Change is never easy, yet it’s always around us. Sometimes it hits us over the head (like divorce, career changes, moving, or loss). Other times, it’s lurking around the corner. And most times, it’s underway even when we’re unaware.”
“My father lived by the adage ‘the only constant is change.’ As for me, I sidestepped change, avoiding uncertainty whenever possible.”
“After a well-organized high school stint, I applied to college and graduate school early, securing a sense of my future. It worked for a while. Until it didn’t. I realized these decisions shielded me from admitting I was petrified of not having a clear path. Those early acceptances hindered me from uncovering what I truly desired.”
“Post-graduate school, I hit a crossroads, uncertain of my direction. To call it a pause is kind; it felt more like a breakdown—a tough reality that life’s a journey of transitions, rarely scripted.”
“A few years later, yet another career and personal shift arrived. I found myself clutching at certainties to dodge uncertainty. Browsing through more graduate school options, clinging to the notion of fixed work, I realized I needed transition time. Facing discomfort, I embraced a healing and being period.”
“Some say the only way out is through. No shortcuts. To navigate this transition, I picked up a few tools along the way:”
“Break the cycle of caring what others think.”
“At times, acquaintances would ask, ‘What are you doing now?’ I’d cringe, concocting impressive yet untrue responses like ‘learning astrophysics’ or ‘becoming a ballet dancer.’ Our society praises success; pausing is seldom endorsed. Once I let go of self-judgment, their questions mattered less, helping me settle into my transition.”
“Learn to just be, wherever you are.”
“Pause for a day, an hour, or a lunch break. Stop planning, acting, reading self-help, and just relax. No emails, no solutions, power down. Whatever’s ongoing can wait. This practice eases real pauses.”
“Embrace that quick fixes don’t exist.”
“In our pursuit of the next opportunity, be it personal or professional, we’re tempted to accept anything to end the search.”
“A friend advised dating ‘the second-best-guy,’ taking any job. That didn’t work for me. These attempts only returned me to square one, more disheartened. Genuine things take time. Worthwhile things are worth waiting for. They’re why we left what wasn’t working.”
“Prioritize activities that ground you.”
“Transitions can overwhelm. Making simple decisions gets tough. It’s tempting to numb the unease. Instead of dwelling on resumes, emails, or Facebook, take a walk, sing a song, bake a cake, or read a book. Find your center daily. Commit.”
“Though I’m not where I want to be, I’m closer each day. Embracing transitions, as their wisdom suggests, propels us toward our desired destination.”
“With time, transitioning softens; we find respite, possibilities, and strength within uncertainty.”
