A life transition experience can be positive or negative, planned or unexpected. Some transitions happen without warning, and they may be quite dramatic, as in cases of accidents, death, divorce, job loss, or serious illness. Other life transitions come from positive experiences such as getting married, going away to college, starting a new job, moving to a new city. Even though events like these are usually planned and anticipated, they can be just as life-altering as the unexpected events. Whether positive or negative, life transitions cause us to leave behind the familiar and force us to adjust to new ways of living, at least temporarily. They can leave us feeling completely unprepared and we may be thrown into a personal crisis, feeling shocked, angry, sad, and withdrawn.
Examples of Life Transitions
Life transitions can include any of the following: Divorce, Having a baby, Relocation, Retirement, Serious illness, Significant loss (of a person, job, pet, or anything important), Starting a career/Changing jobs
Coping Skills
Life transitions are often difficult, but they have a positive side, too. I and help you move through the stages of change and accept that change is a normal part of life, identify your values and life goals, learn to identify and express your feelings, focus on the payoffs, learn to sit with uncomfortable feelings, and ways of build your support system. People who have this attitude seem to have the easiest time getting through life transitions. Seeing changes as negative or as experiences that must be avoided makes them more difficult to navigate and less personally productive.
Times of life transitions offer you the chance to explore what your ideal life would look like. When things are in disarray, you can reflect on the hopes and dreams you once had but perhaps forgot about. Take this time to write about them in a journal or talk about them with a trusted friend or therapist. Now is a good time to take advantage of the fork in the road.
Anxiety, Stress Management & Depression
