Transition Tips
Clearly, we all undergo transitions during our lives; some are relatively seamless, but others can be varying degrees of difficult and painful. Examples of these transitions are adjusting to a new job or marriage, divorce, retirement, or losing a loved one.
As a life and relationship coach specializing in transitions, I’d like to offer some guidelines for effectively navigating any kind of challenging change period.
Increase self-care: You will need to pay greater attention to eating healthy foods, drinking a lot of water, exercising daily, getting sufficient rest, and regularly deepening your breath. Recreation and engaging in hobbies can offer a sufficient diversion from the stress of your adjustment, even when you don’t feel in the mood to have fun or let down. Developing a consistent meditation practice can also relieve stress and serve as a form of temporary detachment. All of these methods involve a reprieve from dwelling on your acute difficulties.
Modify Your Thinking: Consciously replace negative self-talk with positive or proactive thoughts. Seek affirming thoughts and attitudes that don’t require force-fitting. One such simple practice is acknowledging any kind of progress. A deeper intention is to strive to gradually learn amidst your challenging experiences.
Vent: Seek outlets for expressing your emotions. These can range from allowing yourself to have a good cry to journaling to physical release, e.g. chopping wood, throwing darts, bowling, or even ripping papers. Doing puzzles and playing board or video games are other forms of diversion.
Engage in a Team Sport or Artistic Activity: As a spectator and/or active participant, consider some of the following examples: music, crafts, dance, cooking, or your favorite sports.
Pray Often: Reaching out to whatever you refer to as a higher power for support and guidance is a time-tested means of easing your transition. You could attend a service at a religious institution and/or do your own spiritual practices, as basic as immersing yourself in nature.
Support from Others: When you can be vulnerable and authentic with caring, compassionate people, such as family, friends, and/or close associates, such as co-workers, you can gain comfort as well as some fresh perspectives. Similarly, support groups targeted to people with your issues can provide relief and invaluable assistance.
Professional Support: If you are continually struggling or need guidance from a professional, make an appointment to speak with a licensed psychotherapist, a certified life coach (such as myself), or a clergy member. Taking a relevant class may also provide useful information.
Your adjustment through your transition period will require adopting many of the above-listed guidelines. Initially, you may not experience smooth sailing, but through persistence and time, I assure you that you will turn the corner.
Your life coach,
Jim Sharon
(303) 796-7004
jim@energyforlife.us
Jim Sharon, EdD is a recently retired licensed psychologist and couples' coach who has over four decades of professional experience serving thousands as a counselor, as a life and relationship coach, and as a seminar and retreat facilitator. Dr. Sharon has authored and edited many professional publications, including HeartWise: Deepening and Evolving Love Relationships, published in 2021, as well as Secrets of a Soulful Marriage: Creating and Sustaining a Loving, Sacred Relationship, published in 2014 (both with Ruth Sharon, MS). Jim and Ruth have been married since 1970, have raised three adult children, and have three granddaughters and one grandson.