Balanced Living

Change or Transition?

What’s the difference between “change” and “transition?”

“Change” is situational and external; such as moving to a new city or becoming a parent. In contrast, “transition” is psychological or internal. Transitions are the internal work that helps us to reorient and redefine ourselves and incorporate external changes into our lives.

How can you turn a challenging major life change into an opportunity?

1. Slow down; for example - rather than getting back on the internet and going out dating right away at the end of a relationship, why not take some time for yourself.
2. Reconnect with yourself and what you enjoy - Take some time alone to think about times in your life when you felt really happy and alive. Think about things you used to do and haven’t for some time or things you’ve dreamed of doing and have never taken the time for. Begin doing them - start with one activity and note how it makes you feel.
3. Be aware of and acknowledge your feelings rather than push them down and not allowing yourself to experiencing them; this is important to begin the process of healing from the inside out.  Your feelings might be out of balance. Intense emotions around transitions might be the result of attaching old fears and anxieties to new situations. When you do not clean up your old baggage it tends to resurface in times of stress. Make sure you do not make your transition more stressful by compounding your fears.
4. Express those feelings through journaling , painting, drawing, etc.
5. Nurture/pamper yourself - go for a massage; buy a new outfit; eat at your favorite restaurant. Do something special for yourself and remember that you deserve the best.
6. Spend time in nature - go for a walk by yourself in a nearby park or plan a hike with a friend; being in nature is grounding, helps clear us of negative energy, relaxes us and helps our minds become more clear.
7. Exercise - do something physical such as a good walk, yoga or a swim; these help the energy flow and also assist in getting rid of tension, anger and stress.
8. Reach out for support - to a friend, counselor or life coach.  Thousands of people rely on coaches to help them through transitional periods in their life. By using a coach you get the depth of someone else’s experiences and the benefit of having structured guidance.

Remember that change affects everything. Your life is a whole system so there is no way to make even small changes and not have them influence other parts of your life. Make sure you look at your transitions from a holistic viewpoint.

If you change your perspective around a major transition and see it as an opportunity for growth, fun and self-learning, positive things will begin to happen in your life.

Here’s to connecting, creating and transforming your life to one of joy, fulfillment and balance!