confident, and better prepared for what comes next in life. Change can for example, encourage the development of skills or knowledge. It might also bring about greater awareness of a condition or a group. Change can also make clear what is important in one’s life and allow for greater self-discovery and self-awareness. In other words, even those changes that are neither expected or wanted might still produce beneficial outcomes.

Sometimes, however the period of transition interferes with one’s daily life and functioning. A person facing a big change might, for example, experience depression, anxiety or fatigue; have headaches; develop trouble sleeping or eating well; or abuse alcohol and/or drugs. In such instances, the feelings that accompany transitions can become significant enough to call for further examination. When life changes provide difficult and lead to stress, anxiety or depression, therapy can help you navigate the changes and assist you in developing strategies for coping with the new situation in a healthy, positive manner. You can learn to use the stress of change to your advantage, minimizing its negative effects.

When people know that they have difficulty coping with change, it can also be helpful to speak with a therapist before the significant change occurs. In this way, one can prepare for changes and become better able to face them in the future, even without prior knowledge of potential changes.

If you’ve been through a major life change, or if you’re getting ready to undergo such a transition, I encourage you to contact me and request an appointment.