Have you ever felt like you need a transition in life but do not know what you want or how to make these changes? If you are unhappy about where you are in life and struggling with life transition challenges, you are not alone. Many people hit roadblocks now and then in their lives. The key to overcoming life transition challenges is how we cope with them.
What is a life transition?
Life transitions are the periods in an individual’s life when changes take place. These transitions can be positive or negative, and may be planned or unplanned. Life transition challenges tend to coincide with important events such as: death of a loved one, getting married, divorce, having a baby, relocation, changing careers, buying a house, or being involved in an accident. Significant events may bring about anxiety, stress, and a level of uncertainty when our lives are disrupted. These changes force us to let go of what feels familiar to adjust to something which is new and unfamiliar.
Re-evaluating our lives
It is common for people to struggle with adjusting to new life changes as it can be quite distressing and emotional. Individuals may feel many different emotions and this can be rather overwhelming. During periods around significant life events, people may stop to re-evaluate their lives and ask themselves questions around their successes and where they are going in life. We may become disappointed in ourselves when we realise that we have not met our expectations of what we thought our lives would be.
Therapy for change
If your life transition challenges are leading to anxiety, stress, and depression, then it may be time to seek professional help. Your therapist can help you explore coping mechanisms to deal with your current adjustment challenges. Big life changes can bring about stress. If you know that you do not cope well with major life changes then it may be helpful to speak to a therapist about these changes before they occur. In this way, you will be more prepared to face the potential challenges in the future.