Seasons; a time of new life events, changes, growth.
Journey with me for a second and allow me to set the stage and give you some real life experiences.
Secenario #1. You and your spouse have been saving and working toward obtaining a house for 10 years, and in what can only be described as an act of God, you get approved and eventually close on a house that is so much more than you even dreamed for. Not to mention, you got this amazing house at a price that is best described as a steal. As you just begin to process this blessing and enjoy it, you find out that your family is expanding in 9 months and at work, a major project that you were made for was just added to your portfolio. You literally go from “wow” to “wow” to “wow”. You know without a shadow of a doubt that this is your season!!!
Scenario #2: You have been hounded by a company in another country/state to come and work for them. You've declined a number of times because, well really, your current job is pretty cool. You decide to explore this new job offer after the company contacts you for the 3rd time and the offer blows you away. Literally everything is taken care of. The icing to this new amazing opportunity is that you purchase your dream vehicle and manage to close on a property acquisition all within two months time frame. Seriously, how much better could life get????? wow
Scenario #3. You begin night classes at the local college after being annoyed at your dead-end job. You then take a leap, seemingly silly, and apply AND get accepted to a great university where you will be engaged in a strong programme with leading professionals in the field. Furthermore, the school offers you a scholarship that covers 65% of your tuition costs. Fast forward 4 months later when you get the call to confirm you were selected for another scholarship that leaves you with less than 10% out of pocket fees. Before you blink, you have packed up your entire life, boarded a plane and now sitting looking out the apartment window thinking about the excitement of the first week of classes. Many times since you started packing until now, you have to literally pinch yourself to see if its real. Wow.
Amazing stories, right? I know.
But would you believe, that for every scenario, amidst the “wow” they experience, that the person is also struggling? Overwhelmed. Fatigued. And some other emotions that they have yet to identify. Everyone around them is still rejoicing and it feels like they are grieving.
If we are honest, It just seems to be a lot.
If you haven't experienced an "amazing" series of events or even one major transition, you may not get it. And honestly, those of us who have had similar seasons or transitions, oftentimes opt to ignore those feelings. Because, if we share that we are feeling something other than sheer joy....well, people may think we are just downright ungrateful. I mean really, why are you complaining? Your life is near perfect, right?
Yes. Yes it is pretty near perfect. But even in the midst of perfection what occured is change. And for every change in routine, transition, upgrade, promotion....there is a required adjustment. The adjustment means that what you have come to know..what you find comfortable, is no more. And even when that adjustment is for the better, the adjusting itself is many ways a hypothetical stretch. In the physical sense, stretching is healthy, increasing one's range of motion and should not hurt...however, stretching a muscle that has not been used for a while may result in some discomfort..maybe even pain. And in the hypothetical, what is occuring with transitions is stretching. Instead of range of motion, it is your horizon that has been widened. Your influence increased. Your opportunities multiplied. Similarly so have your responsibilities and expectations.
And this requires as much of a mental adjustment as it does physical changes. You will experience a myriad of feelings from excitement to trepidation, depending on the moment and the requirement of the moment. Take it in strides. You are creating a "new normal" and that is not always easy... at first. Give yourself a break. Allow yourself to feel the weight of what you left behind, while not loosing focus of what you are gaining.
Journal, pray, meditate. Talk with a trusted person, seek counsel (or a coach), find a new mentor. Create a new schedule, organize priority tasks. Again, take it in strides.
Finally, understand that the road ahead is littered with discomforts and not-so-perfect moments, but if you take a step back, you will re-gain the true perspective of the transition. It really is awesome. A blessing AND you were made for this. This is your time. You are able to handle whatever comes.
You can.
You will.
Because you must.
Afterall, what is life without growth.
Grace, peace and love,
Dr Gia