Life is full of transition, full of change. Change is the only constant after all. Just as seasons shift, the landscapes of our lives and bodies change as we mature and enter into different life stages. Transition can look different to different people and can impact us in all spheres of being. We go through physical transitions such as peri/menopause, transitions from wellness into poor health and sometime into disease and sometimes we transition back from disease into a state of good health again. We transition into pregnancy, into old age and all the physical changes, aches and bothers and emotional responses we have to this.
We transition in our careers- into time of growth and expansion, into times of consolidation and refinement. We change in various life stages whether it is transitioning into parenthood and all the adjustment that comes with that or perhaps, retirement and the reflection of what that means for our sense of purpose and identity.
The Emotional Landscape of Change
Whatever the sphere of life transition is occurring in, we are usually facing significant physical and emotional challenge. Emotionally, there is often a dual sense of grief and loss over what was and sometimes simultaneously a sense of excitement, wonder and possibility at the potential of new growth to come. Often this sense of duality and dichotomy in response to our transition brings with it a sense of confusion – transition often asks much of ourselves in that we hold both pain and beauty close.We often need to embrace a sense of uncertainty and unknowing about what life will look like on the other side of the abyss of limbo. We are challenged to surrender into the process of change.
A Year and a Lifetime of Transition
2024 was a poignant year of transition for many of us on global, national and personal levels for me on many levels. It prompted me to cast my mind back to all the moments of significant transition prior- transitioning into marriage, motherhood, becoming a medical professional, moving houses and cities, processing heartbreak and indeed loss. My transition into motherhood as a working woman held particular challenges and insights which I share here.
A Medical Perspective on Navigating Change
I am also privy to the absolute privilege of watching and participating in the process of transition in my patient’s lives every day. Whether it is the transitions of life or transitioning into our midlife or maturing years comes with so much physical and psychological change- I understand and have deep insight into the challenges but I have also come to see that with insight, reflection and strategy we can navigate the process of transition with far more ‘ease’ and a deeper sense of empowerment rather than helplessness and turmoil.
I have often commented that watching a per/menopausal woman, for example, achieve hormone balance is akin to me like a phoenix rising again from the ashes- with the physical scaffolding of the body in place we have the resilience, energy and vitality to live with more meaning and purpose and indeed the perspective within our minds can shift with far more agility to tackle the emotional and mental aspects of whatever transition we are facing. I am again reminded about the mind-body-mind interface and how important it is to hold and support the whole person in this regard.
A Helpful Tool for Times of Transition: The 3 P’s
In Sheryl Sandberg’s book, Option B, she gives us insight into her process of transition as she faced the death of her husband. It is a great read for anyone going through death, divorce or indeed any sense of loss. She touches on the simultaneously experience of pain and growth in any transition and used a lovely reference which I share with you now as a tool to remember as you navigate whatever transition you may be facing within your own life: “the 3P’s”
- It is not personal
- It is not permanent
- It is not pervasive ( this area of your life that is changing, feels insecure does not need to affect all the other areas of your life and is not a reflection of all the other areas of your life)
