Times of Transition: Is that Holiday Music I Hear?

If you live in Chicago, you know what it’s like to witness the seasons changing each year. We are often surprised by the change, but yet, we experience this every year! 

Times of transition, including the beauty of a changing season, can bring a complex mix of emotions and responses that many of us struggle to identify. 

It’s easy to forget that times of transition can take a toll on our mental, emotional, and physical health.

Change and transition can cause subconscious anxiety or stress, which might come out in ways that look like a short-temper, irritability, a lower/darker mood, having a harder time communicating clearly with loved ones, or feeling more tired than usual. These responses in our nervous system can affect our physical energy, wakefulness, and motivation to keep up with healthy routines (e.g., exercise or a healthy diet). To help manage through transition, it’s important to “go back to basics” by taking time to evaluate rest, diet, and exercise. Are you getting a good night’s rest? Have you moved your body yet today? Are you getting distracted easily at night and not prioritizing sleep?

Importantly, you are not alone in any of this. In the grand scheme of things, everyone around you is experiencing some kind of transition, whether that’s the holidays fast approaching, the change in season, managing daylight savings time, or experiencing general stress in career or relationships. Not to mention the multitude of community and worldwide systemic events that have a never-ending presence in our news and social media. Sometimes a time of transition and our responses to it can make us feel alone or isolated, but it’s important to talk about what you’re facing and see that actually many people around you are struggling with similar experiences. 

You’ve been through transitions before; we’ve managed many Chicago winters in the past, and we will manage this one when it comes. For now, remain present and grounded in your surroundings, look up at fall colors in the trees, appreciate the crisp crunchiness of those beautifully colored leaves, and take time to make the necessary adjustments at home (such as rearranging your closet or sealing up those windows). It’s very important that during a time of transition, we take stock of what good supports we have and try to remain aware of the changes in our mood/emotions. Try your best to step into whatever next phase of your life is next by going easy on yourself: 

It’s okay to struggle with change. 

It’s okay to feel frustrated by something out of our control. 

It’s okay to grieve the loss of a passing season.

Therapists at Perspective are right there with you. Reach out today to schedule an appointment for life transitions counseling.