Navigating Life Transitions: Thoughts from an Overland Park Therapist

Have you ever gone through a life transition and thought to yourself: Why am I struggling so much? Shouldn’t I be able to get over this and move on?

The reality is that we all go through life transitions; this is a normal part of being a human. Sometimes, these transitions are exciting ones that bring us joy, such as starting a new job, getting married, or buying a new house. Other times, these transitions are difficult ones that come with sadness or anger, such as losing a parent, going through a challenging divorce, or being diagnosed with a chronic illness. Still, other times, life transitions can be a mix of both. For example, sending your kid away to college for the first time can make you feel excited, hopeful, proud, sad, and nervous all at the same time.

Whether these transitions are exciting ones, difficult ones, or a little bit of both, life transitions can feel difficult and complicated to process because they often require that we let go of familiarity and control. Transitions inherently mean that we’re dealing with some type of change, which can feel scary. As you navigate a life transition, you might find yourself having to let go of expectations, dreams, routines, or even familiar relationships. You might even find yourself grieving these losses while also holding onto the hope of what’s to come.

And here’s the thing: the truth is that both things can be true.

You can grieve that which is ending while also feeling hopeful for a new chapter. If that feels confusing to believe, or you find yourself feeling stuck or lost, that’s alright. You don’t have to navigate this alone. Maybe right now, the grief of what you’re leaving behind feels bigger than the hope for what’s to come- if so, that’s okay too. There’s no pressure to make yourself feel anything that isn’t true.

If you’re going through a life transition and it’s starting to feel overwhelming, therapy can be a place for you to make some sense of what you’re going through. You don’t have to have everything figured out before coming to therapy. Together, you and your therapist can create a space for you to explore what this transition means for you and who you’re becoming on the other side of it.