How to Navigate Challenging Life Transitions

When we’re young, life transitions are fun and empowering. We go from crawling to walking, walking to running. We start with training wheels but soon no longer need them. As we age we graduate into higher grades and become more independent.

But as adults, life transitions can feel not so fun and far from empowering, because life transitions can often include loss: loss of a job, a marriage, and loved ones. During these life transitions, we can feel out to sea, completely at the mercy of the tides that seem to be tossing our lifeboat around.

Skills We Teach In Life Transition Counseling

If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed right now because you are facing one or more life transitions, here are some ways you can navigate these choppy waters:

Slow Down

Have you noticed that the pace of life has picked up? Most likely your heartbeat and breathing have also picked up as a response. It’s time to slow down.

As simple as it may sound, slow, deep breaths are a powerful way to tell your body that everything is okay. Right now, your body is in “fight or flight mode,” as you subconsciously, and maybe even consciously, feel you are being attacked. Making time each day to be still, away from the noise and chaos to breathe deeply and slowly, will slow down your heart rate and make you feel calm and peaceful.

Embrace Uncertainty

I know, it seems completely counterintuitive if not downright impossible. But when we surrender control and embrace the unknown, with an almost scientific curiosity about outcomes, we feel positive emotions (curiosity, wonder) instead of negative emotions (lost, out of control).

Acknowledge the Cycles of Life

Someone once said, “This too shall pass.” Life, like weather, has seasons. While you may feel stuck right now and like nothing is going the way you hoped or planned, recognize the truth, which is, that this too shall pass. Transitions are just that, an uncomfortable bridge from one part of life to the next and know that you are not alone on this just like you’re going through a transition so are many others.

Practice Mindfulness and Gratitude

Practicing mindfulness involves being fully in the present moment, free of judgment, and aware of our thoughts and feelings without focusing on them. Mindfulness can reduce stress and increase happiness. Being grateful for the moment that we are in can help us see the transition from a different perspective which can lead to hope. Our trained life transitions therapists also offer Mindfulness Meditation and Therapy and can help you learn more.

Fall Back on Traditions

Rites of passage have been used for thousands of years in all cultures to help people transition from one place in life to another. It’s time to call upon this ancient wisdom of our ancestors and empower ourselves.

Rites of passage put us in the driver’s seat. We can acknowledge that things MUST change because we intuitively understand that the human journey is all about facing challenges and becoming new versions of ourselves.

Life, such as it is, throws us curve balls, sadness, and things that cast fear and doubt into our vision. This is natural and no one escapes.

But there ARE ways to navigate these challenges. Try these three tips. And if you’d like additional help along your journey The Mindful Practice can help with Life transitions therapy in Orlando.

Get Guidance Through Life Transitions Counseling In Winter Park, FL

Facing changes alone can be difficult especially when are bodies are stuck in “fight or flight” mode. Our life transitions therapists are to support you through whatever challenges you are facing right now. Through life transition counseling you will learn to techniques and skills similar to the ones listed above. All of which are designed to make the changes in your life, both the ones you currently faced and future events, easier to navigate. In order to get started in life transition therapy at The Mindful Practice follow these steps:

1. Contact us for a free consultation
2. Schedule your first life transition counseling appointment with a life transitions therapist.
3. Start handling the changes in your life with ease

Other Counseling Services Offered at The Mindful Practice in Winter Park, FL

At our Winter Park, FL-based counseling practice we offer both in-person and online therapy to anyone in Florida. We offer treatment for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and trauma. As well as counseling for teens, grief, social anxiety disorder, and post-bariatric surgery. Some of the techniques we use include EMDR, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and more. Please reach out to us to start getting support for your mental health.

SOURCES:

• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201703/10-ways-make-it-through-your-life-s-transitions
• https://chopra.com/articles/9-ways-to-navigate-loss-change-and-transition