A Woman in Transition…From What to What?

Gail Sheehy wrote the book Passages several years ago about how the body goes through ‘passages’ every 7 seven years or so. As it matures it evolves from infant to child, teenager and young adult to adult, crone and so on. With each of these life transitions changes are made and difficulties are overcome. On the other side of these transformations there is a new you. The infant no longer cares for certain toys after the age of 7 and the teenage girl gives up dolls for boys are a couple of simple examples.

Changes can be rough patches in our lives but the reward is the stronger you. We are all different and we each have our own unique style for navigating through the changes life presents us. As a woman of a certain age you have survived a myriad of different circumstances in your life; the kind that were planned and the kind that were not.

But change can also be a time for adventure and exploration; a time for unearthing some of those forgotten dreams you once had no time for and to finally making them a reality. It can feel a little like the time when those college exams were finally behind you and you became a graduate. With your degree in hand and a world of possibilities before you the time had come to make decisions about what you would do with your knowledge. Like the graduate, this elevation to your new station in life and sudden freedom can be a little overwhelming. It can feel like a big decision. Sometimes the weight and gravity of it all can be a little paralyzing; where to start, how to be sure what is best and sometimes it can create fear and inertia. But for the woman of a certain age time is precious and passing and to waste it is to risk a final irrevocable lesson; regret.

The thought of running from change is tempting but quite normal. In fact, statistics show most people would prefer everything stay the same in their lives rather than deal with the anxiety and stress of change. But change is part of life and inevitable. With every change there comes a choice. We can choose to ignore, dread and run from it or we can choose to confront and embrace it and all the juicy opportunities this time in our lives can offer.

If you decide to make the most of it, and I hope you do, here are a few simple tips will help you with the process:

Think of change as a chance to rethink and revise your behaviors, routines, beliefs and goals.
Recognize that during any transition it is normal to experience fear, anxiety and uncertainty at times.
Don’t allow fear to paralyze you. Counter-balance these emotions with more positive ones.
Focus on and celebrate your accomplishments and tap into your confidence.
Look for messages and learning from your past transitions.
Begin to take some risks and put yourself out there and have some fun!

Change is inevitable and will happen whether you want it to or not. By conquering your fear you can begin to live your life by design, not default! Are you ready for a change?