By Kristine Gentry, Ph.D.
Right now, we are dealing with a global pandemic that has forced all of us into a time of transition to varying degrees. Some of us have had our lives changed immeasurably, while others have only had to make relatively minor adjustments to their daily lives. However, we have all had to react to this pandemic in some way.
Life Transitions Happen to All of Us
Most major life transitions consist of a series of smaller transitions that pile on top of each other. For some people, their work has continued through the pandemic and their social lives may have even continued more or less as before. However, for others, they lost their jobs, lost their homes, have children who cannot attend school in person, and don’t know how they will get back on their feet. The latter is an example of a major life transition that is caused by a series of smaller transitions happening all at once. We all have times in our lives where transitions pile up. When transitions accumulate and we find ourselves going through major transitions, we have to stop, focus, and figure out a new way of doing things. We have to adjust to a new way of living.
Life transitions include things like moving, getting married or getting divorced, starting a new job, losing a job, retiring from a job, buying a house, selling a house, adding a child to your family, going to college, having a serious illness or injury, losing a loved one, losing a pet, losing a job, or any other major loss. As we have seen by living during a pandemic, transitions can affect large groups of people – natural disasters lead to major life transitions for thousands of people at a time. Or, they can impact only you and your immediate family. For example, the forest fires in California versus an individual house fire.
Transitions can be planned or unplanned and voluntary or involuntary. You might think that a planned, voluntary transition should be easy. However, research has shown that even planned and voluntary transitions, like moving, can be among the most difficult. Bruce Feiler, author of Life is in the Transitions writes, “Lifequakes may be voluntary or involuntary, but navigating the transitions that flow from them can only be voluntary. We must choose to deploy the skills,” (16). He explains that we can all learn skills to help us move through transitions more successfully. It is our response and reaction to transitions that is always voluntary.
Regardless of the type of transition you face, you are likely to be experiencing a wide range of feelings. Fear, anxiety, sadness, stress, loneliness, longing, tiredness, and sleeplessness are common emotions that can be hard to handle. You may be feeling more positive emotions too, depending on the type of transition, such as excitement, relief, and joy. You may even feel a mixture of these emotions. For many people going through major life transitions, they are simply overwhelmed and don’t know where to turn for help.
You Don’t Have to Do this Alone – And It’s Best Not To
The team at All Life Transitions understands how difficult major life changes can be. We have all been through them and are currently going through them too. That is why we have created All Life Transitions – to help people through these hard times.
We offer a wide variety of services, solutions, and resources to help you through whatever life transition you may be facing. We can help you build a team of professional to help you through your transition. Whether you are in need of a counselor, an attorney, or a realtor, we can help you find the people you need. We can also connect you to numerous services of which you may be in need from cleaning out your home to inheritance funding to obituary writing. Unsure of where to start? Schedule free consultation with a Concierge Manager today.
