Riding the Waves of Change: What It Is and What You Can Do About It

Navigating Transition Periods

Transitions or change, whether personal or professional, can feel like entering uncharted waters. They stir up discomfort, uncertainty, and sometimes grief, even when the change can be seen as positive or necessary. Examples of transitions can be:

·       Changing school or jobs

·       Birthdays

·       Retirement

·       Divorce

·       Marriage

·       Death

·       End of holidays

·       Back to school

·       Menopause

….to name a few.

What are the signs and symptoms of transition/ change?

• difficulty concentrating

• Mood swings, ranging from irritability to unexpected sadness or euphoria

• Loss of motivation or direction

• Ambivalence: simultaneous pull between old and new roles or identities

• Sleep changes,

• Fatigue, even with rest

• Somatic tension, such as tight chest, jaw, or gut discomfort

• Shifts in appetite, digestion, or hormonal sensitivity (especially in life-stage transitions like perimenopause)

• Fluctuating energy levels, from bursts of restlessness to depletion

• Withdrawal or craving connection

• Irritability in close relationships

• Restlessness

We can also lose a sense of ourselves and our purpose in life. Losing part of ourselves yet discovering different parts we may not know.  Change can feel unsettling and create anxiety, however there is something you can do to anchor yourself during these uncertain times.

Here's how to support yourself (or others) through them

Name what’s changing: Whether it’s a role, identity, relationship, or physical stage (like perimenopause), naming it gives you clarity and agency.

Acknowledge mixed feelings: Joy and sorrow can coexist. Let ambivalence have space, it’s valid.

Honour the ending: Create a small ritual or reflection to mark what you’re letting go of. This process helps integrate the past.

Breathwork can soothe the nervous system and reconnect you with inner strength.

Gentle movement like walking or yoga can support regulation.

Body mapping: Identify where you hold tension or grief and then draw, write, or gently touch these areas with intention

Journaling: write down your thoughts and feelings and find examples of gratitude in each day, however small.

It can help to talk through those changes, to help make sense and gain a deeper understanding. Contact me on my website www.dowricktherapy.com to find out more or if you’d like a free 20 minute initial assessment. Also email me on emmadowrick6@gmail.com