How to navigate life transitions in a healthy way

One of the only constants in life is change (and taxes!). And even though we know this, change can still feel disappointing, frustrating, exciting, liberating, downright scary—or all of the above. As humans, we get attached to our routines, our current season of life, and it can feel jarring when that’s disrupted.

My youngest son, Gabe, recently got his driver’s license. And even though I knew this was coming and had spent hours with him preparing, I was taken aback by the sense of loss I felt as he drove away on his own the first time. 

It marked a new transition: one where my kids need me less, call me less, and move through the world with more freedom. As a mother, that’s exactly what I want for them – independence, confidence, and growth. 

And yet... It was hard. All the hours we had spent together driving to school or his activities were coming to an end. There was a realization that a significant phase of my life was over. How final!

This experience made me reflect on how change shows up in our lives. How it stretches us. And how, even when we know it’s coming, it still has the power to shake us! Life is always shifting and rearranging, and learning to move with it is one of the most important things we can do. 

I think everyone can think of a transition that deeply shook their reality – their first full time job, the birth of a child, a breakup, the loss of a job, a change in their health, death of a loved one, graduation, marriage. Happy or sad (or anything in between), we all share the experience of change. 

This month I’m discussing transitions, and how to navigate them in a healthy way (without ignoring our emotions, either).

Accepting that change is constant. 

It’s one thing to know that change is constant – it’s another to accept that we can’t stop it from happening. No matter how much we want to hold onto the present moment, we simply can’t stay there forever - and we were never meant to. That truth can be difficult to fully embrace.

And yet, it can also be comforting.

Because just as the good moments pass, so do the hard ones. The struggles we face right now will shift, evolve, and eventually lighten. We are never truly stuck, as change is always happening. 

This is especially empowering to think about during health transformations. They can be filled with ups and downs, changes, and they’re all part of the journey. There were plenty of times I had doubt and fear throughout mine. 

Accepting this reality takes intention and mindfulness every time it shows up in our lives. Unfortunately it’s not a “one and done” mindset shift 🤪. But having a simple mantra or reminder you can return to might help ground you through those transitions. Change is inevitable, and that’s okay.

Going with the flow. 

If you’re anything like me, “go with the flow” probably wasn’t how most people would’ve described you. I remember seasons of my life when I had zero flexibility. I was a busy mom of two young kids AND a primary care doc. There was no room for spontaneity – I had sh*t to do!

It wasn’t until I discovered functional medicine (and tested my own stress hormones) that I realized what I was doing to myself. I believed that running a tight ship, pouring my energy into everyone else, and following the plan to a T was what made me a good mom.

Yes, planning and being prepared are helpful, but we can’t plan or prepare for the unexpected. We have to expect it to some degree so it doesn’t throw us completely off our game. And then we pivot and shift to adjust to the new reality. A little flexibility goes a long way. And everything is “figureoutable” as Marie Forleo says. 

Going easy on yourself. 

Life transitions often come with a grieving process. Even when the change is welcome or positive, there’s usually something we’re leaving behind – an identity, a routine, a place, a season of life. Letting go of what once was and making space for something new can stir up a whole mix of emotions.

Yes, some of those emotions might be joyful or hopeful – but more often than not, they’re complicated. Change can leave us feeling ungrounded, exhausted, or sad.

Just because we accept that change is inevitable, doesn’t mean we have to move through it like emotionless robots. We’re human. And that means we’re going to feel things.

Give yourself permission to feel it all. The sadness, the excitement, the grief, the resistance – whatever it may be for you. Pretending everything is fine or pushing through like nothing’s happening won’t help in the long run. Honoring your emotional experience will.

Processing our feelings is needed so we don’t bury them and allow them to make us physically sick. Emotions are energy in motion and they want and need to be expressed. How to do that? We can call a friend to talk it out, cry, journal, scream into a pillow, exercise, pray, or talk to a counselor. And we might need to do all of those things. 

Of course, there are plenty of times when I wish I could handle change a little better. I often need to bring myself back to these reminders. But here’s a reminder for you: Be kind to yourself. You’re doing better than you think. And you’ve got this! 

If you’re struggling with a transition or want to make a big change, our Health Begins Here Program is just for you. Learn more about how you can get started working with us.

Best of luck with your transitions!