Preparing For Transition

If you saw my recent blog post – you know that navigating seasons of transition or change isn’t always easy. 

In fact, some of life’s biggest changes often go hand in hand with life’s biggest stressors. 

That being said, there are some strategies you can implement to make navigating seasons of change a little easier to manage. 

This is especially true if you are fortunate enough to plan for your life changes ahead of time. These are things like: 

• • Getting married
  • Having a baby
  • Moving to a new city 
  • Retiring from your career 

Consider this advance notice a luxury that allows you to better equip yourself for handling the transition when it comes as successfully and seamlessly as possible. 

Now, it’s important to note that while advanced preparation can be hugely beneficial, it won’t necessarily mitigate all feelings of stress or hardship associated with this new life change. It simply allows you to build a toolbox for handling hard days or stressful situations when they come. 

Alright, let’s talk practicals! 

Here are a few of my favorite tips for preparing yourself for upcoming life transitions: 

• Anticipate The Struggles
  All transitions, even good ones, come with their own unique challenges. These will vary based on the type of change you are preparing to undergo and your unique personality tendencies.
  
  To the best of your ability, I recommend taking some time to reflect on what you perceive some of the struggles may be. When you can identify a potential obstacle you can also identify tools to support yourself through it.
  
  You may find it helpful in completing this exercise to talk with other individuals who have navigated similar seasons of change. I recommend taking The Enneagram Assessment to grow in your understanding of your own unique personality and what situations can be stress triggers for you.
  

• Setup Systems of Support
  It’s not smart to walk through the desert alone. The same is true when it comes to handling seasons of change.
  
  When certain aspects of your life are changing in significant ways, having the consistent support of people you trust can make that journey so much easier. As you prepare for a new season in your life, this process is helpful for building the supportive network you need:1. Evaluate your current needs. What kind of support are looking for? Here are a few things to consider: 

• • • How often will you see or talk with these support persons? 
    • Do you have specific goals you’d like accountability with? 
    • Are there specific topics you’d like them to occasionally ask or check in about?
      

2. Identify 1-2 consistent people you can rely on as you adjust to the changes in your life. These individuals could be good friends, family members, a coach, or perhaps a counselor.

3. Meet with your support champions to share your support plan. Take time to communicate these needs and desires to your designated people and be open to their input. 

• Start Helpful Habits Early
  Just as it can be helpful to identify potential struggles, it’s also important to consider what habits and routines will be helpful as you navigate this new season of change. Think of these habits as tools in your transition toolbox.
  
  Here are a few examples to consider:
  
  
  • • Does sleep quality affect your stress levels? Are there bedtime habits you’ll need to implement to get an appropriate amount of sleep?
      
    • Do you notice a difference in your ability to cope with hard things when you exercise or eat a certain way?
      
    • Do you currently have habits that fuel your stress or anxiety levels? (Ex: scrolling through social media) 

Once you’ve evaluated your habits and identified specific habits or routines that would be helpful to start (or stop) – do it now. 

Don’t wait until you are in the thick of transition to start a new healthy habit…it probably won’t stick. Building strong habits before you enter into a season of change is a great way to build yourself a solid foundation of success. 

If you are anticipating an upcoming life transition, I encourage you to give these three strategies a try. The more you can prepare ahead of time, the better equipped you will be to navigate the changes to come. 

Interested in hearing a powerful story of transition? In this podcast episode, Carla Marie Manly shares her experiences navigating the changes and transitions that come with aging. The wisdom she shares in this interview is incredible – truly something you don’t want to miss.

Article was contributed by: Maria Lees, Team Writer with Sarah Boxx