How to Feel Calm During Massive Change
5 simple practices to navigate chaos and transition
December is a month of completion. The current growth cycles stop, businesses close out their revenues, and we review our accomplishments for the year nearing its end. We view the end of the year as a completed cycle. With each completion, we move into a transition space and often feel uncertain about what’s next.
At the same time, as individuals go through changes, humanity is in a transition. As a collective, we are raising our consciousness and bringing more light into our bodies. These transitions are complex, and you may feel off-center, stressed, and anxious.
Transition is often a rocky road. Last summer, we went hiking with our kids and four grandsons around a beautiful lake in Montana. The road to the lake was bouncy, full of gaps and boulders, gullies, and potholes excavated from long winters and the cars that traversed it during fair weather. It shook us up and down and back and forth.
The road, or off-road path, went on and on. However, what waited for us at the end of that bumpy road was worth the ride. Fairy Lake was our destination.
As a family, we strolled around the lake while our four grandsons ran, found sticks, and skipped rocks. The color of the water and the light gave the lake a magical feel. And the peace surrounding the lake was palpable.
Life is like that. We go through many transitions. It can feel like a series of bumps, twists, and turns that shake us to the core. And when we reach a stopping point, we can feel serene compared to the chaos we've experienced. Sometimes it feels good, and sometimes it doesn't. See last week's post for insight on how to adapt to challenging circumstances.
I've shared that I'm working through the first revision of my novel. It's messy. At first, it seemed overwhelming, but after several months of mental wrestling, I finally sorted out how to straighten out my mess.
These in-between states are called liminal spaces. Sometimes, people want to give up during these difficult situations. It's the gap between making your decision and getting to the answer. It's time that stretches between a life change and when your energy returns or you find a 'new normal.' It is like letting go of the trapeze bar and not knowing who will catch you or where to reach for the next bar. It's unsettling.
For over twenty years, I've worked with people in liminal spaces. They know where they've been but are unsure what's next and how to move forward. Based on my work with others and growth through personal transitions, here are five things you can do to keep calm(er) during a life transition.
Acknowledge what's happening in your body, mind, and spirit.
What do you feel? What emotions are present? What facts do you have to support where you are? What is working? What is not working? Be present and be OK with where you are. Name your emotions and your challenges.
Writing your thoughts and feelings in a journal is an effective way to connect with your body, mind, and spirit.
Create a grounding practice.
Every day, do one thing to keep grounded. That could be standing on the ground, leaning against a tree, or mindfully eating a wholesome meal and appreciating the people who brought you this food, including yourself.
Yoga and tai chi or qigong settle and ground your energy. Feeling connected to your body supports you and facilitates clear thinking and emotions.
Meditate each day.
Meditating looks different for everyone. For some, it may be to sit quietly and focus on breathing. For others, meditation can be more active, such as walking or hiking in nature.
The purpose is to disconnect from the monkey mind, the ego state that drives us and can confuse us. Don't worry if your mind seems busy while you meditate. This is a transition within a transition.
With practice, you'll adapt to less mind chatter and feel more peace in your body. This practice is essential to my life, and I feel 'off' if I neglect this practice.
Work with a guide, mentor, or coach.
Sometimes, working with a coach, mentor, or therapist will help with your emotional struggles. If you feel confused, overwhelmed, and frustrated, it can help to work with a trained professional. Or someone you trust to keep you calm, diffuse your frustration, and guide you to move forward.
I've either worked with a personal coach or been in coaching and personal growth programs for over twenty years. I've worked with the same coach for over ten years, and I wouldn’t be without a mentor or coach because I know how much I’ve grown.
Here is a link to schedule a 20-minute complimentary consultation with me on your transition. I've coached and mentored leaders and entrepreneurs for over twenty years.
Ride it out.
The saying, 'This too shall pass,' applies to all transition times. The most important thing you can do is to take steps forward. You can handle most life transitions by focusing on the insights and tips I share in these posts. If you can't sort it out yourself and your situation doesn't improve, you may want to seek support. Follow your intuition's guidance on who is best to support you.
You can navigate change, chaos, and transitions with less stress.
The steps above are life practices you can create to sustain energy in your body, mind, and spirit. They will support you through any transition you choose or is thrust upon you. Transitions still affect me, but I can manage them with less stress and less unproductive worrying.
We all go through rocky periods, and I wish you peace and calm during these changing times.
May you be blessed.
May you be peaceful.
May you be ever loved.
May you always be loving.
- Thich Nhat Hanh
Thank you for naming and acknowledging these liminal states-of-being we all pass through. Usually with little awareness. I will be gentler with myself during these times, thanks to you. Linda
This arrived in perfect time. Thank you for the reminder to stop and take a breath and remember this too shall pass. XO