Life Transitions
Life Transitions: “Sounds great” or “Do I really have to? Maybe I rather just stay put”
As we journey through life, as a child, teenager, adult, husband, wife, parent, middle aged person, elderly person, we go through life transitions which sometimes are so simple they go unnoticed. Other transitions can be incredibly difficult adjustments that create intense feelings and can cause us to stop dead in our tracks. The greater the perceived change or transitions to the individual’s life, is the greater the task of adjusting to the change. Counseling can provide a safe, understanding place to express the uncertainty, fears and doubts regarding this new life and create a less stressful transition. It offers an opportunity to explore ways you can adjust to your new life with the least resistance in order to experience a sense of acceptance and contentment. Change can be difficult, it off our equilibrium and renders some discomfort due to the unknown. Fears are frequently related to the uncertainty of what that new life role in life will be like and whether we will be fully equipped to handle and embrace that new life and still experience a sense of well-being.
Life Transitions Related To Changes In Relationships/Status
Within the life cycle there are transitions that are related to change in status due to loosing or acquiring something or someone. These include:
- Marriage
- Divorce
- Marital Separation
- Termination of a relationship
- Moving/Relocating
- Unemployment/Employment
These changes may occur at any time during the life cycle. Therapy can assist in expressing and validating the value and attachment that you have towards that life and help you to move through the process, adjust and accept your new life with a sense of anticipation
Life Transitions As A Natural Part Of The Life Cycle
Many life transitions are celebrated as an accomplishment of life transitioning from one natural life cycle development to another. Other life cycle transitions come with a sense of dread, a sense of loss and we may find ourselves wanting to hold on to the current life situation and not let go. The following life cycle transitions may fall in either or both categories:
- Birth of a child
- Child going to school
- Child leaving home
- Aging
- Menopause
- Retirement
- Becoming a Caretaker to Parent, Spouse etc.
- Death of a loved one
The Life Transition Of Aging
Transitions of Aging become especially challenging due to the many changes and adjustments of the aging process. As you age you become more aware of your mortality. This can be unsettling. As you grow older you usually become reflective of the life you lived, identifying your accomplishments and your failures. These reflections can sometimes cause regret and anxiety as you may realize that in most cases you can no longer go back to change some of the things you wished you had done. Processing some of these unsettling feelings during talk therapy can help you to gain clarity on the past which invariably results in acceptance and a sense of peace regarding your current life experience. Counseling for the transition of aging gives you the opportunity to process the ways aging has affected your life such as:
- physically
- mentally
- emotionally
- socially
- financially
- your living situation
- everyday activities
How Therapy Can Help You To Deal With Feelings Of Loss Of Independence
Therapy can provide an outlet for the person experiencing aging by verbalizing some of your concerns regarding aging as well as any other concerns. In most cases letting go of your independence and having to rely on others or be more dependent on others, is of paramount concern. Work, career may have provided you with a sense of fulfillment and worth. No longer working you may experience a diminished sense of usefulness and maybe even begin to question whether life has much meaning. In therapy you can be guided to consider the things in life that you can do or achieve that will bring meaning and fulfillment to your life. You can begin to consider the things/activities in life that can bring you pleasure and a sense of joy. The counselling process can identify your inner strengths and your value that you bring to this life and help to give you a sense of purpose. Acknowledging the value of your life experience and your wisdom can assist in accepting the aging process and offer a sense of worth, contentment and peace.