8 Reminders for Change & Transition
When we have tools and lifelines that are simple, practical and accessible we give ourselves the possibility of not just surviving change but actually learning from it and dare I even say......enjoying it (*gasps*).
8 Reminders (& Tools) for Change & Transition
Breath
Our breath is our most important anchor in our life especially during transitions. Not only is it a tool that can help manage stress and anxiety but as we bring our attention to our inhale we are reminded of a new beginning, a new moment that is always available to us. As we exhale we are reminded of endings and letting go. And when we focus on the moment in between, when there is simply being, we begin to get comfortable with the liminal space of the unknown.
Various forms of Breathwork have been important anchors for me in managing anxiety as well as moving energy.
Nervous System
Transitions can be very dysregulating. When we feel like our foundation, the things that have been keeping us together and/or stable, starts to change or crumble it’s very normal for the nervous system to freak out……but it doesn’t have to stay there. I will always come back to the importance of the nervous system because the more we can learn to self-regulate the more we can stay present and have the space to appropriately deal with nuances and varying emotional states while having more access to clear decision making and sustainable action.
Modalities that can support the nervous system:
Acupuncture (if you're in the LA area and you're looking for affordable / accessible care)
Qi Gong (online)
Gratitude
Gratitude is a lifeline at all times but particularly during transitions. It not only helps us connect to all that we have learned from our previous chapter (and allows us to more easily let go) but it also helps us to stay present if we find ourselves trying to rush to get to the other side. Gratitude is not meant to bypass our emotional experience; however, it can help keep our hearts open when it can be very easy for us to want to close down and shut off and "push through."
One of the first things I do in the morning is simple say "thank you for letting me wake to see another day."
Play/Laughter
Change and transitions can bring up A LOT and as necessary as it is to regulate and hold our big emotions with compassion and care, it’s just as important to remember to allow ourselves to laugh and play. It’s not always easy, and sometimes we may even need to force ourselves to do it (I often will just fake laugh until I am actually laughing), but allowing ourselves to access states of joy can be just as healing as processing pain, grief, fear, etc. In fact, it can give us more capacity and levity when it is time to hold those more challenging emotional states.
Lately I've been taking a weekly dance class (or just dance in my room) or watch animal videos when I need to connect to a lighter place.
Community
While our journeys might be specific to us, it doesn’t mean we have to go through it alone - and we aren't meant to. We tend to get caught in the thinking that "no one will understand" what we are going through or that we are a burden and that couldn’t be further from the truth. More times than not, we are going through similar journeys and even if that's not true, it's ok. We can still have the courage to be vulnerable with those we feel safe with.
We can find the people in our lives that can help hold (not solve) what’s showing up for us and make our journeys less lonely and more loving.
Professional Support
Sometimes our changes and transitions are too big for us to handle on our own and that’s ok. Like with community, we aren’t meant to do all of this alone. I know professional support is not always accessible / available, but if it is, it can be a lifeline when it feels like it’s too much.
It’s ok not to be ok!
Prayer
It doesn’t matter what or who you believe in but when we can connect to something bigger than ourselves, we begin to release control; we begin to open ourselves up to receiving support and guidance from beyond our thinking brains and expand into the infinite possibility of signs, intuition and support that is trying to make our way to us.
If you don’t believe in something bigger, give it over to Earth; to Mother Nature. Let Her help you absorb what might feel too big to hold on your own.
"Please show me the way" is a whole prayer.
With ease,
Bianca