Transitions are messy, uncomfortable, and full of contradictions. But they’re also how we grow.
Have you ever found yourself in a moment where everything you once relied on feels uncertain? Maybe you’re changing jobs, moving cities, or reaching a milestone age that’s made you stop and think, “What am I even doing with my life?”
I’ve been there too. I remember a moment in my late 20s when everything I’d been working towards felt like… nothing. It had lost its meaning, and I felt aimless and lost. The goals I worked so hard for didn’t inspire me anymore, and I wasn’t sure who I was without them. I felt lost, unsteady, and unsure of my next step.
It was one of the most challenging times of my life but that’s for another story.
Here’s what I’ve learned: these periods? These transition periods… they are hard. Really hard. But they’re also an opportunity to strip back what isn’t working and rebuild something truer to who you are. It’s not a straight line, and it’s definitely not always pretty but it’s worth it.
You're stepping away from the familiar, the comfortable, the known. Even if that 'known' wasn't perfect, it was yours.
It was your safe haven, your routine, your identity: What has made you, you. Letting that go? Well, it can feel like leaping off a cliff without a parachute.
Add to that the pressure to have it all figured out, the fear of the unknown whispering doubts in your ear, and the sudden realisation that you might not even recognise yourself in the mirror anymore – and it's no wonder transitions can feel like an emotional freefall.
But you know those messy, raw emotions?
They're not your enemy. They're your guide. They're telling you that you're shedding the old, making space for the new, and becoming more truly you in the process.
So, how do you navigate this emotional rollercoaster? How do you find your footing when the ground feels like quicksand?
Here's what I've learned from my own messy, beautiful transitions:
I remember being 25 and feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. I had a good job, great work mentors, and a wonderfully supportive partner and yet, I couldn't stop the nagging feeling that everything wasn't right. During this period, I kept trying to push down the fear and uncertainty. I brushed it off. Tried "moving on" but it didn’t work. It eventually came crashing in full force :) Which is a story for another day.
So, I did what any sane person would do: I cried. Then, I cried some more.
What helped in the end was hearing someone tell me, "it's okay". And this opened the door to giving myself permission to sit with the discomfort.
Because when we allow ourselves to feel the fear, the grief, the uncertainty (without judgment) we create space for those emotions to move through us. We acknowledge their presence, honour their message, and then, we let them go.
Embrace the chaos.
Have grace.
Be kind.
Ask yourself:
2. Your North Star (Because Sometimes We Get Lost)
Transitions have this incredible way of shaking us awake.
I think they force us to confront the big questions: What truly matters to me? What kind of life do I want to create? Who am I, beneath all the labels and expectations?
For me, realising that time with loved ones, creativity and freedom were non-negotiable meant leaving the corporate world behind and embracing the uncertainty of entrepreneurship.
It was scary, exhilarating, yet ultimately, the most liberating decision I ever made.
3. Baby Steps, My Friend (No Need to Leap Tall Buildings)
Reinvention sounds glamorous, doesn't it? But in reality, trying to overhaul your entire life overnight is a recipe for burnout and dare I say it, disaster. So, let's go slow.
Instead, focus on those sweet, tiny steps that move you forward.
One Step at a Time:
The Path Unfolds:
4. Build a Support Crew (Because We All Need a Cheerleading Squad)
Like a hero's journey, our own personal transitions can feel lonely. Even if you enjoy solitude and absolutely love hanging out with you, it can feel lonely. I know I have.
Sometimes it feels like you're the only one who's ever stumbled, questioned, or felt completely lost at sea. But trust me, you're not alone.
Reach Out:
Share Your Story:
5. Embrace the Stumbles (Because Life is a Dance, Not a March)
It took me years to learn that growth isn't a linear journey.
It's a squiggley one.
There will be days when you stumble, fall, and maybe even want to crawl back into bed and hide under the covers. Maybe even cry. That's okay. It's part of the dance!
Transitions are tough. They'll push you to your limits, challenge your beliefs, and maybe even break your heart open. But they're also where the magic happens.
They're where you discover your resilience, your strength, your true self.
So, breathe.
Trust the process. And take that first step, even if it's just putting one foot in front of the other.
You've got this.
Feeling stuck? Lost in the wilderness of change? Download my free“Journaling Prompts for Life Transitions” workbook and start uncovering your inner compass. These prompts helped me navigate my own messy transitions, and I hope they can do the same for you.
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