Bridging Transitions

This weekend, my sister and her daughter moved to Toronto from our home town. A good friend of mine dropped his daughter off at university, four hours away. My cousin had her first baby.

Life is full of transitions.

Sometimes they are well planned and executed, like when we seek and secure new employment. Sometimes they hit us cold and hard, like when we are told our job has been restructured. Every transition has its unique set of possibilities, emotions and risks. This summer I walked across the Carrick-a-Rede bridge in Northern Ireland. There is a small hike to get there, and then you see the rope bridge and the gorge underneath. It is pretty frightening. I really needed to pry myself from the safety of where I was. Then you start walking along and before you know it you have made it across. Once you get across, the scenery is beautiful; scenery that I did not see or fully appreciate when I was on the bridge.

Transitions remind me of that bridge. There is grief or sadness or trepidation of what you are leaving behind, and uncertainty or excitement about what you are moving toward. You cannot really see the full potential of where you are going but it is there waiting for you. Transitions are not easy, but they are essential for personal growth and learning.  

Tips for Bridging your Next Transition

Acknowledge how you Feel -There are a many, often conflicting emotions when we are in a transition. Acknowledging our various states of mind helps us stay aware and receptive to what is happening.

Be Patient – There is a natural order to transitions and you cannot skip steps. Sometimes this can be quite painful, because you are learning something new, or your environment is changing. Be patient with yourself and those around you. Time is your ally. 

Appreciate the Milestones – Most of us do not like discomfort of any kind. We want to move quickly to the destination, whether that is feeling comfortable in our new job, or comfortable in our new city or comfortable in our new situation. The milestones along the way are also valuable. Remember to enjoy the journey.  

Stay Positive – We have control over our attitude. Staying positive and keeping a good sense of humour will help you tremendously in getting through any transition (and people around you will appreciate it!)

Just like crossing the Carrick-a-Rede bridge, every transition will one day be just a memory.