Life Transition
As we move through life, we go through many life changes. It can be challenging to navigate through a time of transition. Perhaps these situations have caused stress, depression, anxiety, irritability, or insecurity. At times these moments can feel that hope is nowhere to be found.
Symptoms of Transition
Personal growth
Moving to a new area
Graduating high school
Starting college
Graduating college
Entering the workforce
Starting or ending a romantic relationship
Getting married
Having children
Changing careers
Losing someone you love - death, break up, divorce
Coming out to your family and friends
Questions you might be asking yourself.
Was my decision the right one? When making a significant life change, you may face many choices. The stress caused by working through options you believe best fit for you may leave you questioning your decisions. When asking about your decisions or being unhappy with the results of your choices, these thoughts can prevent you from moving forward.
Who will I turn to if I’m alone? You may be an independent adult for the first time with many transitions. This may be the first time you no longer rely on your parents or a spouse to help you make decisions. It can cause you to wonder if you can make decisions independently and how you will create a life independently.
Am I meeting everyone’s expectations? You may feel that you have pressure from people in your life. You may want to walk one path, while others may expect you to walk another. This may create conflict internally if you are struggling to meet the expectations of others or what you want differs from others.
Where do I go now? You may be at a point in your transition where you need to know your goals and the next step. Trying to create and understand what your next step is can feel overwhelming, and it is that you do not know what choice to make next.
Who am I? In many cases, our parents teach us morals and values that, as adults, we question. These morals and values may be connected to your culture, religion, or sexual identity. When you enter a transitional period or change, it can lead you to evaluate your morals and values.
I have goals, but how do I accomplish them? You may have a clear view of your goals but don’t know how to reach them. Trying to figure out the following steps, what may stand in your way, and how to overcome obstacles can be challenging to do on your own.
Benefits of life transition counseling
Counseling is tailored to your specific needs and the life transition that you are encountering. By understanding your thoughts, reactions, emotions, and environmental factors, we can create ways that will help you cope and adapt to changes. We may develop strategies to help you feel more in control of your emotional and mental well-being. For some people, we look at how their internal thoughts may cause them to feel hopeless.
Transitions of any type can trigger unsettling feelings. This can include past issues, memories, and traumas. You may feel like all is at a loss one minute, and you can feel hopeful the next. It can feel like being a stranger in your own body.
Transitions are a part of life. They are a time of opening up to understanding yourself more and an opportunity to strengthen your inner self. Whether you have chosen your transition or the transition came without you having the option, this transition offers you a chance to reinforce your self-resiliency and self-confidence. It is a time to increase your ability to make conscious choices.
It may feel discouraging to sort out your feelings with a counselor. However, we can strengthen your sense of well-being and control, helping you through the difficulties and creating a smoother transition. It is hard to see through the fog when you feel overwhelmed, yet with your best intentions. The fog interferes with your intention to make the best choice for you. When you are given a chance to voice your feelings and thoughts in a safe place, with a skilled listener, you will begin to understand and manage those feelings and thoughts.