“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth. Do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19
How do you feel about change? Some people love change and new experiences, and others have a harder time making big life transitions. We often understand that transitions of all kinds are
tough on children, but we forget to acknowledge that major life changes are tough on adults too. Why are life transitions hard to deal with? Life transitions can come about for a lot of reasons. Some common transitions that can be difficult to cope with include:
- Going to college/changing schools
- Moving to a new house/ town with/without a new roommate or partner
- Starting or ending a relationship
- Becoming a parent
- Friendships ending
- Changes in a financial situation
- Being diagnosed with or developing an illness
Life transitions can take us out of our daily routine, away from our support networks and our comfort zones. They can even bring up feelings of grief, like grief for what used to be or grief for what will no longer be because of this life transition. Fear of the unknown can also make life transitions daunting. Change can sometimes make us feel unsafe because it takes us away from our daily routines, where we feel comfortable and secure. This is especially true for folks who have a trauma history. People with traumatic experiences in their backgrounds often experienced intense life transitions or chaotic environments that led them to feel chronically unsafe. Changes in the present can bring up those memories and make life transitions feel even more upsetting than they already are.
Are you in the middle of a life transition? Life transitions can be complicated emotionally, even when it’s for something positive. Ask for help! We’re not meant to go through life alone. We’re social creatures, and the connection is wired into our brains. Connecting with others helped our ancestors survive when things got hard, and connection can help you in the present when you struggle. Who is in your support system? Maybe you have folks in your life locally, or maybe most of your loved ones are at a distance. Spend some time thinking about who is in your support system and how you can ask for help when you need it. A lot of us feel uncomfortable asking for help because we feel like we have to figure everything out on our own. No one can make it alone, and asking for help (and giving help) is a big part of how we relate to others in our communities.
Another support avenue for tough life transitions is working with a counselor. Therapy is a safe, confidential space where you can make sense of what’s going on in your life and find ways to cope that leave you feeling supported. If you’re in the midst of a life transition and need some extra support, working with one of NuWell Counseling Services’ counselors can help you find ways to navigate changes that work for you. Reach out to NuWell Counseling Services office today to get started. Their desire is what has been lying dormant within you, that is, to THRIVE. Call NuWell Counseling Services for a free 30-minute consultation. Their online Christian counselors are equipped to help you through the transition.
