Life Transition

Life transitions are significant changes that shift the rhythm of your daily life. Some transitions are planned, like starting university, moving, or retirement. Others are unexpected, such as job loss, illness, role changes, or the end of a relationship. Even exciting changes, like becoming a parent or starting a new career can feel stressful.

I often explain that transitions are stressful because they ask our minds and bodies to adjust to something unfamiliar which creates uncertainty. Human beings thrive on routine, and when change disrupts that, our nervous system may respond with anxiety, sadness, or even physical tension.

Why Transitions Can Be Difficult

• Loss of identity: You may no longer feel like “your old self” and are still figuring out who you are in this new chapter.
• Uncertainty: The brain tends to see the unknown as a threat, which can heighten stress and worry.
• Grief and adjustment: Even positive transitions can mean letting go of something important.
• Relationship shifts: Changes in roles can create strain with partners, family, or colleagues

Skipping meals, staying up too late, and forgetting self-care might feel harmless, but your nervous system doesn’t get the memo. Without consistency, it swings between hyper-alert chaos and sluggish exhaustion, leaving you anxious, jittery, or completely wiped out. The good news? Even small, simple routines—like a morning stretch, a consistent bedtime, or a short mindfulness practice—can help your nervous system calm down.

Me, personally? I’ve been trying to find routine for about ... my whole life. I opt for the small, simple routines to regulate. Otherwise, I have a theory that my nervous system believes I’m dying a slow painful death of boredom when I try to be too strict in my day-to-day, and an impromptu trip to Italy usually gets booked at this point…

These reactions are normal, but without healthy coping strategies, they can lead to longer-term stress, anxiety, or depression. Life transitions are inevitable, but they don’t have to feel unmanageable. With the right tools and support (which may or may not include encouraging you to book a trip to Italy), you can move through change with greater confidence and clarity.