In the last post I shared what is involved in transitions and what are the three phases that people go through. Today I'm going to share with you five practical strategies to make the journey of transition easier
- Take control of your life. Validate and accept that change is a fact (rumors only make things worst). What can you do now to help you through a difficult transition? Practice finding the good in the transition. It's not what happens to you that causes you to respond the way you do, but how you choose to react to what happens. Take charge of your thoughts and actions and you will be able to control better how you respond.
- Give yourself time. It takes time to reflect and reorient. You can’t rush through transition. You also need time to take good care of yourself in order to handle the extra stress that a transition brings. Do something for yourself everyday that you find comforting and pleasurable. Get a normal amount of sleep and make sure your diet is healthy. Try to get some exercise everyday, even if it is only a walk around the block.
- Be open and flexible. Arrange temporary routines. Hold on to those parts of your life that provide comfort and security, but remember you need to create new ways of being. If your transition involves a job loss, find temporary work until you discover what you want to do over the long run. If you have lost a relationship, there is no need to isolate yourself from all of your friends. Hold on to those who can comfort you, and also look for new friends.
- Tolerate the Discomfort. Transitions can introduce confusion and disorientation into your lives. Expect to experience times of anxiety and insecurity. Embrace the grieving process: anger, frustration, sadness, anxiety, acceptance. These are natural feelings and an important part of the process, but they are only temporary. Trust in your own ability to see your way through the transition. Above all, realize that using alcohol and drugs will only make the process worst. Face your challenge with integrity.
- Find the Support You Need. The value of good friends is hard to over-emphasize. Research suggests that people with friends to rely on during stressful times experience fewer of the negative effects of high stress levels. Other possible resources are loving family members, self-help publications, special talents and abilities, such as a positive attitude, good health, and an appreciation of the beauty around you. A coach, or a psychotherapist can also help if needed. All of these resources can help you through life's transitions. Learn to recognize and use them.
Remember. . .
To make the most out of a time of transition, assess and take control of your life, give yourself time, be open and flexible, tolerate discomfort, and find support. Yet, the biggest factor in a successful transition is you. You make all the difference in the world – regardless of the circumstances. You choose success or failure. You choose action or stagnation. Turn transition into a positive, growth experience. Embrace each life transition with gusto!
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