Life transition is inevitable. We were created to age, grow, mature, and ultimately go through all seasons of life. The weather outside gives evidence of the changing of seasons in the natural and in the spiritual. Everything around us screams change, but it's human nature to resist it. Why is that? Change is unavoidable, so how do we navigate its coming?

As someone who has seen her fair share of transition, here are my top tips for navigating life transition! (In easy-to-remember rhyming words - 'cause why not!)

Now, I've always been a Fall girl myself. I geek out over all the burnt oranges, mustard yellows, dark browns, pumpkin-spiced everything, and fall festivals. But truthfully, this has no bearing on how much I enjoy change, LOL. If you're anything like me, you've probably had your fair share of change and hated almost every minute of it! And if that's you, well, this article is for you!

Here are some of my favorite tips for life transition that will be life-changing if you embrace them (no pun intended).

Top Tips for Life Transition

#1) embrace it

The first thing that we must do during seasons of life transition is EMBRACE IT. One of the most common and human-like responses that we have to change is resistance. Even our bodies hate it. When we start trying to get healthy, our bodies will often try to store all our energy (fat cells) because it doesn't want to lose anything. Transition looks like dying, and dying is uncomfortable.

Years ago, when we moved overseas from a little town in North Carolina where we had lived comfortably for 10 years, I was initially excited about the change. But as the idea of goodbye settled in, the transition became more difficult. The grief of one season ending overtook my excitement for the next one. I wanted things to stay the same in many ways, but the idea that they would never be the same started becoming my reality. The last thing I wanted to do was embrace the change. In fact, the life transition got harder as we moved, and I began living a new life in a new place. Old friends were moving on with new friends. My old patterns were more lonely and less busy. I went from more friends than I could count to only a few friends that could be counted on one hand.

It was hard. Change is hard.

Through all of it, the moment I began to see the beauty in it was when I decided to embrace it. Coming to the reality of the life transition that is coming or has come is one of the most helpful things you can do. Fighting change doesn't stop it from coming.

Start with a deep breath in accepting the transition as what is, and try your best to breathe out letting go of what has been.

Grieve it if you must, but by all means, release it.

#2) grace it

The second thing I've found helpful in seasons of life transition is to have grace. Grace for yourself. Grace for others. Grace for your body and mind. Grace, by the simplest definition, is showing kindness. Transition is hard, and you need kindness toward yourself and others in the process. Letting go of high expectations for yourself during seasons of life transition is essential to your overall well-being.

Because I told you at the beginning that I'm no stranger to change, I'll make it clear that I learned this one the hard way. For years, during various season changes, I would beat myself up for not having the ability to pick up and move forward quickly. You see, for me, because of my very relational nature, I often have to grieve a past season and all the relationships that I had to lose when I left it.

This can be a long, drawn-out, and incredibly painful process.

I've learned that if I will give myself grace for that process, knowing it's inevitable, then I'm less likely to stress myself out and also less likely to aim for any level of perfection during that time.

In new seasons, grace IS success.

#3) pace it

Lastly, in seasons of life transition, pace is important. When you pace yourself, you are walking at a steady and consistent speed. It's neither fast nor slow, and it's different for everyone, but one thing about it is that it's a speed and rate at which you can maintain. Some process change quickly, and others much slower, and none of it is either right or wrong.

Life change processing is all about whatever pace is healthiest for you. Go at a speed that is best for your mental health and for your body.

If you're moving, maybe take some time before you put a ton of expectations on yourself. Pace the expectations. Pace the progress reports. Pace the emotions. Pace the grief of one season so you can embrace the next.

If you're changing jobs or adding children to your family, give yourself time to learn the ropes and go at a slow and steady speed that makes you feel most comfortable.

These have been my top tips for navigating life transition. I hope they help you with success towards your overall mental wellness journey and your newest season of life!

If you are currently on a journey of life transition and would like someone with years of experience to help coach you through, click this link for my newest coaching program. I'd love to cheer you through the life changes you're experiencing! 

Saying Goodbye to Anxious,

Kristina G.