Imagine you're a cactus deciding to relocate from the scorching desert to a trendy urban apartment. From sand to hardwood floors, it is a prickly transition! But armed with sunscreen and a sense of humour, you will learn to thrive in a world where hydration comes from a faucet, not a monsoon. Just remember, when life throws shade, bloom where you are planted!"

"Regardless of age or gender, as living beings, we all undergo changes. From birth to death, we reside under the roof of constant change. At every stage of life, we encounter various levels of transition, each teaching us valuable lessons about change. While some life transitions may proceed smoothly, many individuals struggle to adjust and find these periods highly stressful and distressing. Experiencing a life transition can evoke a range of emotions in people."

Easy Ways To Cope

FIND HUMOUR IN MOST OF THE SITUATION:

 Trying to find a funny moment during an unfunny situation can be a fantastic way to create the levity needed to see a vexing problem from a new perspective. 

Life transitions are a bit like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the instructions – you are bound to end up with a few extra screws and a lot of confusion along the way! But hey, at least you'll have a good story to tell at the next family gathering, right?

TALK ABOUT PROBLEMS THAN FEELINGS:

One of the most common myths of coping with unwanted changes is the idea that we can “work through” our anger, fears, and frustrations by talking about them a lot. This isn’t always the case. In fact, research shows that actively and repeatedly broadcasting negative emotions hinders our natural adaptation process

Photo by  Ross Findon Team  on  Unsplash

FOCUS ON YOUR VALUES INSTEAD OF FEARS:

Reminding ourselves of what’s important to us — family, friends, religious convictions, scientific achievement, great music, creative expression, and so on — can create a surprisingly powerful buffer against whatever troubles may be ailing us.

Accept the past, but fight for the future. Even though we are never free from change, we are always free to decide how we respond to it.

CHANGE HOW YOU THINK:

The way you think about change plays a major role in determining how well you deal with it. You will see that this life transition is opening the door to new opportunities and possibilities. Even if the transition didn’t start out being a “positive” one. Either way, by intentionally keeping an open mind, you’ll find that everything needed to happen the way it did for one reason or another. So make the effort to accept the change.

MAINTAIN ROUTINES:

When the world is changing all around you, holding on to some sense of normalcy can be a useful way to minimize stress and find comfort. Research has found that maintaining routines can help people get a better handle on symptoms of stress and anxiety

Simple things like going to bed and waking up at the same time each morning can provide you with a sense of structure, even if it feels like other areas of your life are less predictable.

The routine that works for you depends on your own situation and needs. Think about the habits and daily activities that bring you comfort and peace and try to work some of those into your day, even if you are dealing with difficult or dramatic shifts in your life.

TRY TO EAT AS HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE:

The Association of British Dietitians recommends essential fats (nuts, seeds, avocados, Omega 3 oils), complex carbohydrates (oats, grains, brown rice), lean protein (meat, fish, eggs, lentils, beans), and whole grains, fruits and veg for essential vitamins and mineral.

Photo by  Damon Hall Team  on  Unsplash

PRIORITISE SELF CARE:

You can’t benefit others if you are not taking care of yourself first. Be sure to get plenty of sleep, nourish your body with proper nutrition, and get movement in as much as possible. Also, be sure to focus on your mental health as well by meditating, journaling and getting therapy or coaching.

Another important thing to note here is to be kind to yourself during this time. Give yourself compassion, especially if you experience setbacks or doubt. You are human and transitions aren’t easy even if it’s one that’s supposed to be a happy one (i.e marriage or a new baby).

TAKE ACTION YOUR PLAN:

The final way to handle a life transition is to create a plan of action. How do you want this transition to go? You are the creator of your life and you get to choose how things go. So create achievable goals and then break them down into manageable steps.

One final thought I have about handling a life transition is that there is no “right” way to do this. Avoid comparing yourself to others because everyone is on their own unique path. Remain focused on your journey and you’ll see that by following some of the tips listed in this article, your life transition will feel a little less difficult.