When you read a book, does everything always go as expected? Is there a straight road from start to finish? No, because this would make for a pretty boring book. Life is just the same. The twists and turns in our own personal journey are what make life interesting. These changes come in all different shapes and sizes some are positive others are negative but almost always stressful. How we handle that stress can determine the impact it has on our lives.

Transition Periods

Have you just moved to Uni? Started a new job? Relocated? Or maybe these are coming soon. These stages of life add an additional stress to everyday life. Maybe you have lost that old routine. Maybe it’s just a lot of new things to deal with from people all the way to a totally new environment. Did you ever consider maybe it is normal to feel stressed with so much going on. But all this stress may lead to emotional burnout, so it is important to deal with it.

Tips for the Transition Period

Organization – Being ready for the next chapter in your life is so important. Making to-do lists, packing lists, getting a diary to write down your new responsibilities. Anything to make you feel the most prepared you can be for the exciting adventure that you are about to begin on. However, as we know we cannot always be prepared for everything, so it is important to be flexible when things do go wrong.

Flexibility via adopting a growth mindset – Creating a positive standpoint on any new challenges is important to success during these periods. Notice how I said it was important, not easy. But there are a few things to think about when trying to reframe your mind. Developing a growth mindset. I can’t do it – Changes to – I can’t do it YET. Realising that if you can’t do something right now doesn’t mean you won’t ever be able to do it. We as humans are born learners- We learn to talk, walk, write, read and even sometimes drive. But we don’t just do these things straight away it always takes time. So don’t just celebrate the end goals, celebrate the small achievements along the way. These steps are key to keeping positive during a potentially difficult or new transition period. By doing these things you are on your way to embracing the challenges ahead rather than being overwhelmed by them.

It is inevitable that stressful situations will occur during these periods even with all the preparation and planning, that is why having resources to cope are so important.

Support systems – Always remember it is okay to ask for help, maybe someone has been through something similar. When going through a transition using old support systems is a great way to chat about how you are feeling and ask for advice. Technology has made it easier than ever to contact people no matter how far away! It is also important to establish new support systems at your new stage of life. Different perspectives on situations are just another thing which keeps life interesting.

Self-care – It can be stressful going through these transitions whether you’re alone or have a support network. It is important to control the controllables, maybe this new chapter was not in your hands. So, take back control by controlling your self-care practices. This can include whatever helps you take care of yourself, taking a bath, going for a walk, reading or meditation. You are in control, so you decide what is best for you.

Last Chapter

Stress should not be feared in these transitions, it is a natural response to change. But this does not control your journey. Each new challenge is the opportunity to build and fight that stress and embrace it in a positive way. You are the main character, be your own author.

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