Coping with Transitions

As the weather changes and winter turns to spring, I’m reminded of the ways in which transitions can significantly impact our lives. While the weather gets a lot of airtime here in the Pacific Northwest, there are a number of transitions that can cause temporary stress, anxiety, and depression. Moving homes, changing jobs, switching schools, beginning a new term/semester—all of these changes can impact us in profound ways. Transitions mark change, and change marks the unknown. Often times, that unknown can induce worry and fear.

Are you going through a transition, big or small? Are you struggling with finding a sense of normalcy in the face of this new change? If so, here are some ideas for coping with your change in circumstances.

Recommit to Activities that Bring you Comfort

Engaging in activities that we’re familiar with can help ground us in times of change. Try reading an old book, visiting your favorite restaurant/coffee shop, meeting with an old friend, or partaking in any activity that’s crucial to how your self-identity.

Be Kind to Yourself

Know that adapting to new circumstances takes time, and try not to be hard on yourself if adjusting takes longer than you think it should. Try not to minimize the impact that your transition has had on your life by telling yourself, “I shouldn’t be feeling this way,” or “I should be doing __”. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion, and practice good self-care.

Learn from Previous Experiences

Think back to other times in your life when you needed to navigate a big change. What did you do to aid your transition at that time? What was helpful? What was not? Draw strength from your previous successes and apply that to your current situation.

Find Support in Other People’s Experiences

Regardless of your changing circumstances, odds are someone else has gone through something similar. Search online for websites/blogs/books that can give you useful information about coping with the particularities of your transition.