Life Transition Counselling
A life transition essentially means experiencing some form of change that requires one to adjust or adapt. These changes may be planned, such as a marriage, the birth of a baby, or graduation. Or, they may be without any warning, such as a loss of career or losing someone you love.
Whether the change is positive or negative, leaving what we know behind or facing a new future can be challenging. Therefore, having the proper tools can lead to personal growth.
Life transition and life satisfaction
The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) conducted a 12-year survey on the satisfaction of life transitions among individuals 15 years old and older. According to their findings, the varied life transitions and their correlation with life satisfaction showed:
• Declines of satisfaction from the age of 15 to early 20s
• Decreases from the early 20s to mid-30s
• At the lowest level from the mid-30s to the early 50s
• Begins to improve from the early 50s until the late 60s
• Remains steady and high from the late 60s to the early 80s
• Slightly declines from the early 80s but with higher levels of satisfaction than in earlier stages of life
How Change Affects Us
Life transitions are an inevitable part of life, whether becoming a teenager or young adult, graduating high school, or starting a new job.
Still, regardless if they are positive changes, it can be terrifying because most individuals have an innate desire to preserve what they already know. Now, you have to face the unfamiliar and this whole new world around you.
When change occurs, it is also not uncommon to be confused about one's circumstances or identity. Questions such as why you didn't get to make the decision, whether people will like you, or why this is even happening can leave you feeling lost and alone.
Types of Life Transitions
There are several types of life transitions that some people might find gratifying and, for others, downright devastating. However, sometimes when we turn the page, it often leads to a new and exciting chapter of our lives – one that might not have happened had it not shifted.
Some examples of life transitions include:
1. Marriage/new partnership
Forming a new relationship or getting married can be one of life's most joyous yet scariest milestones. You are taking a leap of faith with someone, making a whole new life together, and relying on mutual understanding, compromise, and support for one another.
2. Divorce/breakup
Separation and divorce can be one of the most devastating events to occur. You made a life together and thought it would last forever, only for it to end. It can be even more disheartening if you have children. Plus, finances may become an issue, whether due to alimony, child support, or no dual family income.
Others might find that ending the relationship was the best thing to have happened for themselves or their family, especially if there was constant arguing or abuse.
3. Moving
Moving to another state or country can simultaneously be an exciting yet terrifying leap. You now have to adapt to different cultures and lifestyles. Plus, leaving family and friends can make it more challenging to adjust. In contrast, some people are happy to leave their old life behind and start entirely fresh and make new friends.
4. Starting a new school
The transition from elementary school to middle school to high school can also be another exciting milestone where some kids look forward to meeting new people and maturing. However, it can also be nerve-wracking for other individuals who prefer familiarity and have difficulty adjusting to different places and faces. School plays a significant role in a student’s identity.
5. Mid-life adjustments
We spend all these years raising our children, only for them to leave home one day. And though it’s a given that it will eventually happen, if we don’t mentally prepare ourselves over time, the grief and loss of empty-nest syndrome can leave us without a sense of purpose or identity.
Other parents might be looking forward to this new transition in their life. They now have this independence and are no longer responsible for caring for someone daily. Plus, they finally have a chance to do things they may not have had time to do before.
When Things Become Too Much to Handle
Change can be scary, and not everyone is prepared for it or adjusts to it well. However, that doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with you. Therefore, if you find that your transition is too difficult to tackle by yourself, seeking counselling is a great way to teach you proper coping mechanisms. Plus, you don’t have to wait until you are at your lowest point. If there is a planned future change, preparing yourself ahead of time can help you transition more smoothly.
Talk Therapy
Although there are several methods to treat someone who struggles with life transitions, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), one form of talk therapy, is very beneficial in treating depression and anxiety. This method helps you to understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviour are connected.
Some techniques may include:
• Identify faulty thinking
• Challenge distorted thinking
• Explore causes of negative thinking patterns
• Reframe or restructure how you perceive situations
Some calming techniques may include journaling, meditation, mindfulness, and progressive muscle relaxation.
How Mental Health Counselling with Sami Can Help You
When a life transition occurs, many individuals feel like their pain will never disappear. They might struggle with depression, anxiety, and loneliness due to these changes. However, you don’t have to go it alone.
With Sami as your counsellor, you will work together on how to cope with stress, accept change, overcome fear and anxiety, and define and reach your goals.
Go Easy on Yourself
Life transitions can impact even the most secure individual. Many of us don't want to shake that foundation because it's safe, whereas change is unknown. However, there is nothing wrong with you for feeling that way. Therefore, give yourself a break and reach out to Sami to get your life back on track.
