How to Prepare for Life Transitions & Challenges

How do you deal with change? Change seems to be constant. As soon as you get used to life as it is, something shifts. It can be really frustrating.

Sometimes we change. We decide we want something different and move in a new direction. This can feel exciting and we can be so eager for something to happen that we end up neglecting other areas of our life, causing conflicting emotions. Positive change such as a relocation, new job or promotion may come with unforeseen challenges that create upheaval in our personal life. Many times, it's unplanned change such as a layoff, car accident, pandemic, or health diagnosis that throws us into a downward spiral. Either way, there are a lot of factors out of our control, and that can be unnerving.

It is possible to prepare for change. There are things we can do everyday to feel more at ease with the uncertainty of life in general, and support us when things shift within us, and around us.

Commit to Healthy Living

Resilience is essential for confidently moving through life challenges and transitions. Committing to a healthy lifestyle that supports your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health means you will be well grounded whenever change decides to make an appearance. Things like lack of sleep, excess alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, and chronic stress can impair our immune system and cognitive function day-to-day. Eventually when change happens we are even more susceptible to illness and burnout.

Rest, eating well, exercising, practicing mindfulness and meditation, healthy boundaries, spending time on hobbies and with uplifting people, and connecting to your faith, all support you during times of change and transition. Often with the added stress change brings, our healthy daily habits are one of the first things we compromise. In reality, they are what we need most to stay positive and focused.

Stay Organized

Having organizational systems in place supports daily stress reduction and prevents additional anxiety. No one likes wondering if they forgot to pay a bill or searching for an important document when they need it. Change can bring high tension and added stress so being proactive and knowing that you are organized and prepared for anything can help you stay calm.

People usually think of systems and processes as something that exists solely in their work life, but there is a huge benefit to implementing them at home too. Staying organized takes the guesswork out of where to put your time and energy. It helps you build positive habits and reduces procrastination, which is key in navigating and overcoming obstacles.

Focus on Solutions

When change is happening and obstacles arise, it's easy to focus on what isn't working. If there's a problem, then there's a solution. Right? Take time to brainstorm and think creatively about what resources you have available. What are your best options? What actions can you take to bring you closer to what you want to accomplish, or the end result you're working toward? What haven't you tried yet? Staying solution driven doesn't mean doing everything yourself either. Who can you ask for help?

In any situation there is only so much we personally can do. Be careful not to fall into perfectionism, or cross the boundary of over-functioning. Do what you can and exercise patience.

Support Yourself

Having a support system of people who can help you is a game changer when it comes to making it through challenges and life transitions. You aren't meant to do everything alone. Rewrite the narrative that says you should have everything figured out as an adult. If you have a partner/spouse, you both might need more than what the other person can offer, especially if you are both going through the transition together.

Practice good mental health hygiene by having a go-to therapist or counselor you can meet with regularly even if nothing major is happening in your life. Therapy and counseling are wonderful tools to make sense of past and present events, and understand yourself and others on a deeper level. When you already have an established relationship with a mental health professional you will feel more grounded day-to-day, and you know who to turn to when you need extra support.

Coaches are also professional space holders who create an environment where you can be heard, and empowered to find answers and actions that create forward momentum in your life. There are all types of coaches who specialize in specific niches so be sure to do your research and choose a coach feels like the best fit for your needs.

Thoughts to ponder, or journal prompts:

- How do you respond to life challenges?

What thoughts, emotions, or behavioral patterns come up for you?

- What actions are you prepared and committed to taking to support yourself, become more resilient, and prepare for life transitions and challenges?

** If you are currently coming out of, within, or headed into a life transition, or time of significant change and are interested in exploring coaching with me, I invite you to book a free discovery call CLICK HERE.