MANAGING LIFE TRANSITIONS: Why me? Why now?

"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." ~ Victor Frankel

Living is a process of adapting to change.  No one escapes this reality and everyone is vulnerable to the uncertainty change brings.

Many transitions we plan for ourselves.  But even changes that are positive and anticipated - going away to college, accepting a job promotion, marriage, purchasing a home, the birth of a child—can be diverted by surprises.  Unanticipated transitions can traumatize us—the death of a loved one, being downsized at work, serious illness, ending a relationship—events such as these may shake our foundations.

One objective of successful living is to resolve to adapt as best you can to whatever comes your way.  That spirit of resilience helps in restoring balance and serenity.  Learning to move through life's transitions, accepting setbacks and crisis, pursuing new opportunities in spite of adversity are ways we grow in wisdom.

Here are some coping skills to manage stress during a transitional event:

1. Resolve to adapt: Transition affects all life forms constantly.  When change impacts you, resolving to adapt helps you restore balance and live in harmony with the world around you.

2.  Express yourself.  Give yourself time to work through your feelings about the transitional event.  Grieve your losses, celebrate your joys and then focus on moving forward  with your life.

3. Don't panic. There is always time.  Take it.  Think.  Make plans. Explore  possibilities.   Share ideas and concerns with mentors.

4. Stay sober.  Alcohol and drugs  divert your focus, provide no solutions and prolong the discomfort.

5. Take care of yourself.  Stress can compromise your physical and mental states of wellness. Attention to diet, exercise, spiritual and mental health can help you restore yourself to balance.

Having a caring, competent professional to work with during a time of transition isn't a sign of weakness; it's a sign of taking caring of self. If you or someone you know is in need of support during a life transition, please call me to schedule an appointment. Let's talk one-on-one about how my coaching and therapy practice can serve you. I can be reached at my Uptown New Orleans office at 504-481-8997.

Dr. Eileen Wynne