Life Transitions are changes in life.
They can be stages that are necessary to go through or unplanned, unexpected changes. They can be forced upon us or changes we have planned. They can bring us joy or they can create sadness. We may embrace them or we may fear them.
What all Life Transitions have in common is that they force us to leave behind a familiar way of life in exchange for something new, something we may not feel competent to face. They can certainly test us, test our strengths, our resolve, and our relationships. The may force us to look deep within ourselves in order to find new coping strategies and develop new strengths to help us face what lies ahead.
Some unexpected transitions that may test us to the limit and leave us vulnerable, fragile and frightened are:
- Death of a loved one
- Divorce
- Loss of a job
- Caring for a sick, elderly parent
- Illness of a loved one
Some planned new phases of life that we may rejoice in but may still test us and our relationships are:
- Having a baby
- Marriage
- Buying a new home
- Sending a child to college
- Facing retirement
If you feel the challenges of a life transition are too difficult to handle, too confusing or have strained your relationships too much, it may be time to seek the help of a trained professional. I can help you sort through your options, carefully plan the steps you need to take, and develop new coping strategies so you can feel more confident and more equipped to handle what lies ahead.
I am one of Psychology Today’s Expert bloggers. If you are facing an Empty Nest, read my blog article entitled “Empty Nest Without Feeling Empty” on the Psychology Today website for some tips and encouragement.
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