I write this blog post on the eve of so many transitions ahead. For the last year and almost a half, I lived in my mom’s house while my house has slowly been transformed. When I moved into her house two days before she ultimately passed, I had no idea about the transitions to come. What they say about construction is true: it will take twice the time and twice the budget. In my case it wasn’t just two times anything! That said, I sit in an empty house tonight hopeful for what’s to come with her place and for my life as I transition to what would have been my normal just a year or so ago. And that’s not it, tomorrow will be the final phase to my double mastectomy. While my decision for the procedure was easy to make, the healing hasn’t been so fun. I’ve learned that I have physical limits for the first time in my life and that no, I’m not superwoman, which was a real shock to my system.
2021 has been full of transition for me personally and that was after the crazy 2020 that we experienced on top of my the biggest transition of my mom’s passing. I’ve spent most of this time dealing with the loss: the loss of my parent, the loss of friends, and the loss of my health. You think I’d be used to it by now I guess, but while I still am shocked every time it comes around. But here’s how I pushing forward into this new season. This new season of hope, health, and adventure. Here are some key pieces that I’m learning about transition from my life that hopefully, will help you as you transition into a new season:
- Feel all the feels. It’s part of life. You were made with emotion, whether you like it or not. There’s moments of great hope and despair all wrapped up into one. There’s times of joy and excitement, and fear of the unknown. Every day feels like a bit of a roller coaster — and that’s okay! Feel them all.
- Give yourself permission to be you. I’m a crier. I watch a commercial and can feel tears well up in my eyes. For a really long time, I lived under this lie that I was too emotional. Well, it’s probably true. But it’s me. It’s the way I’ve been my whole life and to take it out of the equation now wouldn’t be right and true to who I am. So here’s your permission slip: be you. Transition is a pruning process that will bring you back to your basics, so embrace them.
- Enjoy the process. Gosh I can’t stand that phrase! But it’s true! Transition will take time. You might be starting something new, venturing out of your comfort zone, or getting back to your basics and it won’t happen in one day. Some days will be better than others. But on those tough days, remind yourself of your ‘why’ and then remember that each new day brings new mercies for a re-start.
- Change your mindset. It can be easy to get caught up in the loss while in transition. I know from personal experience and it will kick you while you are down. Do what you need to do to re-focus by changing your mindset for the potential and opportunity that’s to come. Try meditation, prayer, walking, gratitude journal, affirmations, anything! Easier said than done, but when we lift our eyes off of our feet wondering where we are going, we can look up to see what’s ahead.
So tonight I’ll sit back and take my own advice. I’ll probably have some tears to show for this new season that’s upon me and those that aren’t around to see it come to fruition. Tomorrow will be my re-start into my new season of physical and mental health along with a stepping out of my comfort zone by getting back to my basics, my overemotional basics, at that.
My encouragement to you is to think through the thing that’s holding you back from transitioning into your new season. What about it seems so big, tough, or scary? Remind yourself that you are strong, capable, and willing to do this. Take one step forward in stepping into your new season! You can do the hard things!
Building Bridges 